Repairs & Shoe Care

Shoe Care 

The Natural Beauty of Our Leathers: Care & Longevity

We believe true luxury lies in the authentic character of natural leather. Unlike over-processed or synthetic materials, our shoe leathers showcase their inherent beauty, complete with unique textures and subtle imperfections—much like the skilled hands that craft them. To ensure your Tracey Neuls shoes stand the test of time, here are our essential care tips.


General Leather Care

  • Shoe Polish: Most of our leathers are dyed all the way through. This means minor scuffs and scrapes can often be disguised with a touch of similarly shaded polish. We recommend Woly for its extensive color range.

  • Water Resistance: To enhance water resistance, apply a beeswax resin or a protective spray.

  • Drying Footwear: Leather is naturally absorbent. If your shoes get caught in heavy rain, always dry them at room temperature, never under a heater. Once dry, there are many excellent leather products available to help revive their look and feel.

  • Handle with Care: Luxurious textures are less resistant to abrasion. Please exercise a little extra care when wearing them. Substances like red wine, oil, and coffee can stain, and some leathers are inherently more delicate than others. We're happy to advise you before purchase on whether a particular style is suited for everyday wear or more special occasions.

  • Sun Exposure: Just like us, leather develops a beautiful patina with time! As a natural, organic material, it can be sensitive to light and humidity. If you regularly wear your shoes in very hot temperatures, treat them like your own skin: avoid prolonged exposure, as some lighter colors can actually "tan" and darken.

  • Replaceable Leather Soles: The wonderful thing about leather soles is that they're designed to be replaced, ensuring your shoes last for years. While they may feel sensitive at first, they quickly toughen up with wear. Try to avoid heavy rain and never submerge them in puddles. If you prefer, you can add a thin rubber "sticker sole" for extra protection, but remember, they're made to be renewed.

  • Fresh Look with New Insoles & Laces: A simple switch can make all the difference! We now offer insoles and shoelaces at Tracey Neuls, perfect for refreshing your favorite pair.

  • Maintain Shape with Shoe Trees: For our softer styles, such as the Magritte, we recommend inserting a shoe tree or tissue paper when not in use to help maintain their original shape.

Special Material Care

Reflective Shoes

Our reflective shoes create a striking visual effect, reacting to light with intense brilliance. However, like any light source, their reflective properties have a lifespan. Please note that these shoes are designed to have a shorter lifespan than a hardy leather equivalent.
  • Avoid Heavy Downpours: While the material is water-resistant (meaning water won't easily penetrate), it is not waterproof. The flexibility of 3M reflective fabric means it can tear if subjected to stresses like rapid drying after heavy rain.

  • Storage: Store your reflective shoes in a dry place and away from direct sunlight to preserve their longevity.

  • Cleaning: For dust or light dirt, we typically suggest using baby wipes, as they are very gentle. Any sensitive shoe cleaning foam or cream will also work well. Brands like Loake or Saphir offer excellent options.


Crepe Soles

Crepe is a natural rubber tapped from the Pará tree, known for being generally low maintenance. For optimal longevity, avoid exposing them to very hot temperatures or petrol oil, which can lead to cracking.

  • Cleaning: To clean natural crepe soles, use an eco-friendly clear detergent mixed with a little warm water. Be careful to avoid splashing the leather. Use a cloth to work into any dirt, and a brush if necessary. Do not use abrasive cleaning solvents, as they can permanently damage the sole.


Patent Leather

Patent leather features a unique plastic coating. Over time, surface creases or cracks may appear, which is a natural characteristic of the material.

  • Cleaning: Clean with a damp cloth or baby wipes, then gently remove any streaks with a dry cloth.


Vegetable-Dyed Leather

Vegetable tanning is an environmentally friendlier and more natural leather dyeing process. This method allows the leather to retain its natural oils, meaning most marks can be rubbed out with gentle finger pressure. This leather ages beautifully, with colors naturally darkening over time.

  • Care: Try to keep it dry, and if it does get wet, allow it to fully dry naturally.


Print, Textile, & Texture

We're renowned for our innovative use of print and texture, creating exceptionally tactile designs. Some materials, suchs as sequins, shimmering fabrics, surface prints, or glass beads, have obvious sensitivities and require extra care. Please consider this when selecting and wearing your shoes.


Repairs

Should you encounter a problem or fault with your Tracey Neuls shoes, please email photos and details to shoes@traceyneuls.com. We will forward them to our production or factory manager for assessment. For more information, feel free to contact us.