Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[LLEE]

Actually, I’d guarantee those are not, based solely on the creasing.
The man-made materials label usually denotes a lower quality shoe which likely wouldn’t be shell to begin with.
I love my old Hanover’s, but I’ve never seen one with that era logo that compares.

 

[Steppin'Out]

I’m not expert, but I’m fairly certain those are not cordovan.

Also, “Vintage” is pretty open, but I believe >20 years is a standard definition. Although, anything that even appears to meet that stylistically is alright to look at in my books.

I had thought that, couldn't find the serial number online. There was an identical looking pair of Hanover loafers on VCleat that he labelled as shell but with a different serial number. So felt it could go either way.

 

[actionjbone]

Opinions on these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HANOVER-Men...158772?hash=item239ece0b34:g:sx4AAOSwz9la0BKv

Not super cheap but I'd be interested to see the hype over shell. Assume they are 80s?

Those aren't shell. There are creases.

 

[suitforcourt]

Opinions on these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HANOVER-Men...158772?hash=item239ece0b34:g:sx4AAOSwz9la0BKv

Not super cheap but I'd be interested to see the hype over shell. Assume they are 80s?

Also, on a slightly different note, I wanted to hear your opinions on what constitutes a 'vintage' shoe? Is it literally the age, the age + styling? If it's just age, when is the cut off?

To me, vintage is the following:

1. Any brand that is no longer made (e.g. ET Wright, Hanover);

2. Brand is still around, but no longer manufacturing in a specific country (e.g. made in USA Florsheim);

3. Any shoe older than 15 years old. This number is flexible.

 

[davidVC]

Opinions on these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HANOVER-Men...158772?hash=item239ece0b34:g:sx4AAOSwz9la0BKv

Not super cheap but I'd be interested to see the hype over shell. Assume they are 80s?

Also, on a slightly different note, I wanted to hear your opinions on what constitutes a 'vintage' shoe? Is it literally the age, the age + styling? If it's just age, when is the cut off?

Yes, not shell. Faux shell

I use 25 years as the boundary for "vintage". So the 80s and some of the 90s are already vintage.

 

[smfdoc]

Opinions on these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HANOVER-Men...158772?hash=item239ece0b34:g:sx4AAOSwz9la0BKv

Not super cheap but I'd be interested to see the hype over shell. Assume they are 80s?

Also, on a slightly different note, I wanted to hear your opinions on what constitutes a 'vintage' shoe? Is it literally the age, the age + styling? If it's just age, when is the cut off?

I’m not expert, but I’m fairly certain those are not cordovan.

Also, “Vintage” is pretty open, but I believe >20 years is a standard definition. Although, anything that even appears to meet that stylistically is alright to look at in my books.

To me, vintage is the following:

1. Any brand that is no longer made (e.g. ET Wright, Hanover);

2. Brand is still around, but no longer manufacturing in a specific country (e.g. made in USA Florsheim);

3. Any shoe older than 15 years old. This number is flexible.

Yes, not shell. Faux shell

I use 25 years as the boundary for "vintage". So the 80s and some of the 90s are already vintage.

All good answers on what vintage means. But around here, we use a very loose definition.

 

[madhat]

All good answers on what vintage means. But around here, we use a very loose definition.

The overseas companies selling "Vintage" are even looser with the term...

 

[Dbc0919]

I know a few of you are owners of the 93633 Forest Green Imperials, (speaking to DavidVC if no one else). Acquired a pair and finally had some time to clean them up . . . Did the Lexol NF and then Bick and some VSC. The things were definitely not green green when I got them but now, they look really brown with maybe a hint of green in certain lighting. Is this generally to be expected? I bought some Collonil in forest green but I'm wondering if its better to start over by cleaning with Lexol cleaner or to apply the Collonil?

 

[suitforcourt]

Yes, not shell. Faux shell

I use 25 years as the boundary for "vintage". So the 80s and some of the 90s are already vintage.

When I think 25 years ago, I think of the early 1980s.....

I am so old.

 

[actionjbone]

Today felt like a Sears natural day.

 

[suitforcourt]

Today felt like a Sears natural day.

View attachment 960546

Made by Hanover? Great shoes nevertheless

 

[actionjbone]

Made by Hanover? Great shoes nevertheless

Yes! They have Hanover insoles, so I'm pretty confident they're entirely Hanover.

 

[kilowatts]

Opinions on these:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HANOVER-Men...158772?hash=item239ece0b34:g:sx4AAOSwz9la0BKv

Not super cheap but I'd be interested to see the hype over shell. Assume they are 80s?

Also, on a slightly different note, I wanted to hear your opinions on what constitutes a 'vintage' shoe? Is it literally the age, the age + styling? If it's just age, when is the cut off?

Hi There:

Not shell! Many times the eBay vendor either doesn't know or doesn't care that he may be wrong in his description. Luckily, the guys on this site will all help you out in that regard.
I think the hype around shell is due to it's cost and rarity along with a certain look. Further, the shoes made from shell are usually a very conservative style and fit the vintage vibe. Also, properly maintained they will last a lifetime as shell is spectacularly tough stuff.

kilowatts

 

[Dbc0919]

Golden Harvest from 1969

 

[instigateur]

Golden Harvest from 1969

View attachment 960658

Yum!