Man, it is getting cold. And even though everyone who likes fashion is supposed to be thrilled at the onset of fall, when clothes, hair, and makeup all kick it up a notch, and fashion magazines are bigger than Bibles, I still shed a little tear everytime I face another long stretch of chill. I am, however, proud of having already gotten something accomplished, and that’s a massive cobbling attack on my shoe wardrobe, rectifying pairs I haven’t worn for sometimes over a year because of damage. It’s sort of like getting new shoes. Almost. And, when you do go all out and buy that pair of winter boots or party pumps, we all know to get the soles covered in waterproof rubber.

I’m terribly lucky to be cohabitating with someone who is an excellent cobbler, but if he passes on a task I usually take my shoes to Rubio’s or Nob Hill Shoe Repair (although if you want some Rubio’s action, you better hurry—the beloved shoe repair pro is closing shop at the end of this year!) A reader wrote in extolling the virtues of this place, but the Tigard location is kind of a deal breaker for me. Where do you take your nice shoes for maintenance?

Keeping investment pieces in good repair (like these Dries Van Noten shoes, available at Halo) is vital.