Distressed Service Boot
In preparation for our Spring tradeshows, we recently decided to distress a single Service Boot sample to take with us as a prop. We wanted to see how quickly, and to what extreme, we could speed up the aging process. We used a lightweight Italian Calfskin for the upper and a full leather sole with hobnails in the heel. It was soaked, bent, tied up, and left to dry in a burlap sack. The result is a weathered, mouldy boot that looks more like it was excavated than manufactured just a few weeks ago. Exactly what we had hoped for.
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The boot is filled with water to soften the leather insole.
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The boot is bent into an upturned position.
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Then tied to keep its shape.
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Ready to be soaked.
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Filled until the boot is fully submerged.
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Left to soak with our leather counters.
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Post soak.
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Oxidized hobnails.
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Sealed airtight and left to dry in a burlap sack for one week.
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The finished product, laced and on display at Bread & Butter Berlin.