Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

One of my favourite vintage pairs and watch dials. My kids urged me to get the Grimace socks so I tried to match the purple and yellow.

These were custom made Golden Harvests sized 9eee but fit like 8.5eee which are perfect for me. Martin Sugg rebuilt with JR soles, toe taps, and cat paw heels.

 

[KarlHungus]

AE Hinsdale from early 2000s. Yes, left and right shoe are slightly different shades.

 

[friendlygoz]

93605s today…

 

[suitforcourt]

My mom gifted me these Johnston Murphys in deer skin back when I entered the workforce in 2008. I didn't know how to size my feet so these are 10, when I needed 8.5eee.

These are cemented construction but they've held up over time. A cobbler replaced the top lifts and added sole protectors.

Deer skin is super soft.

Paired with a watch that my aunt gifted me when I was 16.

 

[Raimar]

Amazing pair! Size 9 from the page.

Used 2pr Florsheim Men’s Dress Oxfords Size 9 | ShopGoodwill.com

shopgoodwill.com

 

[jellyroller]

Questions for you vintage shoe enthusiasts...

Let's say you buy a used pair of vintage Edward Greens on eBay. You get the right size/last, but the shoes are worn enough that the footbeds have molded to the prior owner's feet. You feel like you're wearing another person's shoes and it's uncomfortable.

What do you do? Can you take them to a cobbler and get the footbed replaced / feeling new again? Do you send them to Edward Green for refurbishment? Or are you just out of luck and stuck with an uncomfortable pair of shoes?

 

[actionjbone]

Questions for you vintage shoe enthusiasts...

Let's say you buy a used pair of vintage Edward Greens on eBay. You get the right size/last, but the shoes are worn enough that the footbeds have molded to the prior owner's feet. You feel like you're wearing another person's shoes and it's uncomfortable.

What do you do? Can you take them to a cobbler and get the footbed replaced / feeling new again? Do you send them to Edward Green for refurbishment? Or are you just out of luck and stuck with an uncomfortable pair of shoes?

You can definitely get the footbed replaced. It's best to do that as part of a full recraft, since it requires taking the shoes apart.

Alternately, if there's space inside the shoe, you can try adding a thin insole.

If the soles are very worn down, I'd just go with the recraft. Make sure to ask for new footbeds.

 

[Satoman1]

Questions for you vintage shoe enthusiasts...

Let's say you buy a used pair of vintage Edward Greens on eBay. You get the right size/last, but the shoes are worn enough that the footbeds have molded to the prior owner's feet. You feel like you're wearing another person's shoes and it's uncomfortable.

What do you do? Can you take them to a cobbler and get the footbed replaced / feeling new again? Do you send them to Edward Green for refurbishment? Or are you just out of luck and stuck with an uncomfortable pair of shoes?

That is the cork in the midsole has been pressed to fit the previous owner's foot. Replacing the footbed will not change anything I think, you have to take it to cobber to resole.

Edward Green has a factory resole service so you can send it to them, the cost I remember is about $350, it's the best way if you're willing to spend the money because the shoes last will not be changed after factory resole, they even can downsize the shoes for you if it is too big.

 

[WoolyLamb]

WTW

 

[suitforcourt]

Questions for you vintage shoe enthusiasts...

Let's say you buy a used pair of vintage Edward Greens on eBay. You get the right size/last, but the shoes are worn enough that the footbeds have molded to the prior owner's feet. You feel like you're wearing another person's shoes and it's uncomfortable.

What do you do? Can you take them to a cobbler and get the footbed replaced / feeling new again? Do you send them to Edward Green for refurbishment? Or are you just out of luck and stuck with an uncomfortable pair of shoes?

A full rebuild will fix your issue. New footbed and corking will give fresh feel.

Whether you go with CJ, or a reputable cobbler, make sure you insist on new footbed. The latter is not automatically done, in my experience.

 

[suitforcourt]

WTW.

Alberto Suastez applied his museum dye to these really beat up 93602s.

 

[memoriastoica]

These Weyenberg Massagics are one of my favorite pairs. Unfortunately, the french binding is falling apart and the heels have a tear in the leather. If I could somehow get a NOS version I would be thrilled.

 

[mormonopoly]

Recently I've been wearing these 1940s Stetson wingtips.

 

[mormonopoly]

Another unworn pair from the collection: these are 1970s Nettleton 0205 longwings

 

[friendlygoz]

C&J in brown shell today…