Got AE's, What Now?

[Mr.Perdition]

I picked up a pair of AE Coltons in chestnut and a Bentley in black. They are really my first quality pair of dress shoes and I'd like to treat them well. Any links as to where to start? I'm a complete shoe newbie (a "Shoebie"?).

I guess first is to buy cedar shoe trees. Do I need to do anything to the shoe before I start wearing them? There was a thread a week ago about shoe care that mentioned conditioning and putting in rubber soles. Are rubber soles recommended?

Also, I've never owned a chestnut shoe. What goes well with it? Charcoal gray, browns, blue? Conversely, are there color/style combinations that are verboten? Any links with photos would really help. I hesitate to ask the same about the black shoe since I know there are some fairly strong opinions

 

[AlanC]

Doesn't the Bentley already have rubber soles?

Personally, I wouldn't put rubber soles (topys) on the Coltons, but that's your call.

Buying shoe trees is a must. Also, I would recommend treating them with some shoe cream or conditioner and then giving them a couple of light coats of polish before wearing them out.

The chestnut Colton ought to be very versatile. I don't know if I would go all the way to charcoal with it, but pretty much any grey short of that would work. Certainly browns and tans would be nice. Consider wearing it with cords and moleskins.

Enjoy!

 

[grimslade]

I would treat them with some leather conditioner, then polish them, before wearing. AE's leather condition seems pretty good to me.

 

[Mr.Perdition]

Originally Posted by grimslade

I would treat them with some leather conditioner, then polish them, before wearing. AE's leather condition seems pretty good to me.


So this product http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...8&&imageType=2 in light brown and this http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...8&&imageType=2 in chestnut?

Is there a B&M that typically carries AE shoe care products? Nordstroms?

Also, are there any differences between various cedar shoe tree manufacturers or is a block of wood a block of wood no matter who I buy it from? On the AE site I see a "full" and a "combination" shoe tree. What style is the most appropriate and why?

As a matter of netiquette, can somebody PM me the link to show me how to post hypertexted links in the body of a message without showing the entire URL? The link button on the post/reply page only asks me for the URL, not the word to use instead of the long URL.

Thanks again!

 

[grimslade]

No, I meant this product, which I guess they call leather lotion, but is in any case what I meant.

(If you just highlight the word you want to make a link and then click the "link" button, you can paste in the destination URL and SF takes care of the rest.)

I usually use leather lotion (that stuff or Lexol), and then polish using a wax polish. Kiwi is probably fine. I have some of their cream polishes too, but those are reserved for quick-and-dirty, emergency situations. They won't give you as high a shine and won't provide the same level of water protection as a wax. They're also messy as heck.

 

[Charley]

I use either Lexol or the AE conditioner before every third or so polishing. And I also use the Melotonian shoe cream rather than a Kiwi type wax for the polish. The cream seems to do a better job for me in covering and rubbing into the leather. There are so many more colors available than in the harder wax type product. And I believe I can spread it a bit thinner. Maybe just my immagination on that part. I do not attempt to get the mirror shine of the military type though. The combo of months of applications of the conditioner and shoe cream seems to give a darned good shine that I'm sure will not be drying of the leather. Maybe with a slightly softer look. Good fortune with your new shoes.