Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[eTrojan]

have you seen this?

Vintage Footjoy Wingtips Mens Brogue Oxfords Dress Shoes US Size 12A | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Footjoy Wingtips Mens Brogue Oxfords Dress Shoes US Size 12A at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

@Nobleprofessor — if I recall, you can make an 11.5 B work, so a 12 A should be right up your alley.

 

[eTrojan]

Lloyd & Haig monkstrap boots today. A little more casual to work this week, since many are out on holiday. These are really comfortable. Not super high quality, but a fun boot.

 

[Oshare]

I finally received the Florsheim Stratfords I bought the other week.
Except for some tearing around the top eyelets of the right shoe, the leather is in great shape and they are in overall excellent condition. Even better -- they seem to be an okay fit, if perhaps a little snug. I think I'll try them out tomorrow for Wingtip Wednesday.

But first things first. I disinfected them with alcohol wipes before giving them a generous round of Bick 4 for good measure. Then I pulled out the old eyelets and installed new antique brass eyelets after being inspired by @friendlygoz 's work. I bought the kit and eyelets about half a year ago, but was a bit afraid to try it for the first time on a good pair of shoes. These Stratfords absolutely needed the work, so I decided to take a whack at it. Glad to report that it's very simple to do.

Lastly I gave them a light coat of black Saphir cream polish, black edge dressing, and new laces. I think they're now ready for their debut!

 

[Vincent George]

I finally received the Florsheim Stratfords I bought the other week.
Except for some tearing around the top eyelets of the right shoe, the leather is in great shape and they are in overall excellent condition. Even better -- they seem to be an okay fit, if perhaps a little snug. I think I'll try them out tomorrow for Wingtip Wednesday.

But first things first. I disinfected them with alcohol wipes before giving them a generous round of Bick 4 for good measure. Then I pulled out the old eyelets and installed new antique brass eyelets after being inspired by @friendlygoz 's work. I bought the kit and eyelets about half a year ago, but was a bit afraid to try it for the first time on a good pair of shoes. These Stratfords absolutely needed the work, so I decided to take a whack at it. Glad to report that it's very simple to do.

View attachment 1708460

Lastly I gave them a light coat of black Saphir cream polish, black edge dressing, and new laces. I think they're now ready for their debut!

View attachment 1708461

Nice! What kit did you buy? I think I might try some brass in my new/old Hanovers (already seeing stress on 2 eyelets).

 

[Oshare]

Nice! What kit did you buy? I think I might try some brass in my new/old Hanovers (already seeing stress on 2 eyelets).

I'm in Tokyo so I bought my kit from Amazon Japan.

Here's the 2-piece tool:

Amazon.co.jp: 誠和 SEIWA ハトメ打具 #200 SWA30378 : ホビー

Amazon.co.jp: 誠和 SEIWA ハトメ打具 #200 SWA30378 : ホビー

www.amazon.co.jp

And these are the eyelets:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B016XI0Y30/

 

[sam67]

@Nobleprofessor — if I recall, you can make an 11.5 B work, so a 12 A should be right up your alley.

I'd be too afraid of damaging/stretching these.

 

[friendlygoz]

I finally received the Florsheim Stratfords I bought the other week.
Except for some tearing around the top eyelets of the right shoe, the leather is in great shape and they are in overall excellent condition. Even better -- they seem to be an okay fit, if perhaps a little snug. I think I'll try them out tomorrow for Wingtip Wednesday.

But first things first. I disinfected them with alcohol wipes before giving them a generous round of Bick 4 for good measure. Then I pulled out the old eyelets and installed new antique brass eyelets after being inspired by @friendlygoz 's work. I bought the kit and eyelets about half a year ago, but was a bit afraid to try it for the first time on a good pair of shoes. These Stratfords absolutely needed the work, so I decided to take a whack at it. Glad to report that it's very simple to do.

View attachment 1708460

Lastly I gave them a light coat of black Saphir cream polish, black edge dressing, and new laces. I think they're now ready for their debut!

View attachment 1708461

Nice work! Glad you gave DIY eyelet installation a try. They look fantastic.

 

[suitforcourt]

Hanover LB Sheppards on a very cold day. These got new welts, GR soles, sole protectors, and cat paw heels.

 

[klawso9]

Florsheim PTB's in black shell today. From the 90's, I believe.

 

[Vincent George]

Nice work! Glad you gave DIY eyelet installation a try. They look fantastic.

@friendlygoz and @Oshare

Would you trust using eyelet/grommet pliers on a similar job? I might visit the craft store today...

 

[BlueMoonMonday]

Hello everyone. I've been reading these posts and got inspired and found a pair of Florsheim 93602's that were NOS from 1971. While I spent a bit more than I'd planned they are beautiful shoes and built like a tank. The leather is really nice and soft I did learn from reading here that I gotta take care of the leather, especially older leather. So far I've given them a couple coats of Bick 4. What I'd like to know is if you found a pair of really nice NOS shoes what would be your regimen to get them in tip top shape and keep them there?

 

[Vincent George]

Hello everyone. I've been reading these posts and got inspired and found a pair of Florsheim 93602's that were NOS from 1971. While I spent a bit more than I'd planned they are beautiful shoes and built like a tank. The leather is really nice and soft I did learn from reading here that I gotta take care of the leather, especially older leather. So far I've given them a couple coats of Bick 4. What I'd like to know is if you found a pair of really nice NOS shoes what would be your regimen to get them in tip top shape and keep them there?

I mean, the first step would be to share a photo for us to LUST after

Great pickup!

 

[BlueMoonMonday]

I mean, the first step would be to share a photo for us to LUST after

Great pickup!

Well... since you asked....The first 3 pics are from the e-bay ad. The last is after I cleaned the welt stiching which was black. Same shoes, different lighting.

How are there shoes that are over 50 years old and have never been worn???

 

[Vincent George]

Well... since you asked....The first 3 pics are from the e-bay ad. The last is after I cleaned the welt stiching which was black. Man what a difference lighting makes.
View attachment 1708722 View attachment 1708724

View attachment 1708739

Looking good.

I’ve bought from this seller. Always seems like accurate representations.

 

[eTrojan]

Dr. Scholl’s COPEG cap toe derbies. This is one of my best-constructed pairs. SPI is unreal. I have new flat laces from Kirby Allison I plan to put on; the 7-eyelets are too much for standard 30” laces.