Shoe Care with Khakis Flair

When it comes to shoe care with Khakis flair, you need to invest a little time and a whole lot of pride. Your freshly polished shoes will elevate your entire wardrobe. After caring for countless pairs, from Alden to Edward Green, one thing is for certain; regular care and quality products will keep your shoes healthy. As a result, this level of appurtenance defines your commitment to your persona and honors the appreciation of bench-made footwear.

Khakis of Carmel uses Saphir shoe care products for all shoe maintenance. Please visit their site here.

Tools needed

Shoetrees – we sell them here
Horsehair shoe brush
- dark hair for your dark brown, black, and cordovan shoes
- light hair for tan and blonde shoes
Damp cloth
Dry smooth cloth such as an old t-shirt
- don’t use terry as it will absorb the product
Saphir Renovateur
Saphir polish if needed
- use dauber for application
Saphir Sealant
Cotton chamois cloth

Step 1 - Cleaning with Care

Remove laces, check for any wear and replace as needed
Insert the shoetrees so you can apply pressure as needed. In a pinch, you can use wadded-up newspaper.
Dust away loose dirt with your brush.
Wipe with your damp cloth to remove any lingering polish or residues.

Step 2 - Conditioning

Grab the Renovateur, available from Saphir here, with two fingers tightly wrapped in your cloth. Apply a dime-size amount and thoroughly work into the entire top of each shoe.
- This step not only cleanses and nourishes the leather, but more importantly, it opens the leather’s pores.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes before brushing off with the horsehair brush.

Step 3 - Polishing with Shoe Care Cream

With the leather prepared to accept polish, sparingly apply small dabs of the color cream evenly over the shoe.
- It’s a bit waxier than the Renovateur so make sure it dries evenly.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes before brushing off with the horsehair brush. This process can be repeated up to 3 times, just be careful to not build it up in the creases.

Jim’s “shoe-nut” pro tip:

Use a shade darker than the leather to bring out details and patina. For the burnished antiqued look, small dabs of black on the toe and heel areas.

Step 4 - Sealing you Shoes

When it comes to the sealant, less is more. The sealant is a finishing wax that closes the pores. For a higher shine, go with a wax that’s beeswax-based.
In very small dabs, circle the wax around.
Don’t rush, and don’t try and do the whole shoe at once.
Work thoroughly, inch by inch. Each shoe should take about 15-20 minutes to coat.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes before brushing off.
This step can be repeated if you’d like a higher or more even shine.

Step 5 - Finishing, not quite Finished

Grab your cotton chamois cloth around, give the shoe a quick wipe down. This will remove any excess shoe care and give the leather that brand-new, polished look.

Jim’s “shoe-nut” pro tip:

Place the shoes in their shoe bags for 24 hours before wearing them. This allows the shoes to completely absorb the product, and love, you’ve given them.