Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nealjpage]

Today’s installment of shoes I might have worn if I weren’t sheltering in place: Allen Edmonds Boulevard in aniline brown from 1984. Stay healthy and safe... View attachment 1361833 View attachment 1361834 View attachment 1361835

Seven eyelets? That's cool.

 

[Thomas Crown]

Ok,the promised shoe Appreciation for @suitforcourt -Though these aren’t vintage,like the new USA made Bostonians they are of interest to many of us here as a way of trying to find silver linings in what’s become of our venerable brands. Last fall I scored these recent Florsheim Heritage LWBs on clearance from Florsheim for $109. I figured if nothing else they look great and to seal the deal used Horween Essex leather. They aren’t leather lined though it’s a fabric lining rather than fake leather. The footbed is also padded. Beyond that,the stitching is good,double row and tight. They’re comfortable and are Goodyear welted with single rather than double leather soles and have rubber toplift heels nailed in place. Most importantly the leather is buttery soft and a lovely natural color.

 

[CWOyaji]

$75 -you make ten bucks and then they sorta fit me?

Sounds fair. PM me.

 

[smfdoc]

Ok,the promised shoe Appreciation for @suitforcourt -Though these aren’t vintage,like the new USA made Bostonians they are of interest to many of us here as a way of trying to find silver linings in what’s become of our venerable brands. Last fall I scored these recent Florsheim Heritage LWBs on clearance from Florsheim for $109. I figured if nothing else they look great and to seal the deal used Horween Essex leather. They aren’t leather lined though it’s a fabric lining rather than fake leather. The footbed is also padded. Beyond that,the stitching is good,double row and tight. They’re comfortable and are Goodyear welted with single rather than double leather soles and have rubber toplift heels nailed in place. Most importantly the leather is buttery soft and a lovely natural color. View attachment 1362624 View attachment 1362625 View attachment 1362626 View attachment 1362627 View attachment 1362628 View attachment 1362629 View attachment 1362636

I would have bought a pair or two of these special shoes, but they did not offer EEE, just D

 

[Nealjpage]

My house shoes. Allen Edmonds kiltie loafers. Vintage 1990s, I think. Yes, I feel old because I have dedicated house shoes, just like Mr. Rogers.

 

[Buckeye20012001]

I purchased these shoes for $4.50. I want to restore/polish. I e cleaned Lexol and one of Brick to get a clean view of what needs to recovered. Dexter made in America. I am guessing late 80’s/early 90’s. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[suitforcourt]

Ok,the promised shoe Appreciation for @suitforcourt -Though these aren’t vintage,like the new USA made Bostonians they are of interest to many of us here as a way of trying to find silver linings in what’s become of our venerable brands. Last fall I scored these recent Florsheim Heritage LWBs on clearance from Florsheim for $109. I figured if nothing else they look great and to seal the deal used Horween Essex leather. They aren’t leather lined though it’s a fabric lining rather than fake leather. The footbed is also padded. Beyond that,the stitching is good,double row and tight. They’re comfortable and are Goodyear welted with single rather than double leather soles and have rubber toplift heels nailed in place. Most importantly the leather is buttery soft and a lovely natural color. View attachment 1362624 View attachment 1362625 View attachment 1362626 View attachment 1362627 View attachment 1362628 View attachment 1362629 View attachment 1362636

From time to time, Florsheim shows moments of brilliance. This pair is a prime example. The construction looks very good and a proper homage to his forefathers who served.

Another enthusiast on Facebook sold off a few pairs of Florsheim shell. Made in India. They also look really well made.

If Florsheim can get with the program, I would buy a pair or two. Even the Duckie Brown series is fairly impressive relative to the mainstream collection.

Thanks for sharing. Greatly needed during this time of social isolation.

 

[suitforcourt]

That is some bad luck. Suggest reinforcing the back of the cracked area with a leather patch glued with barge cement and wearing the shoes laced wide, but it's hard to know if that will keep the crack small.

[EDIT] Just noticed that your post was from a while back. Hope it was repairable after all.

@friendlygoz - whatever became of this pair?

 

[FeloniusMonk]

I purchased these shoes for $4.50. I want to restore/polish. I e cleaned Lexol and one of Brick to get a clean view of what needs to recovered. Dexter made in America. I am guessing late 80’s/early 90’s. Any advice is appreciated. View attachment 1362710 View attachment 1362711 View attachment 1362712 View attachment 1362713

Honestly, they don't look like they need much. With as shiny as they are, I'd guess they're corrected-grain, so you're not going to get much done with conditioners or cream polishes. I'd just use some burgundy wax polish on the little nicks on the toes and call it good

 

[nikolau]

Are you talking the same model/last, or totally different shoes?

Same model and last.

 

[FeloniusMonk]

Same model and last.

I'd say it depends on how your normal size fits. As already said, a half size larger in the next narrowest width should be about the same width, but it will be slightly longer. So if the shoe already is a little long in your normal size, then sizing up and narrower might not be the best idea. But if it's approaching too short, then you'd probably be fine.

 

[woofmang]

My house shoes. Allen Edmonds kiltie loafers. Vintage 1990s, I think. Yes, I feel old because I have dedicated house shoes, just like Mr. Rogers.

View attachment 1362701

Actually, you should feel old because you're old enough to know that Mr. Rogers had house shoes (and let's don't forget that cardigan!).

 

[Hotel Cali]

I know you guys can tell the difference ... but can your spouse?

1 or A:

2 or B:

3 or C:

Which looks better? 1 or 2? 2 or 3? How about A or B? B or C?

 

[Hotel Cali]

Are these shoes upper vinyl? Like corfam?

They would make a good buy for vegetarians and vegans.

 

[Nealjpage]

They would make a good buy for vegetarians and vegans.

I have a pair listed with just such a selling point.