Quality leather shoes can withstand years of wear and tear. Great construction combined with timeless design make them classic essentials in any wardrobe. But what happens when you want a bit of change to follow current trends? Instead of tossing out your favorite shoes, you can easily alter their color. With some painting and dyeing products from a local craft/fabric shop or an online store like Amazon, you can give your old favorites a new life and a new modern twist. Get ready to be trendy!

Strip leather shoes of dirt and oils by applying leather stripper with a clean cloth, rubbing to remove any oil or sheen. This will help the paint stick to the leather.

Protect areas of the shoes that you do not want painted by covering these spots in masking tape.

Prepare your painting area by covering it in old newspapers or a tarp to prevent possible paint stains and splatter.

Test the paint on a blank sheet of paper to get a feel for how the brushed paint or spray paint works. It will also give you a better idea of how much paint you will need and how to apply it.

Apply thin coats of the paint with long strokes. If using spray paint, hold the can vertically about 12" away from each shoe and spray evenly using a sweeping motion. It's okay to see the original color peeking through.

Let shoes dry for about 2 hours. Apply second and third coats as needed.

Polish the shoes lightly with a leather shoe polish, following the directions on the container.

Again, prep your workspace by putting down tarp or newspaper. Strip leather shoes of dirt and oils by applying leather stripper with a clean cloth, rubbing to remove any oil or sheen. This will help the dye stick to the leather.

Apply a thin first coat of dye evenly with the brush. Let this coat dry for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Apply a second coat of dye. Let dry for 2 hours.

Lightly buff shoe with a clean cloth to even out application. Use a polish on the cloth for a glossy finish.

Seal the dye with a leather dye sealer.