Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[friendlygoz]

I just lost an auction for a pair of black Florsheim Stratfords. They started out pretty low, but two of us got into a bidding war, and they just went up higher than I was willing to go. They were pretty beat up, had cracks, and had already been resoled. The size was worn off and the seller only gave a "size 9 or 10". I figured they would be project shoes, so despite their rarity I threw in my cards when they hit $100.

To make myself feel better, today I put on my Florsheim by John McHale LWBs. These were my first LWBs that @kilowatts helped me to pick up and ship from Canada to Japan. Still one of my favorites!

View attachment 1597066

Those are a fantastic pair. I got some beat up Stratfords for a very good price. The cost to get them up and running was substantial. And they fit much narrower than the Kenmoor. I could orobably use a 9EE if they made one. I’m not necessarily trying to make you feel better, but I hope I did.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I decided to go ahead and clean up my 92649 that I was asking about yesterday.

These are pretty special to me. I found them at an estate sale in a box of old shoes. Most of them were vintage but most of them were worn out or crappy pairs.

These had mud on them and I initially dismissed them. But, then I saw another vintage Florsheim and got them both out and looked them over. I had never seen Florsheim Black Shell back then (and I have never seen another pair of 92649 in person since). They had very little wear; they were just dirty.

I thought they were Shell but wasn’t sure (this was several years ago before I had honed my Shell-spying abilities). So, I got them.

If you want to hear about a bone-head move — there was another odd looking pair that was sort of a Venetian loafer style. They were filthy. I left them. When I got back to my office, I was reading about them and realized what they were. Yep. I left a Yuma. I went back later and they were gone.

anyway, here are the 92649.

 

[happypebble]

if you don't already have an account with them sign up and you get 15% off your first order. If you do have an account make another one with a different e-mail address.

Ah, thank you very much. I do have an AE account but have never yet bought anything on it.

 

[sam67]

I got lucky on these AE Leeds and I think they were literally worn once. No heel wear at all. They look better in the natural light too. Sale photo vs current. Very pleased.

 

[smfdoc]

I got lucky on these AE Leeds and I think they were literally worn once. No heel wear at all. They look better in the natural light too. Sale photo vs current. Very pleased.
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Very nice scotch grain Leeds. Great find.

 

[friendlygoz]

Based on the model number, there’s a golden harvest color under there somewhere.

Vintage Florsheim Imperial WingTip Shoes Brown Leather V Cleat 5 Nails Men Sz 9E | eBay

<p>Florsheim Imperial Kenmoor WingTip Oxfords Brown Leather V-Cleat Men’s Size 9 E. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Shoes are in good condition, Missing shoelaces, shoes needs polish please see photos for more details.</p><p>Shoe trees not included.</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[GoldenHarvestMedal]

A few pairs I saw today. An AE and Red Wings didn't get pictures though.

Shell, right?

1st time seen Dacks Bespoke.
Tried but too narrow.

13D Dexter made in USA
Really shocked when I saw these big shoes...

 

[CWOyaji]

^Florsheim are not shell. The texture is off and the interior is way too rough too. And hey, 13 D isn't that humongous of a size, is it? Glad I'm not self-conscious.

 

[GoldenHarvestMedal]

^Florsheim are not shell. And hey, 13 D isn't that humungous of a size, is it? Glad I'm not self-conscious.

Haha. When I saw the 13D, I suddenly thought about you in fact.

 

[CWOyaji]

If you see Alden or shell in good shape in 13 D I'm always down to trade. What size do you wear?

 

[stook1]

Based on the model number, there’s a golden harvest color under there somewhere.

Vintage Florsheim Imperial WingTip Shoes Brown Leather V Cleat 5 Nails Men Sz 9E | eBay

<p>Florsheim Imperial Kenmoor WingTip Oxfords Brown Leather V-Cleat Men’s Size 9 E. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Shoes are in good condition, Missing shoelaces, shoes needs polish please see photos for more details.</p><p>Shoe trees not included.</p>

www.ebay.com

I'd been discussing that pair and another with the seller. He's not negotiable and, in my view, has them unrealistically priced given the circumstances.

 

[Raimar]

AE Shell

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/120253490

Also some AE Polo Shark

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/120255862

 

[Nealjpage]

I've been plodding away at my recently acquired Golden Harvest Imperials. They've been cleaned well and conditioned with Bick 4 so now it's time for a color polish. Any recommendations on brands and colors?

 

[JFWR]

I was going to wear these tonight, and did so briefly, only for my night to take a ****** turn, so I switched out later.

Florsheim vintage lwb in shell cordovan.

 

[GoldenHarvestMedal]

If you see Alden or shell in good shape in 13 D I'm always down to trade. What size do you wear?

Sure, I will.

I generally wear 8.5D and 9D fits me too. That's why I was like.... When seeing 13D in front of me.