Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

As a person who despises speed hooks, I am slightly offended but also I admire your tenacity. 🤣

I recently swapped speed hooks for D-rings on a pair of Carolina work boots. So I feel your pain!

I don't like threading the laces each time. Speed hooks make me happy.

Why do you despise them? Aesthetic?

 

[actionjbone]

I don't like threading the laces each time. Speed hooks make me happy.

Why do you despise them? Aesthetic?

I find them much slower to use than D-rings or eyelets, and the laces fall off of I don't lace them tightly enough.

 

[suitforcourt]

I find them much slower to use than D-rings or eyelets, and the laces fall off of I don't lace them tightly enough.

Interesting. I find it takes me more time to remove the laces and then relace when it's just eyelets.

I don't have any pairs with D rings, but I suspect I'd still prefer speed hooks. I usually only want 3.

 

[sethrobert]

I love the look of long wings, I wouldn't be here if I didn't! But I have an issue where the little toe on my left foot gets jammed. These 11 EE Mason Executive Imperials have alleviated that issue for the most part but I have to tie them pretty tightly and a pair of 10.5 EE I got recently are a little too small. I have tried different sizes to mitigate the little toe issue but might have to just go wide with insoles for a proper fit. Are there any LWBs with a wider last? Should I duct tape my toe? I will keep searching.

 

[smfdoc]

I love the look of long wings, I wouldn't be here if I didn't! But I have an issue where the little toe on my left foot gets jammed. These 11 EE Mason Executive Imperials have alleviated that issue for the most part but I have to tie them pretty tightly and a pair of 10.5 EE I got recently are a little too small. I have tried different sizes to mitigate the little toe issue but might have to just go wide with insoles for a proper fit. Are there any LWBs with a wider last? Should I duct tape my toe? I will keep searching.
View attachment 2222311

Welcome to the Style forum and to our little thread! I do know that some models of Florsheims come in EEE and that will likely be the additional room you want. I would start with 10.5EEE and then you can move up to 11 if needed. You may also want to explore a shoe stretcher that increases the width of the shoe, such as the one below. They increase the width and there are small black inserts so you can gain additional stretch for a specific point such as your toe. Be sure to also get a bottle of shoe stretch spray when you place your order.

 

[sethrobert]

Welcome to the Style forum and to our little thread! I do know that some models of Florsheims come in EEE and that will likely be the additional room you want. I would start with 10.5EEE and then you can move up to 11 if needed. You may also want to explore a shoe stretcher that increases the width of the shoe, such as the one below. They increase the width and there are small black inserts so you can gain additional stretch for a specific point such as your toe. Be sure to also get a bottle of shoe stretch spray when you place your order.


View attachment 2222333

That’s what I need thank you!

 

[actionjbone]

Interesting. I find it takes me more time to remove the laces and then relace when it's just eyelets.

I don't have any pairs with D rings, but I suspect I'd still prefer speed hooks. I usually only want 3.

Yeah, it's very much a "me" thing. I realize I'm the weird one for having trouble with them.

D rings are a happy medium for me. The laces can loosen up very easily without fully pulling them out, but they are still held in place. Plus, I really like the way they look.

 

[Raimar]

Shell C555C after some work:
Acetone, Bick 4, VSC neutral (for additional cleaning), Lexol Neatsfoot, 1909 Collonil Creme de Luxe neutral. Lots of brushing between each step. Still need to add edge dressing.
Debating whether I should add some shell pigmented cream to try to even out colors. No pigment used so far. Opinions?

 

[smfdoc]

Shell C555C after some work:
Acetone, Bick 4, VSC neutral (for additional cleaning), Lexol Neatsfoot, 1909 Collonil Creme de Luxe neutral. Lots of brushing between each step. Still need to add edge dressing.
Debating whether I should add some shell pigmented cream to try to even out colors. No pigment used so far. Opinions?

The official answer is to do what makes you happy. BUT, to me, the variation in color is part of the story of vintage shell. That patina is incredible when shined up like you did. I only add color when there is damage and the color is missing.

 

[clazbaugh]

I’ve been trying to piece together the logo history for Nunn-Bush shoes to help in dating vintage pairs. Despite being a pretty recognizable footwear company, there’s not a lot of info out there. Here is an example:

And another one:

Would anyone have information on when these particular logo styles were used? Appreciate any assistance.

 

[mormonopoly]

I’ve been trying to piece together the logo history for Nunn-Bush shoes to help in dating vintage pairs. Despite being a pretty recognizable footwear company, there’s not a lot of info out there. Here is an example:

View attachment 2223863
And another one:

View attachment 2223865
Would anyone have information on when these particular logo styles were used? Appreciate any assistance.

Those are both midcentury era, but nunn bush used a lot of logos around that time, so it’s hard to say exactly when each of those was in use.

 

[clazbaugh]

Those are both midcentury era, but nunn bush used a lot of logos around that time, so it’s hard to say exactly when each of those was in use.

If I remember correctly, you have a few pairs of Nunn-Bush from around the 50s. What is your opinion on quality of their shoes from that time?

 

[mormonopoly]

If I remember correctly, you have a few pairs of Nunn-Bush from around the 50s. What is your opinion on quality of their shoes from that time?

They are fantastic. The quality starts to dip fast around the mid to late 60s, but before that, they made really excellent shoes.

 

[clazbaugh]

They are fantastic. The quality starts to dip fast around the mid to late 60s, but before that, they made really excellent shoes.

Thanks so much for the insight! Much appreciated.

 

[CWOyaji]

Shell C555C after some work:
Acetone, Bick 4, VSC neutral (for additional cleaning), Lexol Neatsfoot, 1909 Collonil Creme de Luxe neutral. Lots of brushing between each step. Still need to add edge dressing.
Debating whether I should add some shell pigmented cream to try to even out colors. No pigment used so far. Opinions?

I think they look good the way they are. Great job!