How to Keep the Shape of Dress Shoes

Take the time to care for your shoes after wearing them.

Dress shoes lose their formal, elegant appeal when they look worn, creased or banged up. Moisture, along with improper storage, are the main culprits in causing your leather shoes to become worn down, no matter how high the quality. Taking care of your shoes immediately after wearing them can keep them looking their best.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe trees
• Cool closet
• Shoe horn

Instructions

1. Place moisture-absorbing cedar shoe trees into your shoes immediately after wearing them. The shoe trees help the shoes to keep their shape while also wicking any perspiration away from the leather.

2. Keep your leather dress shoes away from heat and store them in a closet that is on the cool side. Heat, such as from a furnace, hair dryer or some other source, can dry the leather out and cause it to rapidly break down and age.

3. Use a shoe horn when putting the dress shoes on. Shoe horns protect the back of the shoe and help prevent them from breaking down.

Tips & Warnings

• Stuff rolled up pairs of cotton socks or pieces of newspaper in your shoes if you do not have cedar shoe trees. The cotton or paper can help the shoes to retain their shape while absorbing some of the moisture. Shoe trees are best, but in a pinch, socks or paper will do the trick.

• Avoid wearing your dress shoes two days in a row, if possible. Giving them a day's rest can help them dry out and retain their shape.

References

• Johnston & Murphy: Shoe Care Tips