Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nobleprofessor]

All of these references to Hong Kong are very strange because I found TODAY a pair of bespoke Kow Hoo Shell Cordovan Tassel loafers!

And a pair of what I believe are Camel Florsheim LWB from the 1950’s!

 

[The Apostle]

I think these will qualify. Found on eBay... Received today.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Here’s some pics of the finds from today:

The tassels came off the one pair but I have them. . I’m going to have to figure out how to get that replaced.

 

[actionjbone]

Here’s some pics of the finds from today:

View attachment 1324364 View attachment 1324365 View attachment 1324366 View attachment 1324367 View attachment 1324368

The tassels came off the one pair but I have them. . I’m going to have to figure out how to get that replaced.

Probably either damaged or dry rot.

I had that happen on a scavenged pair of AEs.

I figured if the strap was that hopeless, the tassels were probably only so long for this world.

So instead, I picked up some braided leather cord and weaved it in through the holes, then tied a knot over the vamp as a new ornament.

But you could do all kinds of stuff, maybe find some contrasting color or velvet tassels to customize the pair, really make them your own.

 

[happypebble]

Just remember Canadian and English brands use different lettering to note widths. Ask us if there's a doubt.

is there a chart comparing Canada/UK sizes to American sizes? That might come in handy in case I ever run across some Dacks or some such.

 

[stook1]

Probably either damaged or dry rot.

I had that happen on a scavenge care of AEs.

I figured if the strap was that hopeless, the tassels were probably only so long for this world.

So instead, I picked up some braided leather cord and weaved it in through the holes, then tied a knot over the vamp as a new ornament.

But you could do all kinds of stuff, maybe find some contrasting color or velvet tassels to customize the pair, really make them your own.

Agree! Rather than replace the tassles, I'd make them into string loafers. Here's an example from carmina. I feel it's a little more modern of a look, although I do appreciate a classic tassle loafer as well.

 

[mormonopoly]

Here’s some pics of the finds from today:

View attachment 1324364 View attachment 1324365 View attachment 1324366 View attachment 1324367 View attachment 1324368

The tassels came off the one pair but I have them. . I’m going to have to figure out how to get that replaced.

Very cool finds. Any more pics of the Florsheim? They don’t much look like any florsheims I’ve seen before

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Very cool finds. Any more pics of the Florsheim? They don’t much look like any florsheims I’ve seen before

Here you go. The numbers are too worn to read.

 

[suitforcourt]

is there a chart comparing Canada/UK sizes to American sizes? That might come in handy in case I ever run across some Dacks or some such.

Don't know about chart.

But in general, whatever is your US length, drop one for UK. So if you're 12US, go 11UK.

For width, everything is comparable until F, which I find equivalent to EE or E in US.

G is EE or EEE. And H is EEE or EEEE.

For Canadian sizing, length is same as US. Width same as English.

 

[stook1]

Pardon the cross post, I just showed these in the AE thread as well. These are vintage though so I thought you gentlemen might enjoy seeing them.

It would be absurd for me to complain since this pair was stupid cheap. Having said that they arrived just coated in years of excess polish. The seller included the cordovan cream and the little application brush that I guess had been used. The brush was even caked with polish. Why do people do that with shell? Fortunately, I happen to have renomat on hand, which did an excellent job of stripping all the nasty gunk off the shoes, which revealed a truly superb patina. FAR better than anticipated.

In my rush to start the restoration, I unfortunately neglected to take before pics. I really wish I had though since the before/after is astonishing. I'll need to decide what to do about the soles on this pair. They aren't soft yet, although they are worn, and the toes are pretty thin in particular. The heel lifts are basically shot. I might just re-hell and topy them for now. I need to see if they fit first. Haven't even tried them on yet.

Here's how they look now.

 

[The Apostle]

 

[kilowatts]

Hi guys:
Don’t want to sound like a carper but I don’t think that size chart is accurate. UK size is one size down. US D is UK F. US E is UK G and so on.
I went to the Church factory in Northampton and had a primer from the salesgirl in their store.
kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

Besides, vintage shoe sizes are more like a suggestion rather than a precise system. The only way to be sure is to try them on. I have sizes from one full size down to one full size up and they all fit fine and several width measurements. I guess like most things, it all depends....

 

[Jiqea]

Here you go. The numbers are too worn to read. View attachment 1324397 View attachment 1324398 View attachment 1324399 View attachment 1324400

I have the same shoe in black, and I thought they were some type of embossed calf, but I could be wrong on that. My pair were made in Canada at the McHale factory in the mid 70's. The McHale factory was the only one in Canada to ever make Florsheim, and this medallion pattern shows up on quite a few of their shoes. I am reasonably certain this is what you have,

 

[Oshare]

Hm. At least for me, the chart is accurate:
US 9.5 / UK 9 / 27cm

Going down to a UK 8.5 is too small for my feet.