Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[AEShoeMan]

I like what you did with the edges. Did you put some edge dressing on there?

Thanks - I think it is a fun way to really change the look of the shoes that is relatively easy and inexpensive. For the edges I sanded them down using various grit of sandpaper - starting with a coarse grit and then working up to a finer grit (I think I started with an 80 grit -> 180 grit -> and finished off with a 400 grit if I recall correctly). I have used the Allen Edmonds edge dressing on other shoes I have done this to, but wanted a more natural look for these so used a couple light coats of brown shoe polish (wax) on them after I sanded them down. I have a couple examples of my experience spoilered below.

Spoiler: My examples of different edges

AE Natural edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

AE Chili Edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

Brown shoe polish and no edge dressing:
The pair I am wearing today (pic from a previous post I did this weekend)

 

[friendlygoz]

Thanks - I think it is a fun way to really change the look of the shoes that is relatively easy and inexpensive. For the edges I sanded them down using various grit of sandpaper - starting with a coarse grit and then working up to a finer grit (I think I started with an 80 grit -> 180 grit -> and finished off with a 400 grit if I recall correctly). I have used the Allen Edmonds edge dressing on other shoes I have done this to, but wanted a more natural look for these so used a couple light coats of brown shoe polish (wax) on them after I sanded them down. I have a couple examples of my experience spoilered below.

Spoiler: My examples of different edges

AE Natural edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

AE Chili Edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

Brown shoe polish and no edge dressing:
The pair I am wearing today (pic from a previous post I did this weekend)

Nice. Thanks for sharing. You inspired me to do this on my 93604s, and I may try it on my shell MacNeils to set them apart a bit more from shell 93605s. I use Fiebings edge dressing. I found that letting the edge dressing dry and then rubbing it with a wet rag gives it a nice, even finish. I then put some neutral polish. I'll share some pix if/when I make the move on other shoes. Thanks!

 

[wasmisterfu]

Wearing Dr. Scholl’s today. I love the shoes, but not sure I love them with suits. Feel more informal so may have to relegate to khakis and jeans duty.

View attachment 1054194 View attachment 1054195 View attachment 1054196

They certainly don’t appear informal to me? They’re very unconventional though; 7 eyelet pseudo-blucher derby, that’s a half-brogued medallion cap toe. That’s just not something you see every day. Last wise, they’re nicely shaped; not overly chunky or super-tapered, I think they are a fine shoe for pairing with a lighter colored suit (as you’ve done). That and they’re just cool and different.

 

[Thomas Crown]

Sunny fall day calls for the Dexters

Courtesy of @CWOyaji -very comfortable and great fit(with an insert-a bit roomier than AE) got a nice pic of the color in the sun

 

[Thomas Crown]

Good morning! Project boots are done. When I got them ... View attachment 1054069

Uppers were in near perfect condition, but the leather was dull and didn't have much character. Edges needed work.

Now (puppy photo bomb!) ...
View attachment 1054071
View attachment 1054070
I wanted them to appear a little rugged so I just used the Pure cleaner conditoner and dark brown cream polish, not the wax, to keep the shine down. Sanded the edges and treated them with the Pure conditoner and then 2 coats of the neutral wax.

Help deciding laces? The boot on the right has the same lace in both pics
View attachment 1054068
View attachment 1054072

Have an amazing day!
John

Those boots are fantastic,all the laces look good with them. Love the split toe. Great job on those! And belatedly,congratulations on the fine job in the revival challenge- those were my favorite pair in an incredible set of entries!

 

[ORLThrifter]

Thanks - I think it is a fun way to really change the look of the shoes that is relatively easy and inexpensive. For the edges I sanded them down using various grit of sandpaper - starting with a coarse grit and then working up to a finer grit (I think I started with an 80 grit -> 180 grit -> and finished off with a 400 grit if I recall correctly). I have used the Allen Edmonds edge dressing on other shoes I have done this to, but wanted a more natural look for these so used a couple light coats of brown shoe polish (wax) on them after I sanded them down. I have a couple examples of my experience spoilered below.

Spoiler: My examples of different edges

AE Natural edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

AE Chili Edge dressing followed by coat of neutral shoe polish:

Brown shoe polish and no edge dressing:
The pair I am wearing today (pic from a previous post I did this weekend)

Thank you for the inspiration! I was thinking of testing this out on a pair of black Florsheim LWBs and was hesitant to just use black edge dressing. Many thanks!

 

[suitforcourt]

I went to 5 thrift stores today. Walked away with the following:

1. Disappointment;
2. Memories of square toe and glued monstrosities;
3. A pathetic report for this group.

I seek your indulgence and forgiveness.

 

[suitforcourt]

As we already know from his a bit hidden but still aggressive advertising, having Suitforcourt on your side you can afford a lot more than likening posts in the web. Some dick swinging in real life, maybe. Anyone?

No one from this group would qualify for my services as I work for a legal aid organization.

 

[eTrojan]

They certainly don’t appear informal to me? They’re very unconventional though; 7 eyelet pseudo-blucher derby, that’s a half-brogued medallion cap toe. That’s just not something you see every day. Last wise, they’re nicely shaped; not overly chunky or super-tapered, I think they are a fine shoe for pairing with a lighter colored suit (as you’ve done). That and they’re just cool and different.

Maybe it’s just the fuller cut of this suit that makes them seem odd. I’ll try again with something more slim cut.

And the leather on these is amazing. I love these because they’re different; the fact that the construction is top-notch is just a bonus.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Maybe it’s just the fuller cut of this suit that makes them seem odd. I’ll try again with something more slim cut.

And the leather on these is amazing. I love these because they’re different; the fact that the construction is top-notch is just a bonus.

I think it’s probably just a perception thing. Try this: have someone else take a video of you wearing those shoes with the suit you think they look odd with. I think you’ll find that from a distance, and different vantage points, you won’t think they’re odd looking.

 

[wasmisterfu]

No one from this group would qualify for my services as I work for a legal aid organization.

See, I told you guys he wouldn’t help us out Pro Bono. He’s got all them fancy lawyer shoes he’s gotta pay for.

 

[suitforcourt]

See, I told you guys he wouldn’t help us out Pro Bono. He’s got all them fancy lawyer shoes he’s gotta pay for.

LOL!

 

[wasmisterfu]

I went to 5 thrift stores today. Walked away with the following:

1. Disappointment;
2. Memories of square toe and glued monstrosities;
3. A pathetic report for this group.

I seek your indulgence and forgiveness.

I’ll do better than that, i’ll commiserate: I was surrounded by stuff like this all day:

 

[wasmisterfu]

Okay, so your browsing Etsy for that elusive “not crap” listing when you come across these AE’s:

Okay, not horrible...

Little over polished and dry looking, but nothing too terrible... until...

Spoiler: OMFG WTF IS GOING ON HERE

Eeewwwwwww... yuck!

What is that? How did they get this way? What happened?!

They don’t even have that much wear... they’re still on their original soles and heels?!

What happened?

I think the sellers $109 asking price is a tad unrealistic.

 

[M635Guy]

That's often attributed to glue, but... yuck