Shoes are an indispensable part of our daily lives. Only comfortable footwear allows us to live, work, and study better. Since shoes are so important to us, we should learn how to choose the right pair for ourselves and how to properly care for them.

Some Useful Shoe Tips You Should Know:

Relieve rubbing pain: If any part of your shoe rubs against your foot, wrap a damp towel around the problematic area for a few minutes, then gently tap it with a hammer (lightly!) to soften the material and reduce discomfort.

Estimate your shoe size using your hand: Measure the length of your hand (in millimeters)—use the left hand for men and the right hand for women—then multiply that number by 1.33. The result approximates your foot length in millimeters, which corresponds to Chinese shoe sizing.
Example: Hand length = 173 mm → 173 × 1.33 ≈ 230 mm → Size 36.

Best time to buy shoes: Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. After a day of activity, your feet naturally swell slightly. Buying shoes during this time ensures a more accurate fit—if they feel comfortable then, they won’t feel tight later.

Create longer-looking legs: Choose shoes in a shade slightly darker than your skin tone—it visually elongates your legs.

Feet aren’t symmetrical: Most people’s feet differ in size—typically, the right foot is larger. Always try on both shoes when purchasing.

Always try shoes while standing: Your feet expand slightly when upright. Walk around the store to test stability, comfort, and fit.

Heel thickness matters: A well-proportioned heel can enhance leg lines. Ideally, heel width should harmonize with your body and calf size—but ultimately, personal preference rules!

Foot shapes vary: There are three common foot types—Egyptian (big toe longest), Roman (first three toes similar length), and Greek (second toe longest). Studies suggest people with Greek feet often have slender limbs, and many beauties—including Taiwan’s famous Lin Chi-ling—have this foot type. What’s yours?

Don’t swat cockroaches with slippers: Doing so may spread pathogens and risk infection. Better to let the bug escape!

High heels were originally for men: The earliest high heels (about 12 cm tall) appeared in France—and were first worn by men, not women! Mind blown, right?

Essential Shoe Care Supplies (Weekly Maintenance):
You’ll need: a horsehair shoe brush (ideally two—one large for general cleaning, one small for details), cleaning oil, matching-color shoe polish, soft cloths, and waterproofing spray.

• Use shoe polish that matches your shoe color: brown polish for brown shoes, black for black.
• When using a new polish or cleaner for the first time, test it on a discreet area to ensure it doesn’t discolor the leather.

Proper Shoe Care Routine:
While quick-shine “one-wipe” polishes are popular, thorough care extends shoe life. Follow these steps:

1. Use the large brush to gently sweep the entire shoe, checking edges for dirt.
2. Use the small brush to clean seams and crevices.
3. Loosen laces and clean hidden areas inside the shoe opening.
4. Apply a small amount of cleaning oil to a cloth and wipe the entire shoe to remove old polish residue.
5. On a clean, separate cloth, apply a pea-sized amount of matching shoe polish evenly over the surface.
6. Buff the entire shoe with a soft, dry cloth—pay attention to details.
7. Finish with a waterproofing spray, which also helps protect specialty leathers.

Care Guide for Knee-High & Over-the-Knee Boots:
Materials needed: brushes, shoe trees, water-based and cream shoe polishes, stiff cardboard inserts, and old pantyhose.

Steps:

1. Insert shoe trees to maintain shape.
2. Wipe away dust with a soft cloth.
3. Apply polish:
   • Water-based polish contains wax and resin—use only on edges, not frequently.
   • Cream polish contains oils, wax, solvents (which help penetration), and dye. Apply thinly and quickly with a sponge applicator before the solvent evaporates.
4. Let dry for 10–15 minutes until slightly matte, then buff lightly with a dry brush or cloth using a feather-light touch.
5. Air-dry indoors for a full day to fully evaporate solvents and dry the interior.
6. Stuff the shaft with cardboard to prevent creasing, lay flat, cover with old pantyhose, and store with desiccant packs.

Material-Specific Care Tips:

Smooth & Suede Calfskin: Best worn above 10°C to prevent coating cracks. Clean with white or colorless shoe milk—never use oily shine agents, as they cause delamination.

Snakeskin-Print Calfskin: Use shoe milk or water-based polish. Avoid oil-based products to prevent hardening.

Oiled Leather / Color-Varying Leather: Waterproof and stain-resistant. Clean with leather garment or sofa cleaner.

Embossed or Grained Lambskin: Do not use shine agents. Use high-quality, colorless shoe milk sparingly and evenly. Color may temporarily darken but will return to normal after evaporation—this is normal.

Waxed/Aniline Lambskin (Rub-Off Finish): Natural color transfer is normal and won’t flake off widely. Avoid prolonged wear, rain, and wet cloths. For stains, gently wipe with a dry cloth, stuff with paper, air-dry for 1 hour, then store. Never use shine agents—they cause whitening and wrinkling. Lightly apply colorless shoe oil if needed.

Patent & Crinkled Patent Leather: Wipe dust with a slightly damp (not dripping) cloth. May use leather cleaner, but never shoe milk or polish—they cause peeling or wrinkling. Wear above 10°C.

Water-Stained or Waxed Naked Leathers (no protective coating): Highly absorbent—avoid water and stains. Maintain with shoe milk, keep dry when stored, and polish regularly to prevent mold.

Embossed Lambskin (Subtle Patterns): Easy to care for—high-quality shoe milk or cream works well.

No matter the material, consistent, thoughtful care keeps shoes looking nearly new. It’s also wise to rotate between multiple pairs—this gives each pair time to air out and recover, significantly extending their lifespan.