I agree with Quigs. The comments following the article offer differing opinions.
In any case, all leather soles show wear. They rub against the ground, every step we take in them. So, I find the author's pronouncement of her shoes as "wrecked" a little ridiculous given the circumstances.
If you ask, every retailer of designer shoes will discuss the benefits of having a protective sole added to your shoes, without exception. This is not necessary, but it is less expensive in the long run with regard to extending the life of a designer shoe. On the other hand, it's perfectly fine to wear your shoes with the original soles intact and have them re-soled when needed.
In the case of the author's experience, the sole was likely fine, since the cobbler merely added a rubber half sole protector. Moreover, when the cobbler adds a rubber half sole protector, the process involves grinding down the sole anyway.
As for your comment re: CLs: polish is a remedy to restore a sole - not a protectant. Ladies who want to protect their CLs for outdoor wear, typically have rubber half-soles added to their shoes by a cobbler. Or they wear one pair of shoes outdoors - and switch into CLs indoors.
Why aren't designer shoes protected for outdoor wear with more durable soles? Many women who primarily wear their designer shoes indoors don't need a shoe with a durable sole. Moreover, even though many designers offer shoes with rubber soles, many designer shoe fans tend to complain about the "cheapness" of rubber soles vs. leather soles.
In the end, how well shoes will wear under your use and care is entirely personal. If you're hard on your shoes, then it will be likely that designer shoes will be no exception. In which case, you'll probably prefer avoiding more delicate materials (i.e. metallics, specchio, silk, embellished decorations, etc.) and you'll probably prefer to have your soles protected prior to wearing them.
Personally, I love the feel of wearing the original soles on my designer shoes. So I don't have any protectors on my shoes. But, I'm not very hard on my shoes. Nevertheless, I've walked outdoors for hours at a time - for years - and not had a single problem with my Jimmy Choos. Did the sole remain a pristine beige color after wear? Of course not. Neither did the soles on my other pairs of designer shoes with beige soles (i.e. Chanel, Valentino, Dior, etc.). Moreover, a scratch here or there doesn't bother me. They're shoes. I don't expect them to be invincible, and it doesn't bother me when they show normal signs of wear.
If the "investment" seems high to you for a pair of shoes, you can try the designer sales and outlets for your first few pairs. GL!
In any case, all leather soles show wear. They rub against the ground, every step we take in them. So, I find the author's pronouncement of her shoes as "wrecked" a little ridiculous given the circumstances.
If you ask, every retailer of designer shoes will discuss the benefits of having a protective sole added to your shoes, without exception. This is not necessary, but it is less expensive in the long run with regard to extending the life of a designer shoe. On the other hand, it's perfectly fine to wear your shoes with the original soles intact and have them re-soled when needed.
In the case of the author's experience, the sole was likely fine, since the cobbler merely added a rubber half sole protector. Moreover, when the cobbler adds a rubber half sole protector, the process involves grinding down the sole anyway.
As for your comment re: CLs: polish is a remedy to restore a sole - not a protectant. Ladies who want to protect their CLs for outdoor wear, typically have rubber half-soles added to their shoes by a cobbler. Or they wear one pair of shoes outdoors - and switch into CLs indoors.
Why aren't designer shoes protected for outdoor wear with more durable soles? Many women who primarily wear their designer shoes indoors don't need a shoe with a durable sole. Moreover, even though many designers offer shoes with rubber soles, many designer shoe fans tend to complain about the "cheapness" of rubber soles vs. leather soles.
In the end, how well shoes will wear under your use and care is entirely personal. If you're hard on your shoes, then it will be likely that designer shoes will be no exception. In which case, you'll probably prefer avoiding more delicate materials (i.e. metallics, specchio, silk, embellished decorations, etc.) and you'll probably prefer to have your soles protected prior to wearing them.
Personally, I love the feel of wearing the original soles on my designer shoes. So I don't have any protectors on my shoes. But, I'm not very hard on my shoes. Nevertheless, I've walked outdoors for hours at a time - for years - and not had a single problem with my Jimmy Choos. Did the sole remain a pristine beige color after wear? Of course not. Neither did the soles on my other pairs of designer shoes with beige soles (i.e. Chanel, Valentino, Dior, etc.). Moreover, a scratch here or there doesn't bother me. They're shoes. I don't expect them to be invincible, and it doesn't bother me when they show normal signs of wear.
If the "investment" seems high to you for a pair of shoes, you can try the designer sales and outlets for your first few pairs. GL!
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