Basic shoe question - Why do some brown leathers have a "smoky" appearance?

[sportin_life]

This might be a really simple question, but I didn't really start appreciating shoes until recently. I noticed that some AE browns have a "smoked" appearance, which lends to their attractiveness.

For example, the Bel Air's have the look:

http://www.endless.com/dp/B0015MLXU8...SIN=B0015MLXU8

I also have a pair of Eastons with that smoked appearance too.

What causes this? Is it natural in the leather or do they stain it in a particular way?

 

[rebel222]

They stain it. They call it a burnished finish.

 

[Srynerson]

Originally Posted by sportin_life

This might be a really simple question, but I didn't really start appreciating shoes until recently. I noticed that some AE browns have a "smoked" appearance, which lends to their attractiveness.

For example, the Bel Air's have the look:

http://www.endless.com/dp/B0015MLXU8...SIN=B0015MLXU8

I also have a pair of Eastons with that smoked appearance too.

What causes this? Is it natural in the leather or do they stain it in a particular way?

I believe it's the staining process that causes that. JL's shoes made with "museum calf" have a similar look.

 

[entrero]

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=45530

 

[pebblegrain]

For shoes like AE it mainly consists of plain shoe polish applied by someone who does it hundreds of times per day

 

[HarleyBob]

It's form too many years of hard living. Try frequenting the cigar shops and neighborhood bars every night and you too will have a smokey, worn look.

 

[koolhistorian]

Its called burnishing - apply darker color wax on certain spots. The JL musem calf is obtained by the tanning process (before staining)!