High Heels Aren’t Always High Maintenance

Learn how to make them last years of wear and tear.

How to make your heels last years of wear and tear.

Have you been waiting to bust out those vintage high heels, but you’re not sure if they can withstand that much walking? Uncertain about how to keep your newly produced pair looking pretty? Shoe care is pretty simple — if you know what you’re doing. We’re here to walk you through a few easy tips, so you can keep looking fabulous!

1. Change the plastic heels to rubber ones. By switching to a rubber heel sole, you will extend the life of the high heels enormously. Many newly produced mid-priced high heels usually have a plastic sole. This keeps costs down and allows them to keep a lower retail price for their customers. If you have a pair of vintage or luxury high heels, make sure to check the material and quality of the soles before you start using them. Even though many vintage use high quality materials, they may show signs of excessive wear and require new soles. It is important to recognize this as early as possible in order to extend their lifespan.
2. Prevent damage by investing in heel savers! Remember: rubber soles don’t provide complete protection — the heel will still be exposed to hard surfaces like cobblestone, wet areas, and dirt. Without a heel savers, the sole and the rest of the heel often get scratched or destroyed by these environments. Heel savers give your heels extra protection, so you can walk with confidence on otherwise harsh or damaging surfaces.
3. Clean and protect. Obviously, the most important part is to always keep your high heels clean and treated with the right protective solutions and methods. This will keep them looking pretty for years to come! However, be cautious of what material your high heels have before treating them with the shoe care kit that you having at home. Many luxury pairs and vintage models are completely constructed in leather. Typically, dress shoes are made of very soft and finely treated leather, which makes them vulnerable to direct sunlight and tough weather conditions, such as rain or snow. But because of the leather’s softness and sensitivity, these high heels should not be treated with any old leather shoe care products, most of which are designed for thicker and stronger types. Instead, wipe the high heels gently with a damp cloth before using a soft leather cream or gel to treat the fine material. If your shoes are made of suede, instead of using a damp cloth, just brush off any dirt or dust carefully (with a suede brush) before treating them with a care solution specifically designed for both suede and the color of your shoes. If you’re not sure what they’re made of, contact your nearest cobbler. They can help you identify the materials, provide shoe-care service, and give you even more maintenance advice!
4. Walk with elegance! If heels make you feel good, then go on and bust them out! Not only do you the get benefit of a sexy elegant walk, but high heels actually position your body to make your legs look longer, more sculpted, and sexier. Whether it’s a private confidence boost just for you or a tool for seduction, heels are your best friend. But don’t forget to be good to your heels too! Stumbling or dragging the heel will cause damage to the shoes and shorten radically their lifespan. Plus, no one enjoys watching a woman force herself to totter around in their high heels like a jenga tower on rollerskates. So walk with confidence, move more slowly if you need to, and remember to take care of your high heels so you can keep dishing out those elegance steps.