Reduce. Rewear. Repair. I tried Coblrshop, an online shoe repair service that allows you to repair your favorite shoes from the comfort of your couch.
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There’s something special about my black suede ankle boots. They’ve seen countless adventures—from city strolls to cozy café outings. But wear and tear finally took their toll. Scuffs and scratches marred their elegant surface and all those strolls tore into the soles leaving them in dire need of being spruced up. I faced a tough choice: replace them or find a cobbler to breathe new life into my favorite footwear.
Finding a cobbler is not as easy as it used to be. With the rise of fast fashion, repairing beloved clothing and accessories has become something in the past. There’s an episode from ‘Season 3, Episode 8’ of Sex in the City where Carrie is dismayed to find that her favorite shoe repair shop has been replaced by a comic book store. That was in 2000, but the episode highlighted a growing shift away from cobblers and repair shops. I too have experienced my own fair share of loved cobblers closing their shops. So, it was refreshing to find Coblrshop, an online service where you can mail your favorite heels or boots in desperate need of TLC to be repaired and shipped back to you.
My Coblrshop Experience
Right: After Left: Before
In a world obsessed with fast fashion, tossing damaged items into the trash has become something I see all too often walking past trash bins in the city. In the U.S alone we throw away an estimated 300 million pairs of shoes. As someone consciously choosing the reuse, repair, and recycling lifestyle, I’ve been investing in repair services instead buying new- from furniture to clothing to shoes. So, I was thrilled when I had the opportunity try Coblrshop’s repair services. By repairing my go-to ankle boots, I’m reducing waste and stepping away from the cycle of buying and discarding.
Finding Repair Shops Near Me: Fast Fashion’s Sustainability Shift
To begin, I needed to assess the damage thoroughly. My boots had scuffed toes, scratches on the sides, fading color, and a worn-out sole. With the issues identified, I headed to Cobler Shop’s website. Their range of repairs made it easy to choose the repairs I needed and understand the cost. The form took less than 5 minutes to fill out. A few days later, a pre-packaged bag arrived for me to put my damaged shoes into.
Two weeks later, my shoes were returned to me in a shoe box and with a cotton bag for storage. They looked brand new. The suede had been brushed and cleaned of dirt and debris. The scuffs and scratches were buffed away. And the soles were fully replaced. Before starting repairs, I took photos to document the condition of my boots to serve as a reminder of how far they would come after the repair process. So, you can view for yourself the expert care and service these boots received. All in all, it was a seamless process that extended the life of a pair of shoes I might otherwise have given to Goodwill or thrown away.
Choosing to repair my boots showcases a deeper commitment to the environment. Each repair means one less item in landfills, contributing to a healthier planet. Coblrshop makes it easy to do so from the comfort of your home.
To prolong the life of my footwear, I learned a few crucial tips:
- Regularly clean to avoid dirt buildup: Purchasing a suede brush to regularly sweep off dirt is one way to avoid buildup.
- Use a protective spray for suede: Purchasing a suede spray to protect shoes from moisture is an effective way to ensure they’ll look good in the long run.
- Properly store them to maintain shape: Coblrshop sent my shoes back with a cotton bag. Storing shoes in a bag or box away from sunlight will protect them from dust or sun exposure which can bleach leather.
Wearing my repaired boots is a daily reminder of my commitment to sustainable living. They not only look incredible but also tell a story—one of care, effort, and respect for our planet. I made a promise to support brands that prioritize sustainability. Companies like Cobler Shop show that repair services are essential for eco-friendly fashion.
