Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[samtalkstyle]

I've lurked this thread for a little bit and gleaned so much useful info, you guys are a goldmine. Finally have a contribution of my own:

Picked up these old Florsheim Imperial tassels for a tenner last week. Australian made, no idea on date.

Will have to get some better pics soon.

 

[suitforcourt]

Maiden voyage of my 93605s rebuilt by Gary Coakley. JR soles, and cat paw heels make these tanks.

 

[friendlygoz]

Both looks great. How much was the Bedo's rehab?

$140. It's a lot. But he remade the straps from scratch and added elastic. That had to be a good amount of work.

 

[friendlygoz]

The pair you sent to Bedos looks great. They both do.

I let a pair of the ‘80s edition jodhpurs get away, and still regret it a little. They were too wide, but close enough to solve with thick socks or an insole. I was on the fence about when I would wear them. Still not sure about that. I spend very little time in jeans, and most of my slacks are cut too slim to accommodate boots.

I wear slim-fitting pants. I've tried them with a few of my pants and I think they will work. I've thought about having some elastic put in the wings of the high part of the boot so that the hug my ankle a bit more. It might not be worth it though.

 

[mreams99]

I wear slim-fitting pants. I've tried them with a few of my pants and I think they will work. I've thought about having some elastic put in the wings of the high part of the boot so that the hug my ankle a bit more. It might not be worth it though.

Mine have a snap that was installed at the top (on the outside edge, I think) to keep them somewhat more under control.
I’m not sure that was necessary, but supposedly the original owner did this as soon as he bought them.

 

[suitforcourt]

I've lurked this thread for a little bit and gleaned so much useful info, you guys are a goldmine. Finally have a contribution of my own:

Picked up these old Florsheim Imperial tassels for a tenner last week. Australian made, no idea on date.

Will have to get some better pics soon.

How is the quality of the Aussie made pairs relative to the US made ones of the same period?

 

[friendlygoz]

Mine have a snap that was installed at the top (on the outside edge, I think) to keep them somewhat more under control.
I’m not sure that was necessary, but supposedly the original owner did this as soon as he bought them.

Huh... I like that idea. Do yours flair out without the snaps? Pix? Thanks.

 

[Hotel Cali]

A couple of black shortwings yesterday and today.

1950s unknown shell cordovan.

1990s Florsheim 7 eyelets.

 

[stook1]

They look good to me. Lots of Bick 4, then rub the grit off the rolls with a very fine cloth sanding pad from the auto parts store, with lots of Bick 4 on it. Then, long trees to stretch out the rolls and repeat.
View attachment 1253435

Picked up a 3k grit pad today. Curious about a few details. Do you rinse the dirt/contaminants from the pad periodically?

Do you go over the entire shoe? Or just the obviously rough parts? Seems like this grit is so fine that you could jewel the entire finish without risk.

Your recommendation sand - stretch - sand...why not do it in one shot?

Thanks a lot for your guidance!

 

[CWOyaji]

Picked up a 3k grit pad today. Curious about a few details. Do you rinse the dirt/contaminants from the pad periodically?

Do you go over the entire shoe? Or just the obviously rough parts? Seems like this grit is so fine that you could jewel the entire finish without risk.

Your recommendation sand - stretch - sand...why not do it in one shot?

Thanks a lot for your guidance!

I have a range of sandpapers and these pads are the finest grain abrasives I use. Moistening the shoes does come first, then stretching and gently abrading the dried-on things that have adhered to the shoes over time, especially down in the creases. The flat parts are easier to get at, so I don’t feel the need to wait till the creases have gotten back to flush to deal with them. And the pads can be cleaned with hand soap and dried out for re-use. Hope that helps.

 

[stook1]

I have a range of sandpapers and these pads are the finest grain abrasives I use. Moistening the shoes does come first, then stretching and gently abrading the dried-on things that have adhered to the shoes over time, especially down in the creases. The flat parts are easier to get at, so I don’t feel the need to wait till the creases have gotten back to flush to deal with them. And the pads can be cleaned with hand soap and dried out for re-use. Hope that helps.

Ok got it! Thank you! Do you use other grits for this application? I already have 2k grit as well although just regular paper.

 

[CWOyaji]

Ok got it! Thank you! Do you use other grits for this application? I already have 2k grit as well although just regular paper.

Sure do. Down to 400 grit paper, but try to use the least coarse grades first and light pressure only, with Bick 4.

 

[instigateur]

My son had an interview and he let me supply the footwear. I lent him my vintage Barrie longwings. Looked pretty sharp.

 

[stook1]

Sure do. Down to 400 grit paper, but try to use the least coarse grades first and light pressure only, with Bick 4.

Gotcha, thanks for the input. I'll try the 3k tonight and see how it goes. Once again, appreciate the insights.

 

[CWOyaji]

Picked up my Graysons and Nettleton gators from the shop today. $30 still goes a long way buying shoes on eBay.

Plus some JR soles from the Shoepocalypse reserve I laid down for situations like this. And $100 for my cobbler.

Spoiler: Receipts