Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[FatTuesday]

Deets on socks?
Also, I think I’ll take some of my burgundy shell and put it under a sun lamp 24/7 for a few years. That color is amazing.

Italian-made cotton dress socks branded as / sold by Allen Edmonds several years ago.

 

[Nealjpage]

Vintage Allen Edmonds Made in USA Black Leather Dress Shoes 9 C | eBay

Vintage Allen Edmonds Made in USA Black Leather Dress Shoes 9 C. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.

www.ebay.com

Keeping an eye on these,too pricey for their condition IMO. I’m perplexed however that I can’t find them in the vintage AE catalogs though I swear I’ve seen them in one before. They seem to be from the 60’s with the “Nailess Cushioned Heel” but no mention of “Ostendo”.They are the “Saddle”,pre Polo or Oakmont or Shelton etc. Anyone have info on these?

Are you going to make a move on these?

 

[FatTuesday]

Saddle soap seems to be a wedge issue. Russell Moccasin recommends it for their footwear, for what it's worth.

Custom Made for More than 100 Years

www.russellmoccasin.com

Speaking of Russell Moccasin - new snake boots arrived today. Not vintage, but nice boots by an American manufacturer.

 

[Nealjpage]

Speaking of Russell Moccasin - new snake boots arrived today. Not vintage, but nice boots by an American manufacturer.

View attachment 1504556View attachment 1504557

Nice boots. I've bought and sold a few pairs of Russell Moccasin "Oxfords" over the years but I've never worn a pair.

 

[sam67]

Was this a thing at one point? I’ve had several pairs of vintage #8 shell just absolutely smothered in thick black polish. It’s really a pain to remove.

Why would you spend all that money on shell and then do that???

And I'll have to keep at it until it's all off. Going to be a while.

 

[smfdoc]

Was this a thing at one point? I’ve had several pairs of vintage #8 shell just absolutely smothered in thick black polish. It’s really a pain to remove.

Why would you spend all that money on shell and then do that???

I imagine (speculate) that some previous owner felt a "dress shoe" needed to be black and acted accordingly.

 

[kilowatts]

Ha. Thank you. I don't measure up to those guys.

I have thought about writing an article in Hemingway's style. It would be an inside joke to myself.

I thought that’s what you did already!

 

[vestbash]

The NOS Nettleton received yesterday was good timing. It needed time to absorb some nourishment while I was still admiring the McHale bombers from Jim. After rounds of Bick4, Pure Polish and VSC, it starts to show less rigidity. For old shell, my approach is to slowly fit & stretch while applying generous oils/cream/condition/prayers along so that the moisturizer could penetrate stressed areas; hence, reinforcing them before they became irreversible damage. I prefer to underestimate the “end feel” when fit/stretch. It could take an evening or a few days, depending on the shoes’ condition.

This pair wasn’t as dry out as I initially thought. After a day, it seems to be good enough for some glamour shots.

I had high hope for Nettleton shell loafer. Unfortunately, this pair was made in the tail end of the company’s existence. It’s 270, not 360 bench. The SPI is low. The pair is on par with today’s AE quality, imo.

Here are some pics for your enjoyment

View attachment 1504326View attachment 1504327View attachment 1504328View attachment 1504329

Are these welted? Most of the nettleton shell loafers I've had are partial moc construction.

 

[Nealjpage]

And I'll have to keep at it until it's all off. Going to be a while.

Try Zippo lighter fluid (naptha). That was often the solvent in American paste waxes.

 

[kilowatts]

Hi guys:
Anyone know how Hanover Signature shell PTBs fit. Are they brave and fine? Like the bull. Or brave and whole? Like the fish? Could they be true like Florsheim? Or a noble half size too big? Like. Alden.
With apologies to Hemingway and David.
kilowatts

 

[ccpl14]

Try Zippo lighter fluid (naptha). That was often the solvent in American paste waxes.

And go lightly - I've found it's easy to go "too far". It's practically impossible to get 100% of it off, so just do what you can do safely and then accept the patina.

 

[Quantum17]

Are these welted? Most of the nettleton shell loafers I've had are partial moc construction.

That’s a great question. I thought the welt stitching was more medial than usual (pic attached). I thought moc construction is referred more towards upper? I don’t have much experience with loafers, and would definitely love to know more

 

[joman8390]

Hi guys:
Anyone know how Hanover Signature shell PTBs fit. Are they brave and fine? Like the bull. Or brave and whole? Like the fish? Could they be true like Florsheim? Or a noble half size too big? Like. Alden.
With apologies to Hemingway and David.
kilowatts

I find mine to fit true to size.

 

[suitforcourt]

I find mine to fit true to size.

Same. Similar fit to Florsheim of the time.

 

[Jiqea]

The camel Dacks arrived today, just in time for Wingtip Wednesday. A little drink of Bicks, welt cleaning and some edge dressing and they are good to go. They date between late 1983 and 1987 based on the sock liner.