How Much of a Shine?

[LabelKing]

Beau Brummell was known to use champagne to polish his boots so that they resembled lacquer. Olga Berluti pays homage to this with vintage Dom Perignon.

I ask, how shiny do you like your shoes?

Personally, I prefer a lacquered shine. I really can't stand some of those distressed shoes that are popular now, or those who thinks unpolished shoes are acceptable. I'm also not particularly keen on a soft shine.

I like to think of a well-shined shoe as a bit of a middle-finger to slob convention.

 

[Tarmac]

personally I don't like a high shine, except in certain cases. Like maybe just the cap on a captoe cordovan shoe.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

personally I don't like a high shine, except in certain cases. Like maybe just the cap on a captoe cordovan shoe.

Sometimes when walking, I like to stare down at my shiny shoes especially in contrast with the grey concrete or something.

 

[luk-cha]

iced belvedere and soda!

 

[crazyquik]

I wish I could raise the heavy, high gloss shine from my shoes. However I think the leather used also contributes to only being able to raise a soft shine from them.

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Beau Brummell was known to use champagne to polish his boots so that they resembled lacquer.

I'm afraid that is a myth that Ian Kelly dismisses, in his book about the beau, as a ruse

 

[Viktri]

I'm a Cub-Scout leader in my spare time and I know when my shoes are shiny enough because the Cubs will say "Your shoes are so shiny!" I like a nice shine but I don't want to be able to see the features of my face.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by Viktri

I like a nice shine but I don't want to be able to see the features of my face.

Same here.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by appolyon

I'm afraid that is a myth that Ian Kelly dismisses, in his book about the beau, as a ruse

Interesting. I've not read the biography yet, but it made for a nice legend.

 

[rnoldh]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Olga Berluti pays homage to this with vintage Dom Perignon.

Isn't this an apocryphal tale too?

Or is it for real?

Anyone with first hand knowledge?

 

[LabelKing]

My criteria for a good shine is that I should be able to see myself in it.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by rnoldh

Isn't this an apocryphal tale too?

Or is it for real?

Anyone with first hand knowledge?

According to what's written about the Swann Club and all that jazz, it is true. At least that's what those members do.

St.Crispin's recommends a bit of alcohol mixed in with the water when polishing as the shine can be acquired faster than using plain water.

 

[contactme_11]

I like my shoes so shiney they reflect like mirrors and blind the eyes of the sartorially weak minded who walk among us.

 

[kali77]

I prefer a more subtle shine with sportcoats and odd trousers. If I am dressing more formal for work(Suits) than I shine them up a bit more than ususal.

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

According to what's written about the Swann Club and all that jazz, it is true. At least that's what those members do.

St.Crispin's recommends a bit of alcohol mixed in with the water when polishing as the shine can be acquired faster than using plain water.

More recently they've been using cheaper champagne. Until LVMH can find a way to produce champagne in China, I suppose.