Shoe Care…

Leather – just like your skin leather needs moisturising. Every couple of months give them a polish with shoe cream, leather food or, the natural way, beeswax mixed with lard – lovely!

 

Suede and nubuck – you can spray them with a Scotchguard type spray if you would like to avoid the odd stain but the best way to keep them looking tip top is to give them a good brushing with a metal suede brush, just make sure they are totally dry before you do this.

 

Repairing – make sure that you replace the top pieces and soles before they wear through to holes or the wooden heel.  There are several great shoes repairers in Brighton but I either use Barry at Pullingers on George Street 01273 670187 or The Hard Working Cobbler at the bottom of North Street 01273 776616.  They are both very talented.

 

Sizing – don‘t be fooled, each shoe is made on it’s own last with it’s own specific shape, just as with clothes sizing you may have to go up or down a size to get the right fit.

 

As a rough guide:

Mens uk	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Mens uk							7	8	9	10	11	12
Ladies eur	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43
Mens eur							41	42	43	44	45	46

 

Other hints…

 

Squeaky shoes – dust the insides with talcum powder.
Wet shoes – pop some screwed up newspaper in them and don’t be tempted to leave them on a radiator or put them in the microwave. (as my Dad once did!)
Shoes too narrow – push a potato into them (not peeled of course) about the same size as your foot and leave overnight.
Cleaning white shoes – nail varnish remover actually works quite well, just test an unobvious area first!

Alex’s favourites and friends…

 

These are some of my favourite ways to spend time in Brighton and some of the great shops.

 

Wolfram Lohr	Leather accessories hand made in Brighton, we learned to make shoes together and he is a lovely, very talented man.
28 York Place
07968 164640
www.wolframlohr.com
Margaret Callagan Textiles	Lovely lady with a beautiful collection of vintage textiles and clothes She is only open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11-5:30
30a Upper St James's Street
01273 681384
The Mock Turtle Tea Rooms	My neighbour and serving the best cream teas and homemade cakes in Brighton, a real test of my will power.
4 Pool Valley
01273 327380
The Basketmakers Arms	My favourite pub with simple cheap food and friendly atmosphere
12 Gloucester Road
01273 689006
www.basketmakersarms.co.uk
Inside Out Café	Beautiful relaxed Brighton café, especially good on a sunny Sunday morning.
95 Gloucester Road
01273 692912
www.insideoutcafe.co.uk
Snoopers Paradise	Great flea market where many a birthday present has been sourced.
7-8 Kensington Gardens
01273 602558
Brighton Pavillion and Museum	Stunning Brighton landmark and beautiful interiors, not to be missed on a trip to Brighton.
www.brighton.virtualmuseum.info
The undercliff path to Rottingdean	Walk east to the marina and keep going along the bottom of the cliffs. There's a little café half way along and then some great pubs in Rottingdean.
The Crazy Mouse	On the pier, this rickety ride is my favourite.

 

Friends..

www.square-one.co.uk
www.wolframlohr.com
www.riittaikonen.com
www.natsko.com
www.thomasmurphyshoes.com
www.fredbutlerstyle.com
www.hellomarine.com
www.1973online.co.uk
www.racheleardley.com
www.richardbollphotography.com