Restoring Leather Discoloration?

[WoodNUFC]

Good afternoon everyone,
I've learned a lot from reading the Haberdashery the last couple of weeks, but I have a question for you shoe experts out there.

My wife recently returned from South Africa where she purchase a pair of tan leather shoes. In the return trip the shoes were damaged. The bag they were in developed a friction hole, and burnt through some of her other souvenirs. The shoes have patches of discoloration. I don't know if the two incidents are related are not. I don't feel any scuffs, so I don't think it is a result of the 'friction hole'.

Anyway, she is very distraught because her mother paid for the shoes and she hasn't even worn them. The only thing I could think of was to apply some leather conditioner, but it doesn't seem to have helped.Is there anything I can do to help the situation?

 

[jhe888]

Use some shoe cream in a matching color. It should help.

 

[Allan Pollock]

I suggest to either take them to a trusted cobbler or just wear them. The discolouration doesn't seem too bad and this kind of thing tends to even out after a few months of use....it'll be covered over by patina soon enough. Also, if it was dammaged by a fluid, it will even out as the fluid dries and spreads, combines with sweat from feet, water from rain, etc..

 

[deburn]

I would use either cream or polish in a slightly darker color. Apply with a cloth (old Tshirts work great) and brush with a horsehair brush (cheap and easily available). I know your wife's really hassled by it, but it's not that big a deal - it's leather and that mark will become much less noticeable over time and become part of the character of the shoe

 

[WoodNUFC]

Thanks guys. I'll give the polish a try. I know she's annoyed since she hasn't had a chance to wear them yet, but I'm sure they will be fine once she starts wearing them.

Thanks again.