2 Minute post #8: Treat your ties and shoes with respect

Another real two minutes post this time. When it comes to clothing, I am sure you are ironing your shirts, or have them ironed. You take care not to spill spaghetti sauce over your suit because the dry cleaner costs you a little fortune…. but ties and shoes, some people seem to ignore.

Never leave your ties tied, and don’t crumble them.
After work, when you switch into something more comfortable and get rid of the leash tie, undo it. NEVER leave the knot it. Your tie will hate you for that, and go all ugly way too soon. When traveling, fold it or roll it up and store it so that nothing with edges can cause the fine fabric (your ties are out of silk, right?!) damage.

Shine your shoes.
Those expensive Oxfords you bought? They need a lot of care, and they deserve it. Even when your shoes were not expensive – shine your shoes, at least every week. Go get some good stuff – real shoe polish that you apply with a soft cloth, let dry, and then polish off. Don’t go for the "quick and easy" stuff.  By the way, my shoemaker gave me a great tip: Instead of using the bulky wooden shoetrees, simply stuff your shoes with newspaper. It has the same effect (keeps the leather in form), does not overstretch your shoes (which shoetrees with springs do) and you save yourself weight and space in your luggage.

Any more tips to add? What is your trick to keep your clothes as sharp as you are on the road?