Shoes and coats: making them last

Good shoes and a warm coat are often the most expensive things in a student wardrobe. A few minutes of care each week can make them last for years instead of one winter.

Everyday habits

• Drake's, a British clothing maker, advises not wearing the same pair of leather shoes on consecutive days, so the leather can dry out and recover its shape.
• Brush off dirt and dust after wearing, especially after rain or muddy paths.
• Use shoe trees (cedar ones absorb moisture) or stuffed paper to keep shape between wears, as Drake's and Robert Old both recommend.
• Untie laces fully when taking shoes off, rather than forcing your heel in and out, which breaks down the back of the shoe.

Polishing leather shoes, step by step

• 1. Brush off surface dirt and put shoe trees or paper inside.
• 2. Clean any grime with a damp cloth or a leather cleaner.
• 3. Work a small amount of cream polish in a matching colour into the leather with a soft cloth, in small circles.
• 4. Leave it to absorb for a few minutes, then buff with a clean brush until it has an even sheen.
• 5. For extra shine and protection, add thin layers of wax polish to the toe and heel and buff again.
• Robert Old suggests using a leather conditioner every few weeks to stop leather drying and cracking.

Suede, nubuck and trainers

• Brush suede regularly in one direction with a suede brush to lift the fibres and remove dirt.
• Treat light marks and scuffs on suede with a suede eraser or crepe rubber block.
• Protect suede and nubuck with a protector or waterproof spray made for that material, and reapply regularly, as Robert Old advises.
• For trainers, check the brand's care instructions before putting them in a washing machine: many are not designed for it.

Wet shoes and waterproofing

• Let wet shoes dry naturally at room temperature. Drake's warns never to place them beside a radiator or other direct heat source, which can crack leather.
• Stuff wet shoes with paper to hold their shape and absorb water, and change the paper when it gets soggy.
• Spray leather shoes with a water repellent before wearing them in damp weather.
• Check soles regularly and take shoes to a cobbler for resoling or heel repair before the upper is damaged, as Drake's suggests.

Coat care

• Hang coats on a wide, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their shape, and leave space so they can air.
• Let a wet coat dry on a hanger away from direct heat before putting it back in a wardrobe.
• Read the care label before washing: some coats are machine washable, some say dry clean only, and down coats need special care.
• Brush off dust and mud, empty the pockets and sew loose buttons back on straight away (see the sewing lesson).
• Before storing a coat for summer, clean it first, as stains and food residue attract moths (see the storage lesson).