Advice on Old stock Johnston & Murphy

[Sartorially Challenged]

Recently when I was clearing out my storage room, I found that I had two pairs of Johnston & Murphy Optima dress shoes from about 10 years ago (made in the U.S.).

I completely forgot that I had them (that's how little I cared about shoes or clothes back then

). They are almost new, hardly any wear, and have stitching on the bottom of the sole (welting?). But they also have plasticky leather (corrected grain?). They fit very well and have a classic look.

Now I seek advice from the forum members. Should I:

1. Throw them out or donate them?

2. Wear them on rainy days?

3. Antique them and wear them? (Is that even possible or worthwhile?)

4. Wear them unchanged (no one will notice "corrected grain")?

 

[DocHolliday]

If you like 'em, wear 'em. Personally, I'd use them as rain shoes. You've paid the money, so why not get some use out of them? I don't recommend people pay retail for J&M, but they're still better than many of the shoes out there these days.

If you think you'd feel uncomfortable wearing them, for whatever reason, throw them up on eBay, list them in the sales forum or give them away.

 

[Sartorially Challenged]

Thankfully, I didn't pay retail. Besides, aren't J&M's from 10 years ago, made in the U.S., supposedly much better in quality than those made today?

 

[designprofessor]

Look smashing on the dreary days!

 

[Sartorially Challenged]

Is there a way I can strip the plasticky exterior and "antique" them or improve the look of the leather somehow?

 

[Duveen]

Likely not a good idea - I think that the whole point of 'correcting' is to smooth over a poor quality of leather. Taking away the plasticky coat is likely to reveal the horror that lies beneath...

 

[AlanC]

They sound great for rainy/dangerous days. Post pictures.