Frugalista Fashions: Making your old boots look new

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

30 Aug 2009 07:43 PM

As winter approaches the shoe stores are filling up with books and other winter shoes. The thing is this years boots don't look much different from last year's boots.

I have seem some trends toward boots that come up over the knee and some slouch boots too, but the classics are still classics. With that said, why not refurbish last years boots to wear this year?

The first step to fixing up your new boots is to examine the bottoms. I tend to pronate my feet a little when I walk so my shoes are worn a bit more on the outside. This means a trip to the shoe shop to repair the heels. My shoe shop does this for $15.00. To get another year's wear on a $100 or more pair of boots, this is a good deal.

When you get your boots back, if the shoe repair service hasn't already cleaned your boots, use saddle soap and a brush to clean your boots. There are different versions of saddle soap for suede or leather. When your boots are clean, use a waterproof conditioner to protect them from the elements. Finally buff them (if leather) to brand new condition with shoe polish, (you should be doing this monthly anyway).

Once your boots are repaired, clean, and shiny, look into accessorizing them. One thing all the new boots this year have in common are buckles, and belts. Just because your old boots don't have buckles doesn't mean you can't add them. Booty Bling!(TM), a new company has designed little belts to dress up your boots. This is a wonderful invention because you can purchase one pair of boots and wear different bling to make each pair of boots completely different.

The only problem with Booty Bling!™ is that they cost $29.00. Some people won't pay that for a pair of boots, and personally, neither will I unless the boots were originally $100.

However, there happens to be another company by the same name (I sense trouble. Booty Bling by Madeline Beth has a similar concept except there is alot more bling. Where Booty Bling!(TM) are small leather belts for your boots, Booty Bling by Madeline Beth are made of chains, trinkets, and gems. The problem with these is they cost even more than the others. $50.00 seems to be the asking price.

While I love this concept, I not willing to pay for it when I can go into my junk jewelry box and find some necklaces and charms to wrap around the ankle of my boots. I can even go to thrift shops purchase some old beat up boots that have buckles to use on my good boots.

Andrea Hermitt writes for parenting (specifically teens), the home blog, and also the frugal blog, and homeschooling at families.com.

Also read:

Organizing Shoes

Frugalista Fashions: Have you done your winter shopping yet?

Frugalista Fashions: Buying Clothes on Ebay

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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