Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[JFWR]

It was a dark and stormy night, and my cheaply made, foreign shoes were already soaked through, the poor quality leather bubbling, and my toes sloshing in the soaked memory foam exterior. If only I had chosen instead to wear quality shoes from yesteryear, shoes made to last a life time and face the elements, I would not now be miserable and foolish. My thoughts drifted to the golden age of quality men's shoes, whose high-quality leather would have laughed at the storm as a mere drizzle, and retain throughout the elegance I so desperately craved. My tears joined the rain as I whispered, "Damn you, Rockport, damn you to Hell."

 

[eTrojan]

Maybe I should write something. I was considering a write up about Footjoy.

Lots of people know they make the best golf shoes. But, they also made premium handmade dress shoes for decades. For a long time, some of their styles were on par with Alden. In fact, I’m still suspicious that Alden may have made some styles for FJ. I think some of the vintage FJ shoes are very worth collecting and represent a true quality Goodyear welted shoe.

I have three FOUR pair of vintage Foot-Joy I can photograph to support the cause.

• Alligator loafers
• Tassel, kiltie wingtip spectator loafers
• Black LWB
• Lizard golf shoes

The LWB may be the finest shoe in my closet. It is tremendous.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I have three FOUR pair of vintage Foot-Joy I can photograph to support the cause.

• Alligator loafers
• Tassel, kiltie wingtip spectator loafers
• Black LWB
• Lizard golf shoes

The LWB may be the finest shoe in my closet. It is tremendous.

I have a pair of Alligator Tassel loafers, a pair of saddle shoes with a semi spade sole, a new pair of NST (2018) and I think I still have another pair of some style. But, pictures of yours would be great to include! I bet the LWB are great!

 

[Quantum17]

I had a little afternoon nap, and woke up to find these NOS Florsheim Imperial 92604's by McHale sitting at my front door. Maybe it is true that afternoon naps are good for you. I certainly feel better now. They are likely late 70's or early 80's.

View attachment 1566018 View attachment 1566019 View attachment 1566020

I’m a huge fan of Johnny Big Mac, especially when served with box. Wowza, this pair is rare indeed?

 

[stook1]

Check these boots out from David's list. Too small for me but such a cool pair. (not mine)

NOS 20's HANOVER DRESS BOOTS BLACK LEATHER CAP TOE VTG ANTIQUE DEADSTOCK 9.5 D | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NOS 20's HANOVER DRESS BOOTS BLACK LEATHER CAP TOE VTG ANTIQUE DEADSTOCK 9.5 D at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Quantum17]

We should have a @davidVC creative writing contest. Like the Edward Bulwer Lytton contest they used to have at San Jose State. @friendlygoz will remember this. All entries had to begin with “It was a dark and stormy night...” .

I think of myself a writer as much as Joey Chestnut thinks himself an important figure in the culinary world. But I’ll definitely join the contest given the prize will most likely be vintage shoes (tho I could settle for hotdogs as well). Ahhh, vintage shoes, light of my life, fire of my loins.

 

[stook1]

Some people make no sense to me. I'm venting here so bear with me...

Sent a note to a seller on 1/1 asking nicely if they were open to offers. Auction already had been listed for months. Get a terse reply back - not interested in offers. Fine, whatever. Happen to notice them again tonight. Same price as 2 months ago. Sent another nice note to the seller. Nope. Not interested in hearing an offer. Shoes have been listed for many months at this point. They are obviously overpriced. WTF. How many odd brand vintage dress shoe buyers are there out there that a seller is gonna send the same interested buyer packing not once... but twice.

Good riddance... told him I wouldn't bother wasting my own time or his going forward.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

This is a new one to me. I didn’t realize that Florsheim made Shell Cordovan LWB in India!

Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan Leather Wingtip Dress Shoes 10.5D | eBay

<p>Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan Leather Wingtip Dress Shoes 10.5D. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[stook1]

This is a new one to me. I didn’t realize that Florsheim made Shell Cordovan LWB in India!

Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan Leather Wingtip Dress Shoes 10.5D | eBay

<p>Florsheim Imperial Shell Cordovan Leather Wingtip Dress Shoes 10.5D. Condition is "Pre-owned". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.</p>

www.ebay.com

Saw that too. Likewise a mystery. Also strange is the damage to the front of the welt. How does one accomplish that? Trying to run your foot through the cheese slicer at the deli?

 

[Oshare]

Saw that too. Likewise a mystery. Also strange is the damage to the front of the welt. How does one accomplish that? Trying to run your foot through the cheese slicer at the deli?

That looks like the normal joint in the welt, which is normally hidden on the inside edge near the heel so it's not conspicuous like that one right on the toe.

Maybe this why we don't see too many made-in-India shell cordovan Florsheims?

 

[Oshare]

Thanks! How does Boot Black cream/wax perform when compared to Saphir MDO ?

Hi there. I just responded to your private message, but will also post it here for anyone else who is curious.

My take on it is that Boot Black makes some good polish, but I wouldn't pay $40 a bottle. Here in Japan it's about $8 for the lower end Silver line, and $10 to $12 for the upper end Black label line. At those prices, I think they are a good buy.

I normally use Saphir cremes just because I kind of baby my shoes, but I picked up a few bottles of Boot Black when I couldn't get Saphir in a color I wanted. Boot Black creams smell different, but in terms of performance I don't really notice anything significantly wonderful about them.

 

[kilowatts]

Hi guys:

I’ll try to do Dave.

It was a dark and stormy night. Bad part of town. NOS Dacks getting wet. Climbed to the third floor. Knocked. She opened up. She noticed.
“Not another pair”, she growled. “You’re on the sofa. Again. Buddy”, she snarled. ............

kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

That looks like the normal joint in the welt, which is normally hidden on the inside edge near the heel so it's not conspicuous like that one right on the toe.

Maybe this why we don't see too many made-in-India shell cordovan Florsheims?

Hi there:

Duckie Brown made some stellar Indian shell longwings in several colours (colors). Some looked great and others looked vile.
I have two pair of Florsheim Indian suede longwings which I like a lot. Not as good as vintage but nice anyway.

kilowatts

 

[stook1]

That looks like the normal joint in the welt, which is normally hidden on the inside edge near the heel so it's not conspicuous like that one right on the toe.

Maybe this why we don't see too many made-in-India shell cordovan Florsheims?

You think??? You really might be right. I have never seen a welt join on the toe though. That is really pretty strange.

 

[friendlygoz]

Sharks in the park: ?skin Nassaus from 1983.