Jordan McGilvray

Shining shoes is an essential step in learning to care for your shoes.  How your shoes appear affect every outfit from business casual to formal.  Many men simply do not know how to properly shine their shoes and until recently I was one of them.

Why Shine Shoes

Shoes, especially those made out of leather and vinyl need regular maintenance to look their best.  Leather scrapes, and scratches over time. The layers that hold the black dye will eventually wear off.  Worn, and not treated shoes made from leather begin to show signs of wear, and to wear out.  Shining shoes renews the leather and its color; it hides the scrapes and scratches.  Regularly shining shoes will keep your shoes looking nice for years.

How to Shine Shoes

How I shine my shoes, which delivers a good shine which I believe will build up over time:

1. Remove the shoe laces.
2. Clean the shoes with water and a washcloth or rag.
3. Dry the shoes, or allow them to air dry.
4. Use a sponge or rag to apply shoe polish to the shoe in circular motions all over the shoe.
5. All polish to dry slightly; usually as long as it takes to polish the other shoe.
6. Use a shoe shine brush to brush off excess polish.
7. Allow polish to dry.
8. Use the rag to lightly wash the shoe with water.
9. Dry the shoe, or allow it to dry.
10. Use a sponge or rag to apply shoe polish to the shoe in circular motions all over the shoe.
11. All polish to dry slightly; usually as long as it takes to polish the other shoe.
12. Use a shoe shine brush to brush off excess polish.

The process of washing and polishing can be done as often as you like.  I tend to see good results after the two steps I have outlined above.  There are some variations to shining shoes I have seen online.  Some people only shine the toes and heels to a bright shine.  Use my shining procedure as a starting point for your own success, find the system which will work for you.  Please don’t rely solely on the magic shoe shine sponges!

I have been learning how to look better when I dress in a suit.  The following is a list of rules and suggestions I have found.

Rules for Wearing a Man’s Suit

1. Match all metals (buckles, cuff-links, watches & watch chains) to the same color families: gold, brass, copper silver, nickel, steel
2. Match all leather (belt, shoes, watch band) to the same colors.  The colors are usually black and brown
3. Black, charcoal suits get black leather
4. Brown, blue suits get brown leather
5. White and light blue shirts are classics and will always look good
6. Socks need to match the suit
7. Classic tie patterns — stripes, solid, paisley
8. The tie colors should complement the suit
9. Wear a pocket square
10. Match a color in the pocket square to the tie, but do not match the pattern
11. You can not go wrong with a good quality hat, just find a style and color which fits your suits
12. Pocket watches and chains are a nice addition to a three piece suit.
13. Three piece suits are a little nicer than two piece suits.
14. Make sure the tie ends at the point where your slacks begin.

These are just the beginning rules of looking good in a suit.  There are other accessories which bring their own rules.

One last topic about wearing a suit which I would like to bring up is polishing shoes.  Shoes should be polished at least once a week if they are worn regularly.  This give us time to decide if they need to be repaired or replaced before putting them into action again.  Shoe need regular maintenance and cleaning.  Part of that maintenance is polishing.  Take the time to learn how to nicely polish your shoes.  Do not always rely on the quickie polish sponge to get them to their best.