The rule
A modest pair of well-kept shoes looks better than an expensive pair that's scuffed and tired. Care is what people see. It's also what makes good shoes last for decades instead of a couple of years.
Why it matters
Shoes give you away. Polished leather says you pay attention to detail and take care of what you own, which is rather the point of all of this.
How to do it well
- Clean and polish them regularly; ten minutes on a Sunday evening is plenty.
- Put cedar shoe trees in as soon as you take them off, to keep their shape and draw out moisture.
- Don't wear the same pair two days running, and have them resoled before the damage reaches the welt.