Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

Is this because you hang out with criminals on a frequent basis?

I've always had it. Ever since childhood. But for sure intensified by my professional associations.

 

[kilowatts]

Not necessarily that bulky. It's a while ago but I had my service boots built unstructured and, as far as service boots go, they were pretty sleek. Very similar to Viberg 2030. I sold them years ago due to mis-sizing. They also used to have some special-ish leather options. Nothing at all like some other makers but the leather on my pair was very nice.

From what I heard they started outsourcing their boots maybe about two years ago. And at this point, that company is about to go through some things so all the above is completely academic and irrelevant, lol.

Hi guys:
I bought a pair of Dayton hard toe toughies from VV some years ago. They were built like brick outhouses with one of the heavy duty Vibram soles. Very high quality. Ultimately they were just too big and heavy for me although I wore them to a winter building site for a season. I sold them for more than I paid.
I went to their store/workshop some years ago to be measured for a pair of service boots but I choked on the price at the last moment. I guess I was chicken. Very nice boots though.
Kilowatts

 

[Nealjpage]

I picked up these nubuck AEs today. Strangely there's no model name written on the insole. Looks like the 1980s Orleans but the model number is incorrect. What have I got here?

 

[sam67]

Suede experts needed here! I'm still pondering how to deal with this shoe. Leave it alone and accept that spot on toe or keep going? I got a lot of that shoe-white stuff off it- cleaned twice with omni'nettoyant. I've brushed and sprayed with renovateur. Found the spot on left shoe after cleaning. I don't have an eraser which is on the way and I ordered some ivory dye from Tarrago.
The catalog lists these as white on black but I dont think white is coming back. But I like the ivory color actually. What would you do or not do? I dont want to totally screw this shoe up. Thanks for your input.

 

[mormonopoly]

Suede experts needed here! I'm still pondering how to deal with this shoe. Leave it alone and accept that spot on toe or keep going? I got a lot of that shoe-white stuff off it- cleaned twice with omni'nettoyant. I've brushed and sprayed with renovateur. Found the spot on left shoe after cleaning. I don't have an eraser which is on the way and I ordered some ivory dye from Tarrago.
The catalog lists these as white on black but I dont think white is coming back. But I like the ivory color actually. What would you do or not do? I dont want to totally screw this shoe up. Thanks for your input.View attachment 1564229View attachment 1564230View attachment 1564231

I tend to follow the rule of above all else, do no harm with shoes this old. If something goes bad, you’re not likely to get another pair. I would hit them gently with the suede eraser and then use a buck bag to restore some whiteness. I wouldn’t dye them.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

At what age do shoes b/c vintage? These walnut-shell short wings are over 10-years old.
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Im not sure of the answer to your question. But, I wanted to make sure I replied to your post to tell you that those are spectacular great looking shoes! Gorgeous color! Are they Alden? Where did you get them?

 

[FatTuesday]

Im not sure of the answer to your question. But, I wanted to make sure I replied to your post to tell you that those are spectacular great looking shoes! Gorgeous color! Are they Alden? Where did you get them?

AE Walnut Shell (McAllister) from a web gem promotion in 2011.

For all the criticism leveled at AE, they sure can produce some beauties.

 

[MJMcRibb]

Picked up this pair of 78008s for $50. Box, bags, literature and Florsheim tissue paper included.

 

[stook1]

Tough to follow the last post... But sporting the Dack's from yesterday.

 

[Quantum17]

SH: the culprit is still at large. Scotland Yard is on the lookout for a male shoe size 8.5E UK (9.5D US) with one bicep larger than the other... much larger, I might add.

JW: how can you tell, Sherlock?

SH: elementary, my dear Watson. He’s a shell cordovan enthusiast, and has been brushing like a maniac.

Recycling one of my old jokes, but the shoes are (almost) new. Presenting 80s Bostonian with a patina so awesome, it turned to a wonderful reddish color. In fact, it’s so cool that David vcleat has mentioned in one of his articles which I absolutely agree. A rare “younger” vintage that makes its way to my favorite list.

 

[ZePrez]

Picked up this pair of 78008s for $50. Box, bags, literature and Florsheim tissue paper included.
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You realize that we, all, hate you !! ...
Darn ! What a find!
Congratulations!!

 

[happypebble]

Florsheim question: anyone familiar with the Riva shoe? I'm wondering what the heel/sole is made of on these. Some sort of plastic? The heel and sole are one unit.

 

[Oshare]

These Cordwainer Wright LWBs caught my eye. They seem to have a very deep burnt orange color and some interesting patina going on, but I'm wondering how much of that is dark polish that has been caked on.

They've got replacement top lifts, the soles are suspect, and the footbed looks like it could have some heavy wrinkling and possibly deep foot impressions... so possibly in need of a full recraft which means $$$.

But that color!

Thoughts anyone? I know Cordwainer Wright was ET Wright's top tier brand, but overall how is the quality compared to vintage Florsheims?

 

[stook1]

These Cordwainer Wright LWBs caught my eye. They seem to have a very deep burnt orange color and some interesting patina going on, but I'm wondering how much of that is dark polish that has been caked on.

They've got replacement top lifts, the soles are suspect, and the footbed looks like it could have some heavy wrinkling and possibly deep foot impressions... so possibly in need of a full recraft which means $$$.

But that color!

Thoughts anyone? I know Cordwainer Wright was ET Wright's top tier brand, but overall how is the quality compared to vintage Florsheims?

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I like Cordwainer Wrights but I've only handled one pair... Those outsoles are original and seem ok to me except for what looks like a tiny puncture on one of them. The insoles look concerning and seem like a lot of wear given how the outsoles look. Personally, I'd pass on this pair but I try to avoid shoes that might need an immediate investment. Nice shoes though.

 

[barutanseijin]

I picked up these nubuck AEs today. Strangely there's no model name written on the insole. Looks like the 1980s Orleans but the model number is incorrect. What have I got here?

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“Hand crafted world of AE” indicates 1980s. The Colonial golf shoe from that era sorta looks close and had a model number a little closer: 0207. However, that’s still not the same and these aren’t golf shoes.

Everything but the model number says Orleans. Maybe they’re a prototype or something.