A lot of people are magically drawn to goods made of leather, from wallets and boots, to bags, jackets, and even gloves. The appeal isn’t that hard to understand – not only have our ancestors used it for so long that it’s developed its own aura of toughness, but it’s also literally tough. It also just looks really good.

However, leather is also skin, which means it can dry out, crack, stain, and even warp. This makes taking care of leather tricky, as it all comes down on how you want it to look. For some people, they want their leather goods to look clean and polished, while others want a more rugged approach to their leather goods.

As you figure out which approach you want to go for your leather goods, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Know the difference between different leather treatments.
While there are different pros and cons when it comes to the different ways of treating leather, it really comes down to what you want:

Polish – Largely for aesthetic purposes, polish is more about the actual shine of the product instead of protecting it. While many polishes have moisturizer

Conditioner – Applying conditioner prevents leather from drying out and cracking, but keep in mind that conditioner doesn’t waterproof leather. Most conditioners have the consistency of lotion and are rubbed on the surface gently.

2. Allow leather to breathe.
Because leather is essentially animal skin, it needs ventilation to prevent it from hosting mildew and rot. Air passes naturally through leather, allowing moisture to evaporate, but this can’t happen when the leather is in a sealed environment.

3. Go for neutral colors.
Most polishes and creams will come in either black, brown, or neutral colors to match the colors that most leather goods are often available in.

When you do choose to buy leather goods, opt for black as a safer choice. This is because there are simply too many shades of brown for you to choose the right conditioner, and the process will involve a lot of time.

White or gray conditioners that come in a bottle or can are a good choice when it comes to keeping the hue of your leather.

4. Give it a good cleaning at least once a year.
While leather only needs to be cleaned once or twice a year, it should still be cleaned and aerated regularly. A damp cloth will do just fine.

The good news is that most leather goods will not need waterproofing, as they are already pre-treated with a waterproofing agent that will allow them to be fine when exposed to rain.

(Disclaimer: This list is compiled in no particular order.)

Finding the right shoes not only enhances your overall look but you’re also investing in quality items that can last for years.

Consider not just the brand, color and design. Here are other things you should look for..

1. Know your shoe size. There are a lot of shoe size charts that companies use. Knowing your size in the standard charts will help you cut time trying them on. For adult females, 83/16 to 33/8 inches is size 4 and 4.5 in US and size 35 in Euro. For men 91/4 to 91/2 inches is size 6 and 6.5 in US and size 39 in Euro.

2. Measure your feet. If you don’t know what your size is, ask the salesperson to measure your feet for you. Shops should have a measuring tool ready. Your feet will also grow over time, even as an adult. Ill-fitting shoes can cause bunions, claw toes, hammer toes, mallet toes, corns and calluses.

3. Sometimes it isn’t enough. Buying shoes online can be a waste of time and money. It’s better to try the pair on before you purchase. Shoe sizes are not similar among all brands of shoes. Other brands also have half sizes available.

4. Know the materials. Examine the interior and exterior of the shoes. If you have foot problems, pick pairs that have arch support and heel cushioning and avoid flat slip-on shoes. If you have sweaty feet, don’t pick vinyl or plastic.

5. When trying on shoes. Try shoes during the afternoon because your feet has expanded by then. Put on your socks too to see if the shoes still fit properly with it. Try walking around with the shoes and look in the mirror.

6. Width and length. Some shoes look great on the shelves, but when you try them on, they look bulky or narrow. The soles will also feel smaller or bigger. If your toes feel like they’re compressed, don’t buy it. You should still be able to wiggle them.

7. Comfort over style. Make sure that there’s enough room for your feet when buying closed shoes. It doesn’t have to be loose or half a size bigger, but there should at least be half an inch between the front of the shoe and your toes. Your toes should not splay or spill over the front of the shoes when you’re buying open-toed shoes.

8. You should use it. If it’s within your budget, the next thing you should consider is how often you’re planning to use it. If it’s for casual wear and you’re particular with matching colors, you should know if you can pair it up with your clothes.

9. Shoes with a function. Some shoes have special functions like athletic shoes. Some feature shock absorption, support, deodorizer and extra cushioning.

10. Replacing shoes. Worn-out shoes are bad for your feet not only because they’re unfashionable but they won’t provide your feet with the same protection. Even athletic shoes that are worn out should be replaced.

You still look good despite the stress and the hard work. That is called grace under pressure. How will you look good? You need to observe proper grooming and of course, you need to pep up your office wears. If in this case you are having problems with your office wears (being too common and repetitive), there are many tips that you can consider.

So, here are some tips on how to pep up your office wears:

• Tops: Do not look for tops that are body-hugging or tight-fitting. Your skin will feel comfortable if you choose blouses that are flowing.
• Pants: Like your tops, it is good if you allow your legs to breathe by wearing pants with wide legs. Avoid tight ones.
• Culottes: Culottes are famous these days. Culottes refer to divided skirts which are perfect garments in summer. Culottes are easy to wear plus it will show your tan. Look for skirts that are not too short though. To help elongate your frame, you can wear heels.

• Jackets: Blazers are out. Blazers are too formal and well, boring. Look for jackets that are soft and lighter. Opt for navy, black or grey colours but if you inject bright colours, it will surely lift your look.
• Dresses: Dresses are your easy pass when you are planning to go out after work. Make sure that it is not too short when you go to your office. It can take you straight to bars too if you know how to reinvent it.

It is a nice feeling knowing that you look good here in Singapore. Your fellow Singaporeans will surely see you as their model. Pep up your office wears now and see the difference. You can shop new things if you like.

If you are a fashion enthusiast, you never miss a season. You look forward to the showcase of designs for every season and more importantly, you are excited to see who dominates the catwalk. For this season, who will star the Paris fashion show? This is not a question because all people in the fashion know the answer.

Singaporeans like fashion. That is not surprising because many Singaporeans are “fashionistas” by heart. There will be an event in Paris that will highlight the designs of Nicolas Ghesquiere for nine days. The fashion show will showcase RTW (Ready-to-Wear) for their autumn/winter 2014-15 collections. The event will start on February 25, 2014.

Nicolas Ghesquiere is a former designer of Balenciaga. Ghesquiere moved to Louis Vuitton and made a name. His brands are so famous that long queues are seen in department stores. As if it is not enough, he also received commendations on his October 2013 show. Ghesquiere is commended for making the stodgy house into one of the most preferred brands around the world.

The guy reinvented Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton needs new hands since other brands are emerging. According to some reports, after parting Balenciaga, Ghesquiere was courted by Dior but he emerged in Louis Vuitton. Marc Jacobs, who recently made it to the billionaires list, is excited to see how Ghesquiere performs.

Harper Bazaar magazine thinks that the show of Ghesquiere will be the most anticipated show in the season. Aside from Nicolas Ghesquiere, the fashion industry is also eyeing Yiqing Yin who is the creative director of the Leonard.

Designers and publishers are looking forward to the show which will end on March 5, 2014. The show will feature more than ninety shows. You can get updates by reading the magazines. You may not be physically present in the show but you can know the happenings. Watch out for fashion magazines.