Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[jpm1]

One of my favorite Alden patterns - the “Campus Bal”. This is the 928 in black calfskin on the Aberdeen Last. The pattern is essentially the bal version of the atom blucher.

This one was made for shop called Bunce Brothers Clothing in Cleveland. Are any of you guys familiar that shop. They appear to have long been closed. Trying to date this pair and I’m thinking they are potentially 1988.

 

[Nealjpage]

View attachment 1394538

One of my favorite Alden patterns - the “Campus Bal”. This is the 928 in black calfskin on the Aberdeen Last. The pattern is essentially the bal version of the atom blucher.

This one was made for shop called Bunce Brothers Clothing in Cleveland. Are any of you guys familiar that shop. They appear to have long been closed. Trying to date this pair and I’m thinking they are potentially 1988.

How does the Aberdeen fit compared to the Barrie?

 

[CWOyaji]

This is what I refer to when I'm comparing Alden lasts.

 

[woofmang]

How does the Aberdeen fit compared to the Barrie?

For me, Aberdeen is TTS; Barrie runs a half size large.

 

[madhat]

How does the Aberdeen fit compared to the Barrie?

TTS vs half size large, more toe taper, less vamp volume. Similarly large hell.

 

[happypebble]

TTS vs half size large, more toe taper, less vamp volume. Similarly large hell.

"Similarly large hell" sounds like my shoe size. In my next life I'm coming back as some ****** size like 8.5C.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Florsheim wingtips are increasing in popularity with the 14 year old teen girl demographic. Might also explain the uptick in vintage shoe prices?

But it may also explain this:

On the one hand, if I was a women, I’d totally wear men’s shoes because women’s shoes are hideously uncomfortable (according to my wife) and are horribly made (according to me).

On the other, I don’t like the idea of women’s “wear’em 3 times and throw‘em in the back of the closet” fickle shoe fashion being applied to vintage wingtips.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Technical advice needed, fellas. I purchased a pair of AE shell Leeds recently. The uppers are nice and supple, but the insole is dried out. Like rock hard. I can't even make a mark in it with my fingernail. Any way to soften it up? I've slathered it with Bick 4. I've drenched it with neatsfoot oil. It will soak up the conditioner but the leather just doesn't seem to rehydrate.

Time. You’ll probably need to give it a few run throughs. Can you post pics of the insoles?

 

[wasmisterfu]

View attachment 1394538

One of my favorite Alden patterns - the “Campus Bal”. This is the 928 in black calfskin on the Aberdeen Last. The pattern is essentially the bal version of the atom blucher.

This one was made for shop called Bunce Brothers Clothing in Cleveland. Are any of you guys familiar that shop. They appear to have long been closed. Trying to date this pair and I’m thinking they are potentially 1988.

A great example of an actual balmoral wingtip oxford. Outstanding.

 

[Nealjpage]

Time. You’ll probably need to give it a few run throughs. Can you post pics of the insoles?

I can but it's not pretty.

 

[suitforcourt]

Perfect spring day. Hot and sunny during the day. Wore shorts and flip flops playing with the kids in the yard.

Night time is cool with a breeze. Had to put on jeans for the evening walk.

The 93606s with Dainite soles were summoned for duty. This 9E fit is great. Entire foot is snug, but enough wiggle room for my toes. Which is how I like it.

 

[Thomas Crown]

A splendid Memorial Day Sunday in the park with the Walk Over white bucks

 

[Nealjpage]

Time. You’ll probably need to give it a few run throughs. Can you post pics of the insoles?

See for yourself.

 

[CWOyaji]

If they're for personal use, it may be time to pull the factory insoles and put in some Tacco replacements.

 

[smfdoc]

But it may also explain this:

On the one hand, if I was a women, I’d totally wear men’s shoes because women’s shoes are hideously uncomfortable (according to my wife) and are horribly made (according to me).

On the other, I don’t like the idea of women’s “wear’em 3 times and throw‘em in the back of the closet” fickle shoe fashion being applied to vintage wingtips.

These are said to be calf, with "polished fumè" and "polished binder" finishes. I am not sure what this means for quality, but this line is all $680 and up. One would hope that it is not just some PU finish to cover up crappy calf.