Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[sam67]

Dacks made by Cheaney right before bankruptcy. The infamous and controversial bicycle toe makes an appearance on the Friday heading into a long weekend. These are Seneca in walnut calf. The current Matthew Dacks revived this model but not this colour so these are true vintage.

Wishing you all a great end of work week.

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Bicycle toe fan here. Best to you as well!

 

[memoriastoica]

Maiden voyage for my near new 92604s, likely from 1971. I recently discovered I am a C width instead of D and let me tell you, what a revelation!

 

[isshinryu101]

Just wondering… what’s with presenting your specific model code for the Florsheim longwings? I think the v-clear searcher is a cool idea, but… it’s basically the same shoe for 30+ years. The earliest models were definitely nicer (better leather, more exacting manufacture), but you’ve got to really hold them in your hands to see the difference. I’ve also seen what looks to be people that own the same identical shoe, but from different model years. Can someone explain that to me? Thanks.

 

[smfdoc]

Just wondering… what’s with presenting your specific model code for the Florsheim longwings? I think the v-clear searcher is a cool idea, but… it’s basically the same shoe for 30+ years. The earliest models were definitely nicer (better leather, more exacting manufacture), but you’ve got to really hold them in your hands to see the difference. I’ve also seen what looks to be people that own the same identical shoe, but from different model years. Can someone explain that to me? Thanks.

Oh, I think there are many different reasons. Some people, such as myself, will find an initial pair that was used and then later tumble across a great deal on a NOS or nearly NOS pair. Trigger pulled and then we have several pairs of nearly identical shoes. Other people, not me, are "completionists." They will start a collection and are driven to have every version of it. This is why some guys have every version of Luke Skywalker ever produced. There are also people, like me, who will collect extra copies of the same Florsheim shoe to use as the basis for alterations or customizations. For example, these are stock Florsheim black 92604.

I bought a second pair and had them changed to a different edge and welt stitch color.

For me, the brown is the most versatile. These are my standard 93602s.

This is also the same brown Florsheim that has been stripped and then dyed to match the Chestnut color of the 93639 model that they did not make in my size.

This is also a pair of the same brown Florsheims that I stripped and dyed to match the Golden Harvest color of the 93631. Again, not made in my size. After the dye job I sent them out for the new welt stitch color and the new sole.

Finally, some guys buy shoes with the Poke-man motto of "Got to catch them all."

 

[CWOyaji]

A last look at these J&M shell tassels, before they sail off to a new home.

 

[friendlygoz]

Oh, I think there are many different reasons. Some people, such as myself, will find an initial pair that was used and then later tumble across a great deal on a NOS or nearly NOS pair. Trigger pulled and then we have several pairs of nearly identical shoes. Other people, not me, are "completionists." They will start a collection and are driven to have every version of it. This is why some guys have every version of Luke Skywalker ever produced. There are also people, like me, who will collect extra copies of the same Florsheim shoe to use as the basis for alterations or customizations. For example, these are stock Florsheim black 92604.

View attachment 1794147

I bought a second pair and had them changed to a different edge color and welt stitch.

View attachment 1794148

For me, the brown is the most versatile. These are my standard 93602s.

View attachment 1794149

This is also the same brown Florsheim that has been stripped and then dyed to match the Chestnut color of the 93639 model that they did not make in my size.

View attachment 1794151

This is also a pair of the same brown Florsheims that I stripped and dyed to match the Golden Harvest color of the 93631. Again, not made in my size. After the dye job I sent them out for the new welt stitch color and the new sole.

View attachment 1794155

Finally, some guys buy shows with the Poke-man motto of "Got to catch them all."

Good typology of shoe collectors.

 

[friendlygoz]

Early 1990s Florsheim Royal Imperial PTBs.

 

[sam67]

Gents, have you noticed on the recent poll for summer shoes that spectators are not on the list of choices? This is an outrage! Please join me in contacting admin to make this addition. Enjoy the day!

 

[isshinryu101]

Good typology of shoe collectors.

Well, not really “shoe collectors”, who generally collect different models, styles and makers. I guess this is what “vintage shoes” has become. No more (or Very few) unique and true vintage (pre 1960) pairs left there, so it seems “vintage shoes” is becoming “Florsheim longwing”, as that particular model seems to be the focus here. I do love that shoe model, but I like variety as well.

 

[smfdoc]

Well, not really “shoe collectors”, who generally collect different models, styles and makers. I guess this is what “vintage shoes” has become. No more (or Very few) unique and true vintage (pre 1960) pairs left there, so it seems “vintage shoes” is becoming “Florsheim longwing”, as that particular model seems to be the focus here. I do love that shoe model, but I like variety as well.

I wish I could broaden my collection beyond the Florsheim long wing. I have a few, but the availability of EEE makes it very slim pickings.

 

[smfdoc]

Have you ever wished you could set up your own little cobblers stool and pound on shoes? Well, then YOU are in luck. The set includes the stand that can be affixed to the floor and four different sized shoe inserts to hold them in place while you bang on a new heel. Not my listing, link. All yours for under $40, including shipping.

 

[Quantum17]

It’s shoe o'clock on a Saturday
The forum crowd shuffles in
There's an old shoe sittin' next to me
Makin' love to his Saphir and wax

He says, "Son can you play me a memory?
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's phat and it's sweet and I knew it complete
When I were a younger man's shoes"

La, la-la, di-di-da
La-la di-di-da da-dum
Sing us a song, you're the old shoes man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' alright

Presenting 50s Uwing two tone Thom McAn. They traveled North then traveled South. Thank you @Jiqea

 

[isshinryu101]

I wish I could broaden my collection beyond the Florsheim long wing. I have a few, but the availability of EEE makes it very slim pickings.

What’s your shoe size? A lot of the older ones are very hard to find, but there are some really cool ones out there.

 

[ojaw]

It’s not Wednesday, sorry not sorry.
First time in the wild with these, feels pretty good.
My feet are broad at the forefoot, narrow at the heel and have a low instep.
This is why I think all that creasing and rippling is showing up - how weird does that seem to the gathered flock? Keeping in mind that I live in a place and move in circles that has/have no awareness of vintage shoes.

 

[smfdoc]

What’s your shoe size? A lot of the older ones are very hard to find, but there are some really cool ones out there.

I wear 11.5 to 12EEE, depending on the brand. So far it seems choices are really limited to Florsheim and Hanover.