Shoe Hardware Question

I found a pair of shoes that I love - they are a pair of Mary Janes with a more 'rounded' square toe and the heel height is perfect.

The problem is they have a gold buckle - I never wear gold and I know this is going to bug me if I leave them like that. Is it possible to have the buckle changed by a shoe repair place or will this be a monster repair job? (the buckle is pretty tiny).

Thanks in advance!

I was about to post a similar question! I bought a nice pair of black pumps with shiny gold metal tassels. I was thinking of 'dulling' the finish with some type of solvent. I like the tassel, I just want it silver or pewter colour, not shiny gold. FWIW Edlynne, I'm sure a shoe repair place could replace the buckle without too much hassle, but I would ask to see the replacement buckle before having anything done. They might not have anything in stock that matches the scale and style of the existing buckle. If anyone has any other ideas about turning shiny gold into a silvery finish without damaging the shoe leather, please let us know.

Cannot help you with turning it in a silvery finish. However, you can turn it into a matte gold by using a small piece of fine sandpaper. Just make sure you use the sandpaper in the same direction. It would certainly be less noticeable if it was a matte finish. We used to take sterling silver in jewelry class and create another look by using sandpaper.

Short answer is 'yes' - a good shoe repair shop could change out a buckle.

The longer answer is 'maybe'. Maybe if they can find a suitable buckle to replace it with (similar size and dimension). Maybe their prices are reasonable enough for you to let 'em try. Also do you know of a 'good shop' - there are plenty of hacks out there but few really good shops anymore. After all how many folks have shoes fixed anymore (besides myself).

A close friend of our family grew up the son of a cobbler. He grew up on the near northside of Chicago - a huge Polish family. He and his many brothers (like six or seven) all ended up in the shoe business (manufacturing and engineering - not repair). They learned shoe business about the time they learned to walk. They all worked in their fathers shop at one time oran other. If you can find a good repair shop with real cobblers - like this guys father - they should be able to build shoes from scratch, to your size and specifications, let alone repair a buckle.

Good luck to you.

jjm