Por Alfonso Luna Soto
Taking its fame, thanks to the English-around 1920-the suede shoes were popularized by British royalty. A decade later, this shoe became the hallmark of anyone who called himself an English Lord. Today, they continue to be one of the most valued types of footwear for men, not only for their incomparable texture, but also for the care and care we have to offer when wearing suede shoes. Keep in mind the maintenance that you must give to the suede, so that you can make the most of the footwear made of this demanding material.
Before talking about the details of suede care, it is important to understand well what this material is. Also known as ante or suede, it is obtained-mainly-from the inner layer of the calf, sheep or goat skin. That is, unlike the other types of leather that expose the outer layer, the sole works the other way around, leaving the inner layer exposed. The result is a thin skin with a soft texture, which undoubtedly makes it one of the most delicate and likely to stain or deteriorate easily, hence our fascination with this material, as it involves a whole challenge of care to keep suede shoes or accessories in good condition. Well dictate the phrase, what costs the most, is what is worth the most.
There is not in itself a one-off rule that dictates which shoe may be suede and which is not, but we cannot deny that, if a trend prevails in pre-made shoe models, buckle shoes, laces and loafers are options, but undoubtedly the most common model-and our favorite-are Chelsea boots, their stylized silhouette mixed with the delicacy of the chamois, makes them become gloves for your feet. In addition, their versatility and timelessness make Chelsea in dream ideal to combine with a suit, a pair of jeans or Chinese, regardless of the situation, they will always make us look good at the office, the house or the night party.
Being well informed about the basics of suede, it's time to get to the topic of how to clean the suede shoes and the care we need to provide to keep them in excellent condition. We advance that it will require patience, constancy and perseverance, we say again, it is one of the most delicate and prone types of leather to be affected.
This first step is mandatory, and you will not have to overlook it under any circumstances. With a soft sows brush, gently pass it all over the shoe to remove any kind of dirt or dust, it is important not to use a metal bristles brush, let alone plastic, as all you will do is wear and damage the suede. It's an indispensable routine after wearing the shoes. To keep them in a better state, by storing them, use the bags of fabric with which they were sold to you (never throw them away), thus keeping them protected from dust particles while you Don't use them.
Sometimes it seems that suede is a magnet for stains, the more we protect it, the more likely it is to attract any kind of splash. Our best ally will be the chamois rubber. Literal, made from crumbs, are perfect for removing small stains (food, stomachs, soil, ink, etc.). It is important to mention that you must gently pass the rubber over the ante, remember, you are not erasing your math homework. To remove the residue from the rubber, do not do it with your hand, use the brush to avoid mistreating the material.
As cryptonite was Superman's number one enemy, water is the most feared thing for suede. Our first recommendation, if you know it's going to be a rainy day, avoid putting your foreshoes on. On the other hand, if the weather was not in your favor, you were caught by the unsuspecting rain and the outcome was soaked shoes, you will have to do the following: when you come home fill the shoes with paper towels and let them rest for a whole day, this will help to absorb the water stains in their entirety. Once dry, pass the brush delicately and you will be ready for the next round.
As the last ally for care, he acquires a spray for suede. Most of these serve as water repellents and oil stains. After cleaning with the brush and removing the stains apply some of the spray on the whole shoe, it will provide you with a protective layer that will keep you at bay or at least weaken any external agent seeking to damage the suede.
Having reviewed the above, you are now ready to give long life to your suede shoes.
