How-to (Tricks)

It's important to treat them while they're still damp: Attach each shoe to a hardcover book with two heavy rubber bands (one at each end), then place bathroom tissues or a foam shoe shaper (Dasco makes good ones: brooksshoeservice.com) under the front straps to absorb some of the moisture and help reshape the shoe. Let them dry naturally—heat could cause the leather to crack—and apply two coats of leather conditioner to keep them soft.

Tip: If your sandals are already dried out and the tips curled up, don't despair. Just take them to be resoled: The new sole will force the toe to flatten out.