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I love shoes. It’s no secret. And over the years, my shoes have become even more precious (and pricey) to me. While I am still a Florida girl who will throw on Rainbow flip flops (the same pair since high school… but whatever), my shoe arsenal has definitely upped it’s game.
 
Now, it’s not just those old Rainbows, but also luxury pairs such as my favorite black Manolo pumps, studded Louboutins, classic Prada loafers, and strappy Gucci sandals. While my collection is still growing, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that each of these pairs aren’t a big purchase for me. They’re definitely a splurge, so I want to make sure that these babies are well taken care of and will last for years to come.
 
So what’s my approach for protecting my shoes? First I take stock of my purchase and gauge how often I think I’ll wear them. Are they expensive and worth an extra investment of some additional shoe care? Or are they shoes that are just worth however long they last. Take my Manolos for instance – a little on the pricey side, but I also wear them A LOT. In this case, it was worth it for me to invest in durable heel taps, and a sole protector (that rubber bit along the large part of the bottom of your shoe) that helps prevent wear-down. With my sole protector, these shoes have lasted me exponentially longer, and now the extra money for this shoe is totally worth it. You can also easily replace a sole protector – instead of doing major surgery on the shoe itself. On the other hand, there’s expensive shoes that that I RARELY wear. In this case, they are pricey, but I wear them so few times a year that it isn’t worth it for me to invest in additional shoe care. Hey, you have to be discerning!
 
The other thing I do to help protect my shoes is to make sure that I wear them in appropriate situations. No suede in bad weather, no stilettos if I’m doing a lot of walking, and super pricey shoes only come out to play for short periods of time. I like to walk to work in a pair of comfy and cute Vans sneakers, but then change into my big girl heels.
 
And last but not least, after seasonal changes I assess the damage to the shoes that may need work. When Fall starts, I take a look at my summer sandals to see which pairs might need some extra TLC. With a quick visit to my local cobbler (Leather Spa in NYC, Bear’s Shoe Repair in JAX, and Santana Creative in ATL), my shoes are once again back in great shape for another year of wear!
 
What about y’all? Do you have any tips for helping your shoes last longer.