Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Jiqea]

I made a low ball offer for the Yorktown Oxfords made by the Gardiner Shoe Co, of Gardiner, Maine, that were posted on eBay two weeks ago. I need to do a bit more research, but I presume they date to the 50's. Gardiner was a mid-price point maker, but the Yorktowns were near the top of their offerings. The contrasting double welt stitching really makes this pair stand-out. The width was not noted in the eBay listing, so I was pretty pleased that they turned out to be 10.5E, which is my preferred size for Oxfords. They arrived as dry as a popcorn fart, but they really came to life after a few rounds of Bicks. My plan is to throw them into the regular rotation. It will be interesting to see if I can muster up the courage to debauch those virgin soles.

 

[stook1]

I made a low ball offer for the Yorktown Oxfords made by the Gardiner Shoe Co, of Gardiner, Maine, that were posted on eBay two weeks ago. I need to do a bit more research, but I presume they date to the 50's. Gardiner was a mid-price point maker, but the Yorktowns were near the top of their offerings. The contrasting double welt stitching really makes this pair stand-out. The width was not noted in the eBay listing, so I was pretty pleased that they turned out to be 10.5E, which is my preferred size for Oxfords. They arrived as dry as a popcorn fart, but they really came to life after a few rounds of Bicks. My plan is to throw them into the regular rotation. It will be interesting to see if I can muster up the courage to debauch those virgin soles.

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I'm so glad you got those! I was talking to @Nobleprofessor about that pair. I'd made an even lower lowball, I suspect... and it seems that you purchased them while I was mulling over the seller's counter. I wasn't sure I'd wear them much so if you are going to wear them regularly - all the better.

Congrats, they are a very unique pair with the double stitching and they look spectacular now that you have cleaned them up.

 

[Quantum17]

I made a low ball offer for the Yorktown Oxfords made by the Gardiner Shoe Co, of Gardiner, Maine, that were posted on eBay two weeks ago. I need to do a bit more research, but I presume they date to the 50's. Gardiner was a mid-price point maker, but the Yorktowns were near the top of their offerings. The contrasting double welt stitching really makes this pair stand-out. The width was not noted in the eBay listing, so I was pretty pleased that they turned out to be 10.5E, which is my preferred size for Oxfords. They arrived as dry as a popcorn fart, but they really came to life after a few rounds of Bicks. My plan is to throw them into the regular rotation. It will be interesting to see if I can muster up the courage to debauch those virgin soles.

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They are too awesome to wear... NOOOooo

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I made a low ball offer for the Yorktown Oxfords made by the Gardiner Shoe Co, of Gardiner, Maine, that were posted on eBay two weeks ago. I need to do a bit more research, but I presume they date to the 50's. Gardiner was a mid-price point maker, but the Yorktowns were near the top of their offerings. The contrasting double welt stitching really makes this pair stand-out. The width was not noted in the eBay listing, so I was pretty pleased that they turned out to be 10.5E, which is my preferred size for Oxfords. They arrived as dry as a popcorn fart, but they really came to life after a few rounds of Bicks. My plan is to throw them into the regular rotation. It will be interesting to see if I can muster up the courage to debauch those virgin soles.

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I'm so glad you got those! I was talking to @Nobleprofessor about that pair. I'd made an even lower lowball, I suspect... and it seems that you purchased them while I was mulling over the seller's counter. I wasn't sure I'd wear them much so if you are going to wear them regularly - all the better.

Congrats, they are a very unique pair with the double stitching and they look spectacular now that you have cleaned them up.

They are too awesome to wear... NOOOooo

Those shoes were very intriguing. The double stitch is very cool. It makes me wonder whether I should get that done on the next pair I have repaired/restored.

I’m very glad to hear they are 10.5E. They would be way too wide for me. So, I feel better about not trying to get them. AND, I’m happy for @Jiqea that they will work for you and that they are in the hands of someone who will love and appreciate them. I was also worried about how dry they might be. Good move on the Bick 4.

As far as the anxiety-inducing decision to wear them, I cannot offer any advice that would not be totally hypocritical. I have several old pairs that I cannot make myself wear. Those virgin soles are, obviously, new only until they get worn.

My wife teases me and tells me that if I never wear my NOS pairs, then whoever buys them at my estate sale (when I die), will have the fun of wearing them. She has a dark sense of humor.

She also doesn’t understand exactly because when I bought her a pair of new Gucci shoes (she has begged for them for years), she wore the very next day!

So, in that spirit I wore my just restored pair of Bison LWB. (I only wore them in my carpeted home office).

 

[friendlygoz]

Maiden voyage of my Florsheim Stratfords recrafted by Tobias Crislip of Wyatt & Dad Cobbler Company. Tobias did an amazing job of sewing down some parts on the vamp, fixing the heel counter and, of course, the resole. He is meticulous in his craft. I did the eyelets myself. They were pretty worn out. I’ve been worried that they were too narrow, even after stretching. But I’ve been wearing them around the house today. I sprayed some shoe stretcher spray on them before wearing them with a thin pair of socks. They actually feel quite good.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Those are incredible @friendlygoz I really need a pair of Stratfords! That color is great!

I just asked Tony at Wyatt and Dad and they do double rows of welt stitching if you want to match that awesome pair @Jiqea just got.

 

[smfdoc]

They are too awesome to wear... NOOOooo

Good point, Counter point. Shoes are made to be worn and life is short.

 

[smfdoc]

Those are incredible @friendlygoz I really need a pair of Stratfords! That color is great!

I just asked Tony at Wyatt and Dad and they do double rows of welt stitching if you want to match that awesome pair @Jiqea just got.

I’m in deep enough as it is. A single row will do fine. I think they will look great. On a side note, Tony was very complimentary on the dye job to get the Golden Harvest color. I took that as an official endorsement that they are wearable In public.

 

[Jiqea]

Good point, Counter point. Shoes are made to be worn and life is short.

If it is not raining, I will wear them tomorrow to get my first Covid vaccine shot.

 

[Quantum17]

Those are incredible @friendlygoz I really need a pair of Stratfords! That color is great!

I just asked Tony at Wyatt and Dad and they do double rows of welt stitching if you want to match that awesome pair @Jiqea just got.

I absolutely admire Tony and Tobias’ work. Though, I’m also lucky having Jim McFarland near by. He does wonderful work, and it’s always a pleasant talking to him.

I don’t resole often as I try to keep original welts and heels. Of course, regular resole doesn’t require new welt, but I’m sure double stitching will require so. If that’s the case, the upper leather will be affected regardless how skillful the cobbler is. In my opinion, I’d not encourage rewelt, or update to double stitching for that reason.

 

[Quantum17]

If it is not raining, I will wear them tomorrow to get my first Covid vaccine shot.

Good point, Counter point. Shoes are made to be worn and life is short.

I cannot argue with that ? Perfect occasion and absolutely valid point

 

[stook1]

Thus far, I have only had two pairs of NOS that I was a bit squeamish about wearing. My 93605s were NOS and, incidentally, my first wear was very melodramatic - literally out onto my driveway for a quick picture. I was in the midst of recovering from arm surgery and wasn't really leaving the house. It actually wasn't until afterwards that I had a momentary "what have I done!" freak out but it was all good and I am totally over it and enjoying them.

My other pair I just got recently. They are a single MTO pair of C&J that another member had put away and I am not aware of another pair that exists --- but I bet there must be at least another running around. I haven't worn those yet but I will probably this week.

I'm with @smfdoc on this one. Life's too short to let nos or unworn shoes sit. But to each their own. I'm thankful to all of you gentlemen that keep 'em fresh for the rest of us!

 

[friendlygoz]

I made a low ball offer for the Yorktown Oxfords made by the Gardiner Shoe Co, of Gardiner, Maine, that were posted on eBay two weeks ago. I need to do a bit more research, but I presume they date to the 50's. Gardiner was a mid-price point maker, but the Yorktowns were near the top of their offerings. The contrasting double welt stitching really makes this pair stand-out. The width was not noted in the eBay listing, so I was pretty pleased that they turned out to be 10.5E, which is my preferred size for Oxfords. They arrived as dry as a popcorn fart, but they really came to life after a few rounds of Bicks. My plan is to throw them into the regular rotation. It will be interesting to see if I can muster up the courage to debauch those virgin soles.

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Those are incredible. I say wear, enjoy, and share their beauty with the world (if people don't notice your shoes, make them notice by striking up a conversation that starts with, "Hey, you see these shoes right here?"). Life is too short.

 

[Quantum17]

Those are incredible. I say wear, enjoy, and share their beauty with the world (if people don't notice your shoes, make them notice by striking up a conversation that starts with, "Hey, you see these shoes right here?"). Life is too short.

I happen to be a respected member of this ministry. Also, I’ve been known to do random high kicks through zoom... I’m very well-known among my colleagues despite distance learning from Covid...

 

[sam67]

Found a couple thrifting today for the flip pile. A Foot so Port and a Freeman’s Bootmaker Guild- which needs some attention. Both small sizes.