Victorian Era
The Victorian Era, the time during the reign of English Queen Victoria, could be called a time of ridiculously proper manners. The social and moral values as well as fashion were influence by Queen Victoria. These values included devotion to family life, public and private responsibility, and obedience to the law. Table legs were covered with skirts so as not to be too "arousing" and well-bred women could not even be considered to have anything as indecent as legs. Victorians were masters of euphemism and legs were referred delicately as the "lower limb". These lower limbs were kept completely covered by long skirts and crinolines and such was the pressure to conceal what was considered forbidden fruit that ankle boots came into fashion as a way to avoid accidentally revealing a glimpse of the forbidden.

The Sneaker Era
The word sneaker is traditionally defined a shoe consisting of a solid rubber sole attached to an upper made, usually, of canvas. While rubber soled shoes called plimsolls had been in use for some time for aristocratic lawn sports, and King Henry VIII was reported to have worn a sneaker-like shoe for playing tennis, the true life of the sneaker did not begin until American inventor Charles Goodyear patented the process for vulcanization of rubber. Until that time, the sneaker as we know it now, was simply not possible. The oldest sneakers used for basketball are thought to be the Converse All Stars, first produced in 1917, but the Spalding company produced shoes in 1907 specifically for the game of basketball. Still these are not the oldest sneakers. A discovery at an estate sale has led experts to believe that the first basketball shoes were produced by Colchester Rubber Company of Colchester, Connecticut who went out of business in 1893. While there is no significant evidence to point to the use of these shoes for basketball, it seems that shoes that were produced just a few miles from the birthplace of basketball just two years after the invention of the game would certainly have been used for basketball.cheap jordans and air force ones

Protection
So now that you have opened the box and tried on your new shoes, the first step to making them last is protection. Apply a protective product to the shoe before you ever step outside your house. Protective products can be in the form of oil, wax, and silicone spray available at most shoe stores. These form a barrier that prevents water, dirt, and stains penetrating the upper. Each type of material (leather, suede, nylon etc) requires a special type of protective product. Do your research and choose which one is best for your shoes.

Exterior Maintenance
All shoes require a certain amount of cleaning and upkeep. A few tips to keep your shoes in good condition.cheap jordans and air force ones

If you can avoid it, don't wear the same shoes every day. Not only does this keep them from wearing out, but it's also good for your body. Allow the shoes a day or two to rest and dry before wearing again.

Never put your shoes in the washer or immerse them in water. For regular sneakers made of canvas like our Converse Chuck Taylors, hand wash with a mild detergent (nothing works quite like old-fashioned Ivory soap) and cold water. Allow them to air dry after washing and do not throw them in the dryer unless you want them to lose their shape and/or melt.

Nylon and nylon mesh sneakers can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but with nylon the key is prevention. Spraying nylon shoes periodically with a silicone spray will keep dirt and stains from clinging. Again, you should never immerse these shoes or put them through the wash cycle.

Smooth leather shoes, like Havana Joe Oxfords, we recommend special shoe cream or polish. Choose the color closest to the color of your shoes or a neutral color. Use a soft cloth to dust the leather and then apply the cream. If you have some stains on the leather, a well wrung cloth can be use to gently scrub the stains off. Dry thoroughly before applying the shoe polish. Polishing leather shoes takes time, but it is worth the effort. Remember never polish wet shoes or you could damage the leather. For minor scuffs, try rubbing it with your hand and letting the natural oils restore the leather. Saddle soap is also a great way to treat your leather shoes.cheap jordans and air force ones

Suede shoes can be the most difficult to care for. Suede attracts stains and can be difficult to remove because getting the suede wet can ruin the shoes. For minor dirt and stains, try a soft brush (an old toothbrush is great for this) to gently brush away the dirt and scrub any staining. Again, prevention is the key. Regular brushing will keep the nap of the suede clean and looking nice, but stubborn stains can be removed with a commercial stain remover suitable for suede. Choose a suitable product and follow the directions carefully.

Nubuck and durabuck leather should be treated the same way as suede with regular brushing and an appropriate stain remover when necessary.
 

Travel became a popularcheap jordans and air force ones leisure pastime with the wealthy. Eastern fabrics and fashion fused with classic French design and became symbolic of one's sophisticated lifestyle and understanding of the world. Shoe styles had names like The Empress. Increased trade worldwide and better methods of transport brought delicate silk and cotton gauzes and other sheer fabric for dresses and of course, shoes were needed to match. The shoes were often decorated with beads, pearls, or rhinestones despite the fact that they were meant to be concealed. The fashion and social pressure to conceal women's legs and feet cause a surge of shoe and foot related pornography in London. Unsurprisingly it is at this time that Baron Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, from whence we originate the word masochism, wrote freely of experiences with his mistress in which allowed her to whip and walk on him before kissing the shoes that had caused him pain. Sacher-Masoch, a product of Victorian obsession with shoes and feet, wrote in his book Venus in Furs that his ideal woman was a cruel woman in furs and high heels.

Synthetic durabuck can be cleaned with Ivory soap, cold water, and (you guessed it) the toothbrush. Allow to air dry and be sure to clean them after they have been exposed to dirt or mud.

Are the soles of your shoes looking worn and dirty? Try a toothbrush and some Oxyclean paste (made according to the instructions) or Simple Green cleaning spray. Both products are all natural and environmentally friendly. Use sparingly with lots of elbow grease to clean the soles of your shoes.cheap jordans and air force ones

Replacement
Shoes are subject to wear and tear. Most experts say that you should replace heavily used athletic shoes (regular runners, joggers, and basketball players this means you) every three to four months. Replace less regularly worn shoes every six months to a year. So when the end has come, your shoes have reached their golden years, and you're ready to retire them to the collection or consign them to the trash, come back to Sneakerhead.com for a replacement of your Nikes, Puma, Adidas, or Jordan shoes. Let one of our experts help you choose your next great pair of shoes.

Victorian life also generated an interest in sports and other physical activities. In 1891, James Naismith created the game of basketball to tame a crowd of unruly students at Springfield College during the harsh New England winters. With the birth of basketball came the birth of the Sneaker Era.