You should. The extra layer of polish adds a measure of protection against scuffs and such. Some years ago, a wise poster here (I forget who) said, "If you don't polish your shoes before wearing them, you will die!"

 

Agreed....especially important that you get some moisture back into that leather - which may well have been sitting in a stockroom for months. This is the real benefit to using a cream polish, vs the old school wax variety.

 

Yes. When some drops of coffee with milk splash onto your shoe, do you want the lactic acid attacking your leather or just some cheap wax you can buff off and replace?

 

Yes. When some drops of coffee with milk splash onto your shoe, do you want the lactic acid attacking your leather or just some cheap wax you can buff off and replace?

Agressive lactic acid in fresh milk? I don't think so...

 

Who said it was fresh?

If you don't like that, how about citric acid in someone's juice smoothie. Or the acid from a Diet Coke? Point is, there's lots of stuff that might splash onto your shoes in small quantities. And wax forms a nice little barrier to keep it off the leather.

 

Haven't we done this all before?

 

You should always polish shoes, brand new or not, it helps to keep them in good condition.

 

Would it be acceptable to just leave them unpolished for now and apply the shoe cream before I wear them? I haven't worn them yet (I did put them on once, but that was to see if they fit).

Thanks!

 

I always use wax, not paste, for a first polish just to guard against the first scuffs.

If you don't like your new shoes, or don't care too much about scuffing them permanently right out of the box, then by all means, don't wax them!

 

Haven't we done this all before?

More than once!

 

That would, of course, depend on how long before you wear them--a few more months drying out wouldn't be a big deal. Wouldn't you like to raise the question of putting in trees even before your first wearing?

Let's don't go there.

 

That would, of course, depend on how long before you wear them--a few more months drying out wouldn't be a big deal. Wouldn't you like to raise the question of putting in trees even before your first wearing?

Let's don't go there.

Ha!

Steps for new shoes
Creme polish for conditioning
Wax polish for protection
Buffing for shine
Shoe trees so they can maintain the shape that gravity is trying so hard to change.
Pressurized humidor shoe box to prevent excessive moisture
Topys to protect sole
Heel and toe taps to protect heels and toes

Whatever you do, do NOT put the shoes on and wear them. This has been known to scuff soles and wear down heels!

 

I won't be wearing the shoes for a few months. I already have cedar trees in the shoes. Some people may be confused as to what I am asking, but I am not asking for tips about how to maintain my shoes (I've already had that question answered in another topic). What I'm asking is: If I'm not going to be wearing the brand new shoes for the next few months, is it necessary to perform any maintenance (cream/polish)?

 

I won't be wearing the shoes for a few months. I already have cedar trees in the shoes. Some people may be confused as to what I am asking, but I am not asking for tips about how to maintain my shoes (I've already had that question answered in another topic). What I'm asking is: If I'm not going to be wearing the brand new shoes for the next few months, is it necessary to perform any maintenance (cream/polish)?

In the period that you will not be wearing the shoes is an excellent opportunity for you to build up a great shine. Polishing shoes can sometimes be therapeutic.

 

I have a new pair of AE walnut Strands. I bought the corresponding AE walnut cream. But there is no wax according to the salesman at Nordstrums. What would you use over the walnut cream for protection, Neutral wax?

 

I have a new pair of AE walnut Strands. I bought the corresponding AE walnut cream. But there is no wax according to the salesman at Nordstrums. What would you use over the walnut cream for protection, Neutral wax?

The Hanger Project has the corresponding Saphir polish to AE colors.

https://www.hangerproject.com/blog/2012/06/29/allen-edmond-shoe-polish-colors

 

Polish protects your shoes, and your investment. You need the proper polish, and proper polishing technique.

Buying good shoes is easy. Maintaining good shoes takes some effort.

 

You can post anything on this forum and get mixed reactions - except when it comes to shoe care! I can't think of a topic that garnishes more emotional reaction than shoe care! I love it...

Polish those bad boys and start down the road of beautiful leather... my AE's look better three years old compared to brand new due to the polishing love they receive. All due to my fear of reprisal from AAAC!

 

Most of you know I have a bias toward "less is more" when it comes to shoe care. If the leather in a pair of shoes is properly tanned and finished it needs very little in the way of treatment in the days following a purchase unless the shoe has been through some sort of disaster.

But I don't think people are really doing any harm to their shoes by applying polishes or creams just after purchase, either.

I suspect the shoe care that happens just after most purchases has more to do with a ritual of ownership and possession than anything else.

 

I suspect the shoe care that happens just after most purchases has more to do with a ritual of ownership and possession than anything else.

BINGO!
Give the man a cigar! :icon_cheers:

Except in this case the OP likes asking the same question repeatedly, https://askandyaboutclothes.com/com...om/community/showthread.php?150167-I-need-some-advice-on-dress-shoe-maintenance and ignoring the answers. And then saying he is going do whatever pops into his head.

This begs a few issues. Troll?

 

Flenderian, in the post you just linked I was asking about what products to use on my shoes. In this post I am asking if it is okay for me to keep my brand new shoes unpolished until I decide to wear them. I hope this clears things up.

 

I write with no particular authority, but I do not polish my shoes immediately. As discussed in several threads, well-tanned leather is potentially a maintenance-free product.

I wear them for a few days around the house to start the break-in process, then progress to longer wearings outside of the house. My motivation is to allow time for any defects to reveal themselves that might necessitate a return that could be compromised by any alteration of the shoes (e.g., conditioning and polishing) on my part. At the first excuse, which is usually some exposure to rain, I give the shoes a thorough going over with AE conditioner (almost all of my shoes have been replaced this year with AE) with an especially liberal application to the nascent creases. This essentially strips off the factory finish (based on the appearance of the shoe and the rag afterwards), which is then replaced with color-matched cream. If experience has thus far suggested a problem with water spotting, as it did with my black AE Harrisons, I apply a coat of neutral wax.

 

Flenderian, in the post you just linked I was asking about what products to use on my shoes. In this post I am asking if it is okay for me to keep my brand new shoes unpolished until I decide to wear them. I hope this clears things up.

You're lazy. Tie rags 'round your feet and be done with it.
Give the shoes to someone who can enjoy them!

......Seriously, with the effort you've put into posting and reading replies, you could have had them polished already!

One note: calfnkip knows leather better than almost anyone on this forum (and most on the planet, for that matter) however I do have one experience where a new pair of shoes was in need of treatment. Sometime after the most recent change of AE ownership, I bought a pair of discontinued shoes. They must have sat in a warehouse (in less than optimal conditions) for quite a long time, as when they got to me, the leather was stiff and dry. I immediately treated them with AE cleaner/conditioner and polished w/ creme polish. I have been regularly alternating those treatments since, and now (a couple of years later) they are soft and supple... and actually one of my most comfortable pairs of shoes.

 

I won't be wearing the shoes for a few months. I already have cedar trees in the shoes. Some people may be confused as to what I am asking, but I am not asking for tips about how to maintain my shoes (I've already had that question answered in another topic). What I'm asking is: If I'm not going to be wearing the brand new shoes for the next few months, is it necessary to perform any maintenance (cream/polish)?

From a number of sources, I have been told to moisturize new shoes, as we do not know how long they have been sitting out drying. One of the responses pointed this out.

 

What is up with starting multiple threads on essentially the same topic???