Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nobleprofessor]

I had a great fun making my homemade GH Florsheims. It is clear that none of the other versions are going to fall into my lap, so I purchased another pair of 96302s for some dye work. I will be deciding between blue, green or attempting to make a weather moss. If they turn out well they may get some new soles and heels. That is to be determined.


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But maybe a more practical color would be the Chestnut of the 93639.

View attachment 1740096

the chestnut is good looking. But, if you don’t have weathered Moss or a homemade version of it, that would be my vote.

 

[CWOyaji]

9 1/2 E bros, these Aldens need a resole in the worst way and the shipping should be cheaper, but the price is right and if they were my size I think they'd be worth investing in. Auction ending tomorrow morning, not my listing.

 

[CWOyaji]

@eTrojan these have a new resole - auction ending in a couple of hours FYI.

 

[friendlygoz]

Early 1990s suede AE Chester.

 

[eTrojan]

@eTrojan these have a new resole - auction ending in a couple of hours FYI.
View attachment 1740152

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Nealjpage]

9 1/2 E bros, these Aldens need a resole in the worst way and the shipping should be cheaper, but the price is right and if they were my size I think they'd be worth investing in. Auction ending tomorrow morning, not my listing. View attachment 1740145

Damn. Why couldn't that be a 9?

 

[happypebble]

Welcome to the CORFAM family!! Perfect shoes for a rainy day.

Jealous as hell. I'd love to get a pair of Corfam™ shoes for myself. The Brady Bunch say yes to space age materials you can wear while driving to the mall to pick up the latest Creedence LP.

 

[happypebble]

Oh, before I forget: I was looking at a pair on eBay and the size was listed as 13R. What is "R"? Narrow? Wide?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Oh, before I forget: I was looking at a pair on eBay and the size was listed as 13R. What is "R"? Narrow? Wide?

In guessing. Maybe R for Regular? Meaning medium/D width?

 

[eTrojan]

@eTrojan these have a new resole - auction ending in a couple of hours FYI.
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Surprise, surprise, no one else was interested in a 13A. Auction ended with one bid - mine.

Thanks again for the heads up.

 

[CWOyaji]

You got it! Looks like a nice pair.

 

[M635Guy]

I guess I haven't worn these Alden in a while. Dug them out for Jim Pietryka, who i believe was also a member of this board.

He was, though I'm not sure how active he was here vs. the Alden and AE threads. He definitely had some excellent vintage examples in his collection.

A copy/pasta of what I posted in the AE thread:
I've got many fond memories of Jim, and I'm so glad I got a chance to know him. I "met" him here before he moved to my area, and got to hang out a fair bit after he did - he was a warm, generous and gentle soul. He only found out about the cancer in September, and was only 44.

I'm not sure if it's OK to post the GoFundMe link set up to help his wife with this very-sudden transition, but if you search on "Jim Pietryka" and "GoFundMe" you can find it if you'd like to help.

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It makes me wonder how many fine pairs of vintage shell shoes end up getting tossed because people mistake the bloom for mold.

I've had the same thought. As a guy who used to own a detailing-products business, it's kinda like single-stage paint - the looks of a disaster hide an amazing outcome.

And after. Only used a little burgundy cream polish to touch up the rough spots, then VSC and brushing under flowing water to get off the old caked-on polish. I think they’re almost ready to go.
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Fantastic pair - I'm super-jealous. I've always wanted to grab a pair

Not my listing.
NOS 93605 in 9.5D with a starting bid of $235. Terribad pictures, but seems like they might be okay.

NEW With BOX | Florsheim Imperial 93605 #4 Shell Cordovan Wingtip (Size 9.5D) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW With BOX | Florsheim Imperial 93605 #4 Shell Cordovan Wingtip (Size 9.5D) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I didn't see an outcome - did those seriously sell for $235?

Damn. Why couldn't that be a 9?

I've been very successful in going up a half size by using a thin Pedag Angora/Merino insert...

 

[Hotel Cali]

I had a great fun making my homemade GH Florsheims. It is clear that none of the other versions are going to fall into my lap, so I purchased another pair of 96302s for some dye work. I will be deciding between blue, green or attempting to make a weather moss. If they turn out well they may get some new soles and heels. That is to be determined.


View attachment 1740072

But maybe a more practical color would be the Chestnut of the 93639.

View attachment 1740096

I'm triggered. I vote for green or moss.

I think ProCobblers have an acquainted shoe dye associate. You can probably get them to both dye and resole if you prefer to skip the work.

 

[Hotel Cali]

Conversion by Pablo Hadarits of Dimar in Guelph Ontario.

These are vintage LWBs sold by Sibleys of Detroit. They were manufactured by Dexter.

These will join my indoor work from home collection. I find wedge soles to be incredibly comfortable and supportive.

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I'm thinking to do one like this. Was the Vibram sole glued on after midsole? What is your cost to do this type of resole?

 

[smfdoc]

I'm triggered. I vote for green or moss.

I think ProCobblers have an acquainted shoe dye associate. You can probably get them to both dye and resole if you prefer to skip the work.

Is ProCobblers the same as Wyatt and Dad?