Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[VintageZealot]

Here's some older pictures I took of a pair of Wright Arch Preserver mesh ventilated shoes I got myself awhile ago. These are a bit different than most of the mesh styles I see, most of those are U-tips rather than wingtips and the dark chocolate brown colour is also less common than the lighter reddish browns most seem to be. Now all I need to do is find a black w/ grey mesh pair in my size...

They look like they are from the 1940s but I'm not 100% certain. I've never seen a pair of Wright Arch Preservers with a red fabric tag in them before, all of the ones I've seen have white tags.

They have a lot of marks and wear on them in these pictures but they have since been cleaned up. I did take more photos of them later but I wanted to share the "before" pictures first. I also changed the laces to flat ones later on.





"MARSHAL FIELD & CO The shop for men CHICAGO" is barely visible on the inside of this shoe.

"wright arch preserver shoes" is even less visible in the other shoe.

Here is the unusual red fabric tag, I assume this would date them more specifically but this is the only pair I've seen with this tag compared to the other white ones so I can't quite place how old they are. From the overall look I would say sometime in the 1940s.

More insole writing with the outline of the arch preserver itself slightly visible under the tongue. I'm not sure if "AMHERST" refers to the last of the shoe or not. My other pair of Arch Preservers says "INDIANA" in that spot but most of the ones I see online say "DREXEL" there.

 

[friendlygoz]

AE Brewton today

 

[suitforcourt]

On a rainy and foggy day, the Mason Executive Imperials in CG come out to play.

These are most certainly tier 2, maybe 3, shoes. Plastic welts, cheaper sole material, and definitely cheaper parts used. But they are comfortable and fit well.

 

[smfdoc]

Happy Thanksgiving forum pals. Off for my huge 2 mile trip for dinner, wearing Florsheims, of course.

 

[Vincent George]

Happy Thanksgiving

Hanover 2351 today.

 

[Satoman1]

Just picked up a pair of Mchale's Caravan Collection in almost NOS condition. Camel leather i guess

 

[Hotel Cali]

Just picked up a pair of Mchale's Caravan Collection in almost NOS condition. Camel leather i guess
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I wonder how those got to your location (Vietnam)?

 

[Satoman1]

I wonder how those got to your location (Vietnam)?

Some people have told me that old clothes and shoes are charity items from developed countries. Sad but true that somehow charity items is sold to sellers and sellers sell to buyers like me

 

[JFWR]

Some people have told me that old clothes and shoes are charity items from developed countries. Sad but true that somehow charity items is sold to sellers and sellers sell to buyers like me

Probably.

Not gonna lie, I go to Goodwill and other charity shops to pick up deals on things I think I can resell by refurbishing or which I think they have no idea what the value is of what they're selling. Mostly shoes, but also things like cashmere coats going for 5 bucks, silk ties from good makers for 1 dollar...etc.

 

[friendlygoz]

Alden NST with commando sole and my Seagul 1963 watch with a green shell cordovan strap made by yours truly…

 

[happypebble]

Alden NST with commando sole and my Seagul 1963 watch with a green shell cordovan strap made by yours truly… View attachment 1861026 View attachment 1861027 View attachment 1861029

Green shell cordovan. Wow. That's cool.

 

[mormonopoly]

These are Florsheim "The Laurel" from 1971. They were unworn when I got them.

 

[JFWR]

These are Florsheim "The Laurel" from 1971. They were unworn when I got them. View attachment 1861599 View attachment 1861600 View attachment 1861601 View attachment 1861602

A very handsome moc toe, though I think I personally prefer the split toe over a moc toe. Something about the moc toe seems naked without the seam.

Still, beautiful shoes as always.

 

[JFWR]

Alden NST with commando sole and my Seagul 1963 watch with a green shell cordovan strap made by yours truly… View attachment 1861026 View attachment 1861027 View attachment 1861029

That green shell strap is the bomb diggity.

 

[friendlygoz]

Nettleton shell saddles today