Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Shoonoob]

I'm having a devil of a time finding the right waxed shoe laces for these black Ferragamos. For some reason, my search-fu is weak. All I can find is 3/32", which won't even fit through the lace holes. Here it's pictured next to the white Ferragamos with the correct laces. Good and evil? Hoofed devil beside the winged angel? Anyway, I'm looking for vermicelli, not sphaghetti. Any recommendations for good thin laces?

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Cordo-hyde

 

[thomas199023]

I own two pair of those. (Brown and black.)

They're actually made of kangaroo, hence the unusual grain.

They're fantastic shoes and hold a shine really well, I use colored VSC on them instead of polish.

Incredibly comfy, well-made, and not too common a find. If they're your size, I recommend you keep them.

Mm.. they’re like half a size to small for me. Might try to stretch them! Never heard of kangaroo leather haha, a very interesting finish indeed.

Thanks! Also, a very interesting find here in the Netherlands. Wonder how it made it over here. Don’t think Florsheim was ever really sold here.

 

[smfdoc]

After an initial gator band, I decided to take what I had learned and make another for my Apple watch. It was a good weekend project. But in the long run it would be cheaper to buy one. But not as fun.

 

[suitforcourt]

Not my shoes. Very cool NOS v-cleats in 9.5C:

Nunn Bush Nordtsrom Best Brown Leather Wingtip Oxford Dress Shoes Sz 9 1/2 w BOX | eBay

NUNN BUSH Nordstrom Best. Brown Shiny and Heavy Leather Lace Up Oxford Dress Shoes. BOOT HEIGHT/OPENING They do not allow for us to send combined invoices once the cases have opened. Excellent pre-owned condition, in original box.

rover.ebay.com

 

[davidVC]

Not sure if this was already posted, but below is a fun video of Soleman Buffalo fixing up a pair of Florsheim Imperial 93602.

 

[Raimar]

93602 11C



https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/70690237

 

[Hotel Cali]

Hi Guys, yay or nay if you would wear?

Are these considered Jodphurs? Georges?

 

[tcbinnc]

Thanks for the compliment! Yes, first timer. I'm excited to work with some better leather. This pair was serviceable but I view them as semi-corrected and the inconsistent color of the base leather boxed me in a bit in terms of where to go with the dye.

My next pair is some AE Rutledge from the independence line, which I am about 100% sure will offer a better starting point. Probably going navy with that pair since I dont have any blue shoes. Or maybe navy with a hint of green? We'll see.

Thanks again for the kind words.

Anytime. Look forward to seeing your next creation. Good luck!

 

[Thomas Crown]

I liked some of the Florsheim Duckie Brown pairs. Interesting designs. I never pulled the trigger and bought a pair though. So I can't attest to their quality. They seemed popular at the time.

I found a pair of Florsheim Duckie Brown LWBs in blue pebble grain at a thrift recently and sold them on eBay since they weren’t the right size for me. I read that they sourced their calf from Horween and I was impressed when comparing the construction and heft with my vintage Imperial Kenmoors-tight double stitching,double leather soles etc. A removable padded insole was the biggest noticeable difference maybe indicating a lack of a cork bed. They were cool,wish they had fit.

 

[stook1]

Awesome job! Stitching looks excellent and I like the specific grain selection you choose and how it was implemented in the band. Well done.

After an initial gator band, I decided to take what I had learned and make another for my Apple watch. It was a good weekend project. But in the long run it would be cheaper to buy one. But not as fun.

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[mreams99]

Hi Guys, yay or nay if you would wear?

Are these considered Jodphurs? Georges?


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Yay.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I found a pair of Florsheim Duckie Brown LWBs in blue pebble grain at a thrift recently and sold them on eBay since they weren’t the right size for me. I read that they sourced their calf from Horween and I was impressed when comparing the construction and heft with my vintage Imperial Kenmoors-tight double stitching,double leather soles etc. A removable padded insole was the biggest noticeable difference maybe indicating a lack of a cork bed. They were cool,wish they had fit. View attachment 1196879 View attachment 1196880

The removable footbed (and the lack of 5 nail construction) indicate they’re built off the standard MiIndia GYW Kenmoor. Though they did a nice job with uppers stitching and used better leather (like I’ve said before, the India factory can produce a quality shoe). That said, the other models, like the Saddle I looked at, was pretty sketchy.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Hi Guys, yay or nay if you would wear?

Are these considered Jodphurs? Georges?


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View attachment 1196864

Those pretty neat, I’d wear ‘em.

 

[wasmisterfu]

93602 11C

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https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/70690237

Someone needs to buy those and un-smoosh them.

 

[wasmisterfu]

After an initial gator band, I decided to take what I had learned and make another for my Apple watch. It was a good weekend project. But in the long run it would be cheaper to buy one. But not as fun.

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Wow, that’s pretty impressive leather-working skills.