5 ways to revamp your trainers
Well it’s officially Autumn. Time to wave goodbye to our lovely Summer sandals and hello again to our faithful trainers which will keep our feet warm and cosy in the colder months. Of course having been on the side line for a good few weeks you might have fallen a bit out of love with your trainers, so here are some top tips for revamping your trainers for the Autumn.
Give them a good clean
Are you trainers looking a bit dirty? Of course shoes to tend to get considerably mucky with dust, mud, sweat, and grass stains a plenty especially if, like me, you wear your trainers to walk the dog in the countryside! Giving them a good clean is the first step to giving them a new lease of life. Cleaning trainers is super simple – use a soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush will do) and a mix of warm water and laundry detergent to clean away any dirt or mud from the waterproof parts of the shoe such as the sole, reflective panels or leather detailing. Leave them to dry naturally – not in a dryer which can wear out your beloved trainers.
Get some new laces
A few years ago my husband bought a pair of Solovair boots and to celebrate he spent the next few months buying all sort of different shoe laces to go with his new boots. Getting a new pair of laces for your trainers is a great way to brighten them up and try a new look. Laces come in all sorts of colours, patterns and materials so you can create a fabulous new look in minutes. I really love these rope laces which have a great chunky feel and come in a variety of eye catching patterns.
Get artistic with your sharpie
You don’t need to be a top artist to personalise your old trainers with a new look – you can add your own mark by simply doodling on canvas shoes with permanent or fabric markers like your favourite sharpies! Make sure they are clean (see above) and get sketching. Use pencil first if you’re unsure about your design skills and go over with your markers. Use a combination of colours to create a unique look, be sure to start with the lighter ones and work up to the darker shades.
Add a toe cap
If you don’t want to change all of your trainers then why not just embellish the toe area? It’s super easy. All you need is some super glue or other industrial-strength glue to attach your choice of decorations to the front part of your shoe. Some great options include pendants or brooches, material such as lace, PVC or metal and decorative pieces such as sequins, gems or beads. For something less permanent try clip-on earrings or shoe clips. Be sure that your designs match on both shoes (or if they don’t make it into a feature!)
Break out the glitter
For a really eye catching look why not ditch the dull and go with glitter! Add some sparkle to your old trainers by simply using fabric glue, coloured glitter and an acrylic sealer (or hairspray). Simply combine the glue with your choice of glitter and use a brush to coat your shoes. Be sure to seal your new sparklers once the glue is dry to prevent the glitter to fly away! Why not go for elegant silver or channel Dorothy and go for red!
