MYTH:
New shoes don’t need to be shined. Shoes only need to be shined when they start to look worn.
FACT:
If you’ve made an investment in a pair of shoes that you love and want to last, there are several reasons why it is important to get them shined before you first wear them.
Leather is skin that can no longer produce its own oils to stay supple, so it will naturally become dry over time.
Much of the damage that occurs to leather – tears, cracks, gouges, scuffs, stains, water damage, and color fading/loss – can be directly attributed to or aggravated by dryness.
Since new shoes have often been sitting in the box waiting for you to purchase them, they are likely to be in need of conditioning, regardless of how good they look.
A proper shine will include an initial round of conditioning with some type of leather balm.
This, coupled with the oils in a quality polish, will provide the essential moisture leather shoes need to fortify them against the hazards of wear.
A final benefit of moisturizing leather is that it helps stiff new shoes break in more readily, and who doesn’t want that?
All leather dries out over time, so we recommend conditioning and polishing your shoes regularly regardless how much use they see. Even entirely new shoes will often benefit from some tender loving care before first use.
Frequent maintenance will not only ensure best possible looks, but also greatly lengthen the lifespan of your shoes.
In addition to giving leather shoes vital conditioning, several layers of skillfully applied, high quality polish puts a protectant barrier between the surface finish of the shoes and the elements.
Crucial for hand-painted and ‘antiqued’ patinas, polishing helps finishes to “adhere” to the leather and to resist rubbing off or fading, keeping those sought after artisan finishes safely on the shoes the same way in which it keeps unwanted damage out.
*OLD STYLE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH A LOCAL COBBLER (SHOE REPAIR) THAT GIVES US GREAT DISCOUNTS THAT I PASS ON TO YOU.
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Testimonials
This place is what ALL businesses should be! Friendly, polite, funny, and fantastic work I had several questions regarding shoes and products, got all them answered. Also took few pairs of shoes to repair, got back fantastic results...and will definitely come back. Bonus: people in there have awesome sense of humor :]
Alex T. - Seattle, WA.
A lot of people do a reasonable job shining shoes, but these guys are master craftsmen that take pride in their work. They also do an excellent job with shoe repair to the extent that I have brought my shoes down from Bellingham on more than one occasion to be properly mended.
Carlton McQueen - Bellingham, WA.
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"I'm a big shoe guy. I only buy cordovan Alden's or Allen Edmond's. I love my shoes. I came to Seattle a week ago from New York and originally come from DC. I have gone to a lot of shoe shiners and I have always found the same thing, people doing a cheap job to make a buck. Now don't get me wrong some people can be nice and some not so much but no one has done shining as a passion, a true craft. This spot is different. I spent an hour getting my shoes shined and completely redone. I asked all the normal questions which everyone else has failed to answer to test knowledge and saw the Saphir cleaning products which are the best in the world being used. I will be taking all my shoes here from now on. Its truly rare to find true craftsman who work to be perfect at their trade. This spot is that".
-Jake Nelson - Seattle -
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"Clayne's work is fabulous, I can recommend him without reservation. He's timely, professional and all about Customer Service. He'll baby your best shoes and give you a Presidential shine. And, he can revive that pair of shoes you never thought would see the light of day again".
- Peter Truex - Seattle -
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"Clayne is the best. He will give you amazing personal service and your shoes will look like new. You'll also learn so much about taking care of your shoes and how rotating your shoes saves your feet too"!
- Annette Dresser -
- Executive Partner with J Hilburn - Bellevue -
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"Clayne and his expanding crew have returned the craft of shining shoes to one of taking great pride in a job well done. I recommend Clayne for both individual shoe shines and for enhancing corporate or charity events".
- Jeff Pyatt -
- President - Pyatt Broadmark Management - Seattle -
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"I have hired Clayne, and he has come to my home and office to polish my shoe collection. The quality of his shine and customer service is excellent and I appreciate his punctuality. Thank you Clayne".
- Stuart Butler -
- Founder - Entrepreneur - Connector - Event Services Visionary - Seattle -
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"Look no further. Honest, ethical, hard working. The man works it and deserves all good things coming his way". -HSW.
- Howard Wright -
- Founder and CEO at Seattle Hospitality Group - (SHG) - Seattle -
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"Clayne is truly a master of his craft! Not only does he himself give outstanding shines, but his well-trained staff does an equally impressive job. I have hired Clayne & his team on numerous occasions to give shoe shines at various events I organize for work -- they never disappoint and do a phenomenal job".
- Matt Coleman -
- WA & AK State Manager - Sales at Lucas Bols B.V. -Seattle -
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"Clayne is one of the hardest working shiners in the business, always willing to take a risk and learn more about his craft. A true professional with years of experience, his desire to offer the highest level of service and quality is an inspiration to all entrepreneurs".
- Kevin Tuohy - Founder of A Shine & Co. - The Shoeshine Guild -
- San Francisco - New York City - Osaka -
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"A true artist in what you did to a twenty year old pair of shoes. I highly recommend Clayne to work on any leather and high end leather products".
#westcoastleathergenious
- Steve Sudsbury -
- Custom Products Manager - Allen Edmonds -
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Great attention to detail and explanation of what is being done throughout the process. Cute little gem tucked away in US Bank Center - glad I found them!
Charles R.
