New leather shoes are an investment that sends a message. They let other people know that you take pride in your appearance. Leather shoes should last for years if you take proper care of them. They require regular cleaning, polishing and conditioning. If you notice wear and tear (such as on the heels), have it repaired as soon as possible.

Wipe down your new leather shoes with a soft cloth to get rid of any dust. Dust can collect in the creases and rub at the finish when you walk in the shoes.

Apply a shoe conditioner every other time you polish your shoes. This will replace any lost oils and keep the leather supple. Only rub in enough conditioner to lightly cover the shoes.

Apply a small amount of shoe polish to a test area of the shoe to ensure that it is the right color. Rub down the rest of the shoes with the polish. Nordstrom recommends using a cream polish, rather than one that contains alcohol. An alcohol-based polish can dry out the leather.

Allow the cream polish to dry for a few minutes. Buff the shoes with a soft cloth.

Weatherproof your new leather shoes to protect them from the rain. Use a silicone-based spray, rather than mink oil, as mink oil can lighten the leather. However, you should never use a silicone spray on suede. Follow the directions on the product you select.