WHEN TO APPLY A MIRROR SHINE TO YOUR FOOTWEAR

In this video your host discusses situations when it is appropriate to apply a mirror shine to your shoes/boots

Don't forget to check out my Instagram feed for daily chap updates: chapsguide

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Equipment used in this filming of this video (Amazon links):

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[adrianbird]

Personal satisfaction is what I get when doing my Top notch polishing.I find it quite therapeutic to sit outside on a nice sunny evening with my kit and bowl of water building that perfect shine.Thanks Ash, when paying out for the best quality you can afford it only makes sense to look after all your attire.Your messages are always a shining example.Many Thanks Ash.

[Fush]

My grandfather used to say “ you can tell the worth of a man by his shoes.” & “ you can tell the professionalism of a man by the shine on his shoes “

[wstks-fmworldwide]

So true! I learned shoe-shining from my father and maternal grandfather and now put a mirri shine on most of my leather dress shoes. Safir shoe products make this easy as do old nylons from my wife.

[supersonique]

Always put your best foot forward one would say! Reminds me that Colonel Rosa Klebb did not have a mirror shine on her trick shoes, Bond should have noticed, it almost caught him out in Venice ! Well done sir.

[jimmydigital]

looking forward to the next trip to oak lodge "how to relax" -- great vid.

[ronaldpoppe]

Ash I must agree and it also gives me a lot of satisfaction when my accouterments are up to Snuff. As far as patent leather I have one pair that I used to wear with my mess dress. Sometimes I will wear them with my tuxedo. Cheers Ron

[kennethjohnson]

These quick-fire videos are great, thanks Ash!

[Molach]

I'm afraid that every time I neglect to mirror shine my heel cap I'm going to be haunted by my Grandmother's ghost. I can hear her even now telling me "You can always tell a man's character by the backs of his shoes!"

[chrishoyt]

Great vid Ash. What colour suits and blazers with pants can I wear Burgundy brogues with.
Secondly are burgundy brogues popular in the UK and continental Europe?

[iansoutryer]

Ash, what do you think of "BOOKBINDER leather", also known as "corrected grain leather"? It is not patent leather, it's not that glossy, but I suspect it's akin. I own a few pairs made of "bookbinder leather", because I was drawn to that shiny look and the brands were reputable.
But I am never sure whether my polishing actually reaches the depth of the grain of that leather, because of that layering. And also, is it that long-lasting or will it crack prematurely?

[douglashill]

How long can you maintain a mirror shine (presumably by adding more coats of polish) before you would have to remove the buildup, and how would you remove the buildup once that became necessary?

[Fanakapan]

Said before here, but of course that wont stop me from saying it again, bull up shoes underneath on the arches and heel breast as well. Stops the deterioration that comes from the elements. Plus, if its good enough for the Guards, and Queens Colour Squadron, its good enough for us. :)

[georgelush]

I agree about patent leather. It’s been around since the 19th century, but to me it looks too artificial. I know it is the go to for black tie, but I prefer a smooth textured unadorned black oxford well polished with a mirror shined toe.

[jonathonshanecrawford]

I am an Australian living in New Zealand, where can I get that Saphir "mirror finish" shoe polish, as currently I am using Kiwi brand, it does really get that mirror finish I would like for my Oxford shoes.
Saphir is on line to buy, however, the cost here is over $60 NZ-Dollars, ouch! I can't really afford too much up to $15 NZD, because I'm currently not workings (sorry about that), I would be greatful if someone (Ash maybe?) could send a used (some product in the container would be nice) a tin/jar! I'm not implying that I am a bludger, I would pay for it if could buy here locally!
Also I would love to try Saphir mirror finish shoe polish for myself, as can Kiwi shoe polish (normal finish - shiny)?

[lonesheepdog]

I can understand with your Crab Air background why you don't bull the sides of your shoes, when you just walk sideways all people will see is the front anyway.

I've just got new loake aldwych that I'm breaking in. I wear them for about 30 mins a day around the house for a month. Everytime I take them off I put one coat of polish on and brush it off. After a month you've got a nice coat of wax over the shoes, they bull very easy and the vamps don't crack

If you were in the same room as me and saw my shoes you'd think, 'effin army'

😀

[RaoulKunz]

Horrible confession here:
While I work with shoes daily I don't wear mirror shine to work because I usually don't wear shoes over ~150€ worth to work anyway and because I have come to accept that they'll suffer the occasional dent and scratch or some chemical drops that can cause minor damage. Or shoes that I made, yes, but I made them *for* work, meaning easy to repair and comfy (they don't look particularly elegant, "comfort shoes" [meaning "proto-orthopaedic"😆] essentially, if you have the designator for a certain kind of shoe).

I *do* put a shine on the caps usually, but not mirror shine, just nor worth the effort.

Shoes that I might wear in different contexts, most of them are some form of Oxfords, though sometimes Derbies - mostly brogue ones, such as formal or eating out or something along those lines, *those* get the mirror shine treatment because I won't kill it with a misplaced drop of leather softener 😅.

So my mirror polish m.o. is: *not at work* 😆.

Best regards
Raoul G. Kunz