Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[mreams99]

I also picked up a project pair today. It was the slight spade shape of the sole that drew my attention.

 

[actionjbone]

Today, these absolutely stunning LB Sheppards went to their forever home.

(My cat Jackie was very interested in this pair.)

The uppers were in really sorry shape when I found them at a thrift store. After straightening with the water method, I used Bick 1 to remove some of the surface polish, but I was careful to leave a nice patina. Then some Renovateur followed by a couple rounds of Bick 4, and finally some medium brown Tarrago polish. Some shining after that, of course.

Surprisingly, the soles and heels are in pretty good shape.

I don't normally go for a split-toe apron, but I couldn't help loving these. Sadly, they were too small for me, but they fit a friend who visited today.

 

[CWOyaji]

Sadly, an icon of the American retail landscape ran up the white flag tonight. It was a long time coming.

Perhaps we can honor the memory of Sears by posting pictures of fine quality Sears branded vintage footwear we own. Sears by Hanover:

 

[Raimar]

Sears by Hanover?

 

[JohnAAG]

I figured with the triangle emblem it was "tri-wear" but i could find little information aside from this ad.
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Thank you! I also assumed Tri-Wear but couldn't find anything. Obviously your search skills are better than mine!

 

[JohnAAG]

I figured with the triangle emblem it was "tri-wear" but i could find little information aside from this ad.
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Apologies for the 2nd post. May I ask where you found that ad?

 

[wasmisterfu]

Up


Actually, none of the ones from the post. But a smaller desk sized one:

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That’s a cool sign. I’ve been looking for one of the brass counter-top 1970’s or 1980’s Allen Edmonds signs for my desk.

However, I was hoping you would say it was the big one so we could hear about how you explained / justified, to your wife, a 900 dollar shoe related purchase that weighes 100 lbs.

“See, honey, it’ll look great right over the fireplace!”

If you had managed that feat of spousal customs negotiations, I’d have said it was time for you to do a book, on-line seminar series and a speaking tour.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Sears by Hanover?

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Almost certainly is Hanover contract and, I think it’s the same last as used on my Wolverine “HY-Test” shoes that I’m also pretty sure were contracted to Hanover.

 

[suitforcourt]

That’s a cool sign. I’ve been looking for one of the brass counter-top 1970’s or 1980’s Allen Edmonds signs for my desk.

However, I was hoping you would say it was the big one so we could hear about how you explained / justified, to your wife, a 900 dollar shoe related purchase that weighes 100 lbs.

“See, honey, it’ll look great right over the fireplace!”

If you had managed that feat of spousal customs negotiations, I’d have said it was time for you to do a book, on-line seminar series and a speaking tour.

I might be able to squeeze a few more pairs of shoes and items in the next while. Christmas. Paid off 2 loans.

My mother in law will be staying with us.

The cumulative effect is that I should be in a better spot to fill some vacancies on my shoe shelves.

 

[suitforcourt]

That’s a cool sign. I’ve been looking for one of the brass counter-top 1970’s or 1980’s Allen Edmonds signs for my desk.

However, I was hoping you would say it was the big one so we could hear about how you explained / justified, to your wife, a 900 dollar shoe related purchase that weighes 100 lbs.

“See, honey, it’ll look great right over the fireplace!”

If you had managed that feat of spousal customs negotiations, I’d have said it was time for you to do a book, on-line seminar series and a speaking tour.

Yeah, 100lbs and over $900..... What an accomplishment that would have been. I leave it to the more seasoned brothers out there, who are willing to risk life and limb.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I figured with the triangle emblem it was "tri-wear" but i could find little information aside from this ad.
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I don’t think you should call yourself Shoonoob any more. Between that next-level work on those saddles, the still remarkable correcto-bucks and now some impressive sleuthing on those Tri-Wear’s, I think you’ll need to revise your username or something.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Yeah, 100lbs and over $900..... What an accomplishment that would have been. I leave it to the more seasoned brothers out there, who are willing to risk life and limb.

My wife puts up with a lot of crap from me, but she would have been mighty upset if that thing showed up on our doorstep. Though I’m fairly sure she’d have secretly been impressed by my chutzpah at attempting to sell her on such an absurd purchase (not that it would change the outcome).

Sadly, I suspect such a sign will go to a collector of vintage Americana, not a shoe “enthusiast”. This is because we, as shoe “enthusiasts”, have to maintain a balance between the desire to own every cool shoe, and shoe related item we see, and some outward semblance of “normality”. Otherwise we’d land in places with padded rooms, and then where would we wear our cool shoes?

 

[meister]

I also picked up a project pair today. It was the slight spade shape of the sole that drew my attention.
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That's top stuff you have there. I bought a NOS pair once. The mild spade and the construction (hand lasted) etc = Beautiful.

After a big drink straight to Mr Topy.

 

[meister]

Hi all! Brand new here, but this thread was so intriguing I joined.

I was looking for info on some old shoes I picked up a while back at a vintage shop, and some similar numbers came up here. These are French, Shriner & Urners of unknown year except pre-1955ish (any ideas?), and I wear them rarely, solely because I'm concerned about the cracking leather in the heel and wondering what I might do to at least stop any further damage.

Thanks for all the good info here!
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Those are definitely early 50s. I have the same pair in white buck instead of ventilated nylon. The trick for the rear tears is to get your cobbler to install a strip inside the achilles around 1/2 wide which is glued in. Then overstitch on the outside where the existing edge stitching is so the new reinforcement stitching hides invisibly amongst the existing edge stitching. French Shriner & Urner is the guarantee of a great shoe.

 

[meister]

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Hi Guys:

I picked these up this morning at my local Value Village, French; Village de Valeur! They are NOS made in Canada by Maverick Brand footwear of Toronto, Ontario, the same family as Sorel snow boots. Very tough boots solid black cow leather, lining and one of those bullet proof Biltrite Neoprene soles and heels complete with the brass thingy in the sole. Very good for yard work and bad weather, sized 5110 and fit me well.

kilowatts

I'd dump the criss cross lacing. Not a good look IMO. Straight lacing will allow the lacing to be pulled tighter together.