WHY YOUR GRANDFATHER ONLY HAD ONE PAIR OF SHOES
If you grew up in a household like mine, you probably have heard your grandfather talk about how he only owned one pair of shoes. He would tell you how he walked five miles to school in those shoes then shined them up to go to the school dance. Yep, Grandad's shoes sounded magical.
Grandad never had to buy more shoes because they were made durable and lasted a lifetime. Unfortunately, today's shoes are not made like them once were. With the quality of shoes being dropped lower and lower each year, we are lucky to get one season from a pair of tennis shoes. According to the shoe companies, we will buy over seven pairs of shoes in a year!
As a shoe repair shop, we cringe at that number. Sure, we will get business from the repairs to those low-quality shoes, but as a craftsman in this field, we know that our customers deserve better. You deserve shoes that will last.
Here are five things to look for when buying new shoes:
1) Leather is your friend
Most likely, those shoes of your grandad were made of leather. Wait, don't go running off yet. Not all leathers are made the same. Yes, there are imposters amongst the leather label. Shy away from things labeled "genuine leather" as it tends to be lower quality. Top-grain leather is the best, but tends to be higher cost. However, the lifetime of wear you get will pay for itself. Learn more about the different leathers here.
2) Pay attention to the stitching
Take a look at that shoe. No, go a little closer. A shoe is made of lots of little stitches that keep it together. The more detailed the stitching, the better quality. If you don't see any stitching, walk away! That shoe is being held by glue, which will not last long under normal wear and tear.
3) Who is the cobbler?
We are definitely not snobs when it comes to fashion, but for shoes, your first question should be, "who made this shoe?" There is a reason why shoe makers, such as Christian Louboutin, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Jimmy Choo are world famous. Because they knew the inner workings of making a shoe. Shoes mass produced by these large manufacturers are often one size fits all. Save your money and get the designer who is also a cobbler.
4) Don't date yourself
Want shoes that you can wear when you are 30 and when you are 75? Stick to classic styles. Yes, the pointier toe on that shoe may be in style this year, but in five, you will look outdated.
5) If you want quality shoes, invest the money
When your grandad bought those wonderful shoes, he probably spent a few months worth of income to afford them. Now multiple that by 40 years and you will probably blink extra hard over the price. Sorry to tell you, but a quality pair of shoes will cost over $100. However, before you click away thinking I am crazy, think about this.
Let's say you bought three pairs of shoes at $150 each. That equals $450. Those three shoes last five years before you need to take them to your local shoe repair shop (may we suggest Briar Vista?) and get them resoled for $50 each. This will last you another five years. Total for ten years: $600.
Remember that stat about the number of shoes Americans buy in a year? Let's say you spend $40 per shoe. At seven shoes, that is $280. However, one pair only lasts 6-12 months due to quality or they are no longer fashionable, so the next year, you spend another $280. After ten years, you would have spent $2,800!
Now who is smarter? You or your grandad?
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