Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[davidVC]

I’ve been wearing these 1940s winthrop spectators. I got these on eBay a few years ago for $15. They were listed as “funky 70s shoes.” View attachment 1325344

Those are amazing. And I am amazed with your ability to find pairs so old in your size.

I have one 1940s pair of FootJoys that are similar. I rarely wear them though. Can't imagine someone resoling them.

How do you care for the white/cream upper?

 

[davidVC]

For the record, it's run by @davidVC

Yes I maintain the Shell Cordovan list. I put up the page when the old site expired.

I add pairs I find on ebay. I also get occasional emails to add models to the list. I ask requestors to supply a photo(s) to verify. Sometimes I get ebay sellers trying to get their pair on the list when clearly the pair is not Shell Cordovan. Not all that is shiny and burgundy is gold.

 

[Nealjpage]

Littlest known fact: I want a pair of Corfam wingtips in my size for my collection. Why? So I can bore people to tears about the story of Corfam every time I wear them.

What size? There's a NOS pair at my local Goodwill.

@davidVC you still seeking a NOS pair?

 

[ccpl14]

Yes I maintain the Shell Cordovan list. I put up the page when the old site expired.

I add pairs I find on ebay. I also get occasional emails to add models to the list. I ask requestors to supply a photo(s) to verify. Sometimes I get ebay sellers trying to get their pair on the list when clearly the pair is not Shell Cordovan. Not all that is shiny and burgundy is gold.

Honestly curious why you maintain the list separately and don’t pull it into your main site?

 

[davidVC]

Honestly curious why you maintain the list separately and don’t pull it into your main site?

That's a good question. I think i kept them separate because vcleat.com is focused on North American vintage while the Shell list has a bit of everything. Like modern Viberg boots.

The list is getting long. 1271 models.

 

[davidVC]

What size? There's a NOS pair at my local Goodwill.

@davidVC you still seeking a NOS pair?

No. Thanks though. I still have my Crosby Square pair. I think I only wore them a couple times.

 

[happypebble]

Just for the record, I'd love a pair of Corfam shoes...they're so of their time. Unfortunately, American men of the Sixties were plagued by an epidemic of teeny tiny feet...all the Corfams on eBay are like 8.5

 

[stook1]

Just for the record, I'd love a pair of Corfam shoes...they're so of their time. Unfortunately, American men of the Sixties were plagued by an epidemic of teeny tiny feet...all the Corfams on eBay are like 8.5

I posted these the other day as a warning that they are corfam and not shell. You're a 10, right? I will admit that I'm reluctant to post these again considering I took a few minutes to inform that the seller that they were incorrectly listed. Obviously they are way overpriced.

Rare Vintage New Oxblood Phi Bates Wingtip Men Dress Shoes Size 10 C | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Rare Vintage New Oxblood Phi Bates Wingtip Men Dress Shoes Size 10 C at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[happypebble]

I posted these the other day as a warning that they are corfam and not shell. You're a 10, right? I will admit that I'm reluctant to post these again considering I took a few minutes to inform that the seller that they were incorrectly listed.

Rare Vintage New Oxblood Phi Bates Wingtip Men Dress Shoes Size 10 C | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Rare Vintage New Oxblood Phi Bates Wingtip Men Dress Shoes Size 10 C at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

No sir. I'm a 13D, which makes things tricky with vintage shoes. In my next life I'm coming back as a size 8.

 

[suitforcourt]

Did I buy a dog?

Absolutely not. B Mason is a tier 2 brand, but still well made. I have a pair and they remain one of the favourites in my collection. They fit TTS.

 

[mormonopoly]

Those are amazing. And I am amazed with your ability to find pairs so old in your size.

I have one 1940s pair of FootJoys that are similar. I rarely wear them though. Can't imagine someone resoling them.

How do you care for the white/cream upper?

Thank you! I really don’t do much in terms of maintenance on that part. I initially cleaned it up with a suede brush and gentle use of a suede eraser. I find that suede/nubuck doesn’t need moisturizing the way regular leather does, but I’ll sometimes apply some conditioner from the inside.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I have received my NOS Footjoy. They even came with some very nice vintage shoe trees for $75 all in.

They are very impressive quality and made me less guilty about the impulse buy.

I like the bevelled waist and the spade like sole shape.

View attachment 1325585
View attachment 1325584
View attachment 1325583
View attachment 1325586

I have a very similar in black. I was going to remove the kiltie (skirt) because I thought it was just laced on. But, it is seen to the tongue.

I was considering removing the kiltie and having them resoled. But, they are a little boring being just black.

Here they are with the kiltie tucked in.

I still want to try to turn a pair into regular dress shoes. But, I think it is only worth it if the end result is different and interesting.

Maybe a pair of the orangey cognac with green saddle? Like these — thanks to @davidVC for great pictures of vintage FJ on the website!

 

[Nealjpage]

No sir. I'm a 13D, which makes things tricky with vintage shoes. In my next life I'm coming back as a size 8.

Shoot. I think the pair I saw was 12 D. Close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

 

[Hotel Cali]

I have a very similar in black. I was going to remove the kiltie (skirt) because I thought it was just laced on. But, it is seen to the tongue.

I was considering removing the kiltie and having them resoled. But, they are a little boring being just black.

Here they are with the kiltie tucked in.


View attachment 1325811

I still want to try to turn a pair into regular dress shoes. But, I think it is only worth it if the end result is different and interesting.

Maybe a pair of the orangey cognac with green saddle? Like these — thanks to @davidVC for great pictures of vintage FJ on the website!

View attachment 1325812

David's article keeps me searching for Footjoy. FJ made so many interesting patterns.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Today’s selection is brought to you by the letter C as in chili. I wasn’t sure what color might work for these. They are one of my pairs of 93602. I had some AE dark chili cream polish, so I tried it. I did not think these would end up so dark. But, I think I like them!

The polish definitely brought out the mahogany tones.

I also took a toothbrush and cleaned up the welt stitching. This is a relatively new thing for me. When my father first showed me how he shined shoes, he had a little jar of edge dressing and he would always blacken the welt so the stitching didn’t show. I think that looks good on a black or very formal shoe. But, I like the lighter color on these.