1. Use Shoe Trees
Shoe trees help maintain the shape of your shoes and prevent wrinkles from forming. After wearing your dress shoes, insert a shoe tree to keep their shape while they’re not being worn. Choose shoe trees made of cedar wood, as it has natural properties that absorb moisture and odors. This helps preserve the leather and keeps it from forming unsightly creases.
2. Invest in Quality Leather
The quality of the leather used in your dress shoes plays a big role in the development of wrinkles. Higher quality leather is more pliable, molds to your feet, and can resist creases better than lower quality leather. When shopping for dress shoes, invest in a pair made of good quality leather. Also, avoid buying shoes made of synthetic materials as they tend to wrinkle more easily than genuine leather.
3. Avoid Wearing the Same Pair of Shoes Every Day
Wearing the same pair of shoes every day can cause them to develop wrinkles more quickly. By rotating different pairs of shoes, you allow them to dry out and rest for a time before wearing them again. This helps prolong the life of the shoes, especially if you’re wearing them for extended periods.
4. Use a Shoe Horn
When putting on your dress shoes, use a shoe horn. This prevents you from crushing the back of the shoe and causing wrinkles. Also, don’t struggle to put on or take off your shoes as this can cause damage to the leather and lead to the formation of wrinkles.
5. Protect Your Shoes from Water
Water can damage leather and cause it to wrinkle if it stays wet for long periods. Therefore, it’s essential to protect your dress shoes from water damage. Apply a waterproofing spray to the shoes to repel water and prevent it from soaking into the leather.
6. Avoid Heat and Direct Sunlight
Exposure to heat and direct sunlight can cause leather to dry out and get brittle, which leads to the formation of wrinkles. Avoid exposing your dress shoes to direct sunlight or heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, or heaters.
7. Store Your Shoes Properly
Proper storage of your shoes is crucial in avoiding wrinkles. Keep them in a dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat sources. Also, avoid storing several pairs of shoes on top of each other as the weight can cause the leather to wrinkle.
In conclusion, wrinkles in dress shoes can be avoided by taking proper care of them. Use shoe trees, invest in quality leather, rotate your shoes regularly, use a shoe horn, protect your shoes from water, avoid heat and direct sunlight, and store them properly. By following these tips, you’re sure to keep your dress shoes looking sharp for years to come.