Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[mormonopoly]

Do these qualify as vintage? Kinda/sorta... not 100% sure how old these are but they aren't that recent and the shell color is quite lovely. Not mine.

Original Leather Allen Edmonds Hamilton Shell Cordovan Loafers Men’s Size 9.5 | eBay

<p>Original Leather Allen Edmonds Hamilton Shell Cordovan Loafers Men’s Size 9.5. Condition is Pre-owned. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.</p><br><p>Comes with Original Box and Papers. Box is slightly damaged. Were only worn once. I will provide more pictures per request.</p>

www.ebay.com

They would be around the 2000s. I don’t consider that vintage, but others may.

 

[mormonopoly]

They say W T Mason inside. Is that a person or a Canadian brand?

Typically, when Florsheim has a name listed, it’s the person they were made for.

 

[Buckeye20012001]

Fellows, is there anything I can do to correct/minimize the bulging when put on the shoes?

 

[stook1]

They would be around the 2000s. I don’t consider that vintage, but others may.

That was roughly my guess as well. In my opinion, these are made to a higher standard than current (or even recent) AE judging by the stitch density. I'd much rather have these than a pair of recent shell patriots... but they aren't my size so it's academic. A bit expensive maybe but the color is what mainly caught my eye.

 

[Nealjpage]

I wouldn’t stretch anything that’s dry. When I’ve used stretchers the leather was well hydrated. Go easy.

So, what do you think is the best way to hydrate leather? A glycerin solution?

 

[friendlygoz]

So, what do you think is the best way to hydrate leather? A glycerin solution?

I would just use lots of Bick4. You could try glycerin given how dry they seem.

 

[smfdoc]

Fellows, is there anything I can do to correct/minimize the bulging when put on the shoes? View attachment 1346177

I have not seen anything assist with bowing in the throat. If it’s there with your feet, it is not going away,

 

[Nealjpage]

Catch and release of some sort of plastic shoes from JB. They looked unworn.

 

[Raimar]

Fellows, is there anything I can do to correct/minimize the bulging when put on the shoes?

If you feel adventurous you could try steam shrinking them

 

[Buckeye20012001]

If you feel adventurous you could try steam shrinking them

Interesting method. But too bold for me. I would destroy the shoes. Thanks.

 

[Buckeye20012001]

Fellows, is there anything I can do to correct/minimize the bulging when put on the shoes? View attachment 1346177

I forgot to mention these are a pair of J. Lobb. Even more reason I will make the best of the challenge.

 

[Resipsaloquitor]

Those cleaned up amazingly!

First post gents and I must say CWO is a master craftsman when it comes to taking playdo to rembrandt!

 

[Resipsaloquitor]

i didn’t notice the shoes. I was too busy checking out the cars and enjoying the show! It’s great. The focus on BTK is pretty freaky because I lived in Wichita for 15 years and was there when he was captured and sentenced. He was (obviously) a very disturbed person. The length of time he was active and then the LONG period where was inactive before he was caught is very unusual.

My wife met him once when he was the dog catcher in Park City, Kansas. It was during his inactive time.

Funny but scary memory; I was a paperboy just outside of Wichita during the whole BTK era and remember folding papers alone outside on a porch at Zero Dark Thirty with the front page bold headline "BTK Kills Again" on every one of the 60+ papers I folded...talk about freaky memories for a young but bold teenager!

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Looks to be a custom model. I’ve never seen this model with the Florsheim rubber heel instead of the v cleat.

they are definitely custom. The name inside means they were MTO.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Since we have been talking about dry Shell and repair I have some I need suggestions for.

I bought these about 18 months ago. They have very little wear. They looked great in the pictures and in person UNTIL I put them on and walked. When they flex, there is a very small split. But, it is on a seam, so I am not sure if I am out of luck.