s
Heel to Toe
Shoe Repair 101

It is important to take care of your shoes. If you do get a scuff, snag or worse, a little shoe repair lesson can come in pretty handy. A girl doesn’t want to get caught without her favorite pair, so take shoe repair into your own hands with these helpful tips.

Simple Scuffs

There are lots of easy shoe repair fixes for the simple scuff. Water and salt from ice melt can wreak havoc on shoes. When this happens, look no further than the kitchen. A mixture of water and white vinegar can get the crusty salt marks off. If they are especially stubborn try this treatment two or three times.

Patent leather can reclaim its shine with a little bit of Windex. Leather shoe scratches can be buffed out with a tiny bit of moisturizer.

Clean dirt off suede by rubbing shoes with a stale crust of bread. If your suede shoes are more than just dirty and are beyond home remedy, try a cleaning kit such as the suede shoe care kit from our friends at Foot Fitter. The combo restores suede, cleans and eliminates shiny spots. This product can also be used on hand bags, boots and clothes.

Moderate Malfunctions

Some shoe repair issues will need a little more than a spray and a buff. Waterproofing a canvas pair of kicks can be achieved with beeswax. There are also some specialty waterproofing products out there (again, see Foot Fitter) and when applied with care, your feet can be warm and dry all day.

Broken straps may be repaired with a tactful application of shoe glue. Shoe adhesive can be found at most drug stores and super glue would work in a pinch. First, carefully clean the area and snip off any stray threads. Then, apply glue to both pieces and let it set for two minutes. Lastly, press pieces together and clamp to hold, a clothespin or paperclip works great. Let dry for at least 24 hours.

Gravel, rough surfaces and natural wear and tear can really do some damage to your heel tips. These little heel tips help you protect them in advance if you have the foresight, extend the life of heels showing wear and tear, and even fix heels beyond repair.

When To Seek Help

You might find it worth the time to simply seek out a shoe repair. Make sure to take all pieces of the broken heel with you to the cobbler. The same holds true for a split heel, if you want a repair job to stand the test of time, go to a professional. 

Fix a scuff, strap and more with these simple tips and keep yourself on your toes, in your favorite shoes. 

Shopping for Vintage High Heels

For those who love the adventure of the hunt or the well-heeled collector that longs for the one-of-a kind piece; vintage shoes hold much appeal. How thrilling is it to know that you are the only woman in the city with that beaded cardigan or that crocodile skin handbag? Consignment shops and vintage boutiques are treasure chests of gems just waiting to be discovered. However, for the true vintage enthusiast, there’s a bit of education and know-how that is needed to spot the diamond in the rough, and rock that pair of heels.

Where to Go

A good way to get a feel for vintage is to take a peak online on vintage shoe websites. See what styles and eras you like and then visit a reputable vintage store. Store employees are full of helpful information and can fit you into a fabulous pair in no time.

Know Your Fabric

The material that stands the test of time tends to be leather, usually from Spain or Italy. However, there are plenty of swede, fabric and embellished pairs in quality condition. Examine the shoe carefully for tears, scuffs and discoloration. 

Repair

Sure there are plenty of vintage heels for sale in mint condition. But if you budget is a little smaller, a scuff mark or split heel can be the thrifty shopper's new best friend. For that split heel, try a high heel protector which can work wonders for your heel and prolong the already long life of your heel. Scuff marks can be removed with a number of household items from toothpaste to nail polish remover, depending on material. One item to keep in mind: if a material is ripped or cracked the shoe may not be repairable.

Let’s not forget the eau de vintage, or that vintage smell that seems attached to all things second-hand. It can be removed with a baking soda sachet, simply fill an old tight or hose with baking soda, tie with a rubber band and slip inside the shoe when not in use.

Storage

Once you’ve procured that dreamy pair of vintage high heels, one of the key factors in the fabulosity of your vintage shoe purchase is storage. The most important aspect of storage is airflow and keeping your shoes as dust-free as possible. There are a number of shoe racks and clothing racks that make this easy. Some prefer to use old shoe boxes, ala Carrie Bradshaw.

While bringing new life to a classic pair of heels is exhilarating, make sure and do your research, especially if you are looking to spend. Simply stick with this guide and you will be sporting a new/old vintage pair in no time!

Clickless High Heel Protectors