My First Dr. Martens

I had secretly admired Dr. Martens since my student days, as I often saw my friends wearing them.
While I thought they looked cool, I wasn't very used to wearing boots myself, and I also thought that famous yellow stitching might be a bit too flashy for me... so I had never bought a pair.
The other day, I saw a pair of shoes with a design that caught my eye at a store I was passing by.

The MAYFARE 3-eye shoe in cherry red.

I was drawn to their glossy shine and beautiful color.
Apparently, it's called Arcadia leather, a two-tone color where black is applied over a base color.
The shape is a plain-toe derby? Ever since I became interested in men's fashion after reading 'Ousama no Shitateya' (a manga), I had been wondering if there were any women's shoes that looked like these men's leather shoes.
When I tried them on, they had a size that fit, and since they were 10% off for the spring new life support fair... I decided to buy them on the spot.

The toe and heel have a strong reddish gradient. It seems the color will gradually change as I wear them.
When I was so excited that I showed them off to my father, he was surprised by how shiny and flashy they were, but he told me it was a nice color.
He also said, 'It'll be a huge shock if you scratch them, just display them instead of wearing them,'... haha.

But they really are such beautiful shoes, and I thought it would be fun to go out wearing them, so I immediately wore them out for a day. I was so excited.
The soles are thicker than my usual shoes, so I felt like I was floating off the ground and wasn't used to it.
Plus, the leather is still super stiff. I tried wearing thick socks, but by the time I got home, I was exhausted and wobbly. But I'm sure they'll get used to my feet from now on.

By the way, it's only natural, but when I walk or crouch, wrinkles form around the instep of the shoes.
I suppose that's to be expected, they are leather shoes. But it was a big shock to me. Just as much as getting a scratch, I'm sure.

After all, I was attracted to that initial shine, so I want to wear them in as beautiful a condition as possible.
I searched for how to smooth out wrinkles.

...Shoe trees???

They look like cool wooden forms; I knew they existed, but I've probably never seen the real thing at home, and I don't have one ready. I did buy care creams, but... a blind spot...
Thinking it was the least I could do, I stuffed the paper that was inside when I bought them back in. Maybe it's a little better...
People who are particular about their shoes even pay attention to how these wrinkles form. It's a world I didn't know.

For now, I'll try polishing them with cream as practice for care.
...Has the shine become dull???
Is it my imagination? Maybe it's my polishing method. It's my first day debuting leather shoes, after all...
And is it really okay to use a 'brush' on this glossy leather? It's terrifying. They say horsehair is soft, but I think it's normally hard... I'm supposed to rub it with this? Really? Are you serious? I still don't have the courage for a brush.

It seems that maintaining them once a month makes them last longer. Also, let them rest for a few days after wearing them for a day.
I'll definitely never wear them to work, as I bought them specifically for going out, so that should be fine.

This is the first time I've bought shoes that require so much care. They feel like a demanding princess.
But I've been excited from the moment I bought them. I've worn them a few times before writing this, and going out is so much fun.
I'll continue to enjoy life with these difficult leather shoes while using trial and error.