Having been born in Indiana, I share a lot of the Midwest Protestantism of my forebears and prolonged household. I imagine laborious work usually does repay. I believe a “thanks” can go a great distance. And, I imagine, too, that spending upwards of $500 on a single pair of footwear could be a bit ridiculous. Which is why I do not. Or, slightly, I have not since 2019, after I began utilizing a cobbler.
I do know that footwear aren’t constructed the way in which they was—however some are. And people are normally an funding. For those who’re fed up with low-cost, uncomfortable footwear that wears out in lower than a yr, then you definately’re higher off shopping for high quality footwear after which caring for that funding.
For a lot of, a cobbler might seem to be an antiquated occupation. And there’s something virtually Victorian about it—up there with chimney sweeps and blacksmiths. However, I guarantee you, a cobbler has saved my checking account and made luxurious footwear extra accessible for me.
After all, not each city has a cobbler anymore. They are a breed {of professional} that works by word-of-mouth and probably an out-dated Fb web page, so Googling for one can typically be tough. However when you discover a good one, maintain onto them. Nobody falls into being a cobbler. It is a ability that requires equal elements labor, endurance and an appreciation of heritage. Most cobblers I’ve met have performed an apprenticeship or grew up within the commerce. They care about their merchandise and, by extension, your happiness.
So why am I singing the praises of a cobbler? Straightforward—they’re my best-kept secret to proudly owning Prada, Gucci and Stubbs & Wootton footwear with out ever spending retail. And now, you fortunate factor, I am sharing my secret with you.
I really like a cut price (keep in mind, I am from the Midwest) and do lots of perusing on second-hand websites reminiscent of Poshmark, The Actual Actual and even good ol’ eBay. I search for footwear with potential (and a luxurious identify by no means hurts). Just a few scuff marks do not deter me. The truth is, a pair of Stubbs & Wootton had a complete sole damaged and I nonetheless grabbed them. The more severe off, the cheaper these merchandise are. Like a dilapidated home or a rambunctious pet, it is all about seeing the potential.
These then go proper to the cobbler. I normally have a dialog in regards to the shoe in query and we determine the very best strategy and price. A resole versus gluing the prevailing sole again on? Do we have to stretch it to go a dimension up? How dangerous are the scuffs? Can you reside with them to save lots of a number of {dollars}? In my expertise, having these conversations in regards to the shoe makes it simpler to know what the expectation is for its return—and no surprises on the invoice later.
Per week later and I am driving my means again to the cobbler. I normally put on one thing I can simply kick off so I can put on my “new” footwear residence. I am somewhat too happy with myself after I cease by the greenback retailer to get cat litter in a pair of Gucci mules—however who am I to care? I am dwelling within the euphoria of a great deal.
Cobblers, at all times a little bit of an endangered species within the twentieth century, are set to be extinct quickly, I am afraid. My very own cobbler is a seventh-generation skilled who’s trying to promote his store and get out of the enterprise. So, perhaps subsequent time you purchase a pair of second-hand footwear you may ship them to a cobbler first. Think about it your good deed for the day (or, at the very least that is what I inform my husband when he asks what the hell I acquired on eBay this week).
