Taking Care - Sole Edge Dressing

I think it's evident from the name of my blog and the shoes featured in many posts that I really love footwear.  I make every effort to keep my shoes looking good with attention to proper care and the right products.  

I'm no cobbler but I prefer to do whatever maintenance and repairs that I can at home.  I like the do-it-yourself aspect and it's also a lot faster to do a quick touch up yourself, most shoe maintenance is easy and the shoes are ready to wear again in a few hours or the next day, unlike the several-day turnaround service my cobbler offers.

One very useful product is sole edge dressing.  I buy mine at Cole Haan retail stores for about $4/bottle.  Let me show you how easy it is to use.

This pair of Chie Mihara Berguera sandals gets quite a bit of wear thanks to the neutral dark color and the fact that they are supremely comfortable, like all my Chie Mihara shoes.  Worn here with J.Crew ink-dip popover in African violet and Armani stretch lightweight wool pencil skirt. 

A closeup view shows the sole edges looking worn and scuffed.  Unless you only wear your shoes on carpeted surfaces, this is going to happen with wear.

Take the edge dressing and before removing the cap give it a good shake to ensure any settled contents are thoroughly mixed.  The applicator is a dauber tip so you don't need additional brushes or cloths.  It's good to set down paper though, to absorb any product while it is still wet.

Apply a thin coat of edge dressing to the sides of the sole.  Don't use too much, a thin layer will do.  If you lacquer it on there is potential for it to crack.  You want to just color the edge and leave a slight sheen.

I also run around the edge of the bottom of the sole, and a bit further in on the front if the toe rises slightly, as these do. Let it dry overnight before wearing, just to ensure the dressing has thoroughly dried and set. 

This looks much better, don't you think?  Took all of about 60 seconds too.  

You can also use it to touch up scuffs on leather-wrapped or stacked heels and their edges.  This pair is Costanza by Chie Mihara.

It works on wooden soles too, like my most-favorite Dura sandals, also by Chie Mihara.  I am using the brown dressing here.  The same process applies, use a thin layer to just cover the scuffs and let dry overnight. 

Perfect!  And so simple too.  Of course this tip also applies to your shoes and boots.  It's so easy and incredibly inexpensive to keep your soles looking fresh and new.

Is Sole Edge Dressing a product that you (would) use on your shoes?

Are you enjoying sandal weather this summer?