Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nobleprofessor]

Speaking of grail status Florsheim, if you are a 9.5E, here’s your chance!

Not mine. These are from one of our members and one of the best eBay sellers. I really wish I could find 1940’s Florsheim in my size!

NEW 1940S w BOX | FLORSHEIM 9.5E "THE VIKING" S1311 VINTAGE DRESS SHOES | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW 1940S w BOX | FLORSHEIM 9.5E "THE VIKING" S1311 VINTAGE DRESS SHOES at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I just learned that Alden sells replacement boxes and will print the style and size on the box. That’s pretty cool.

 

[stook1]

I just learned that Alden sells replacement boxes and will print the style and size on the box. That’s pretty cool.

If only we could get Alden to sell Carmina or Grant Stone boxes.... ? ? ?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

If only we could get Alden to sell Carmina or Grant Stone boxes.... ? ? ?

Ha! I wish we could get Florsheim to sell vintage style boxes!

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Wingtip Wednesday!

Vintage Alden 979 in one of my favorite shades!

 

[JFWR]

Over at the Shoe Care thread, they suggested I speak to you.

I bought a pair of Carminas (non-vintage) for my mom and I antiqued them with burgundy cream polish from Colonil. They look great, but the result has been a continual bleeding of reddish pigment even after saddle soaping and neutral-polish removal of the pigment. I even used wax polish (neutral) to sort of 'seal' it, to no affect, even if it seems to work for a time, and then ceases to work.

I have antiqued other shoes and this hasn't happened. What should I do?

 

[stook1]

Ha! I wish we could get Florsheim to sell vintage style boxes!

It's funny you mention this... last weekend I created shoe box labels for all of my shoes (actually, I missed several pairs but who's counting). Prior to this time, I'd not been using boxes and it was getting to be very unmanageable. This is more space efficient and a better solution. However, I have a lot of boxes that are either unmarked or marked with a model number that I wasn't able to remember. So I decided to make big stick on labels... Much better solution since the look is consistent across brands. You might consider something like this with a generic shoe box for vintage pairs.

Here's a screenshot of Florsheim label that I made (sorry it's rotated, you get the idea). And below is how part of my shelving looks. Amazing? eh, no. But it's a functional solution and looks better than loose shoes everywhere.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

It's funny you mention this... last weekend I created shoe box labels for all of my shoes (actually, I missed several pairs but who's counting). Prior to this time, I'd not been using boxes and it was getting to be very unmanageable. This is more space efficient and a better solution. However, I have a lot of boxes that are either unmarked or marked with a model number that I wasn't able to remember. So I decided to make big stick on labels... Much better solution since the look is consistent across brands. You might consider something like this with a generic shoe box for vintage pairs.

Here's a screenshot of Florsheim label that I made (sorry it's rotated, you get the idea). And below is how part of my shelving looks. Amazing? eh, no. But it's a functional solution and looks better than loose shoes everywhere.

View attachment 1589204
View attachment 1589205

Thats a great idea! Also, Carmina and C&J? That’s a nice collection!

I was sort of thinking of custom shoe
Boxes. I even looked at some options where they put any logo on them and even emboss a logo in gold foil. Unfortunately, the minimum order was $100,000!

The replacement boxes I ordered from Alden with Style and size were $12 each.

 

[happypebble]

Well, I'm proud of myself: today, instead of falling into the temptation to buy another pair of vintage shoes (and trust me, there was a temptation), I did the smart thing instead and took a couple pairs I already had to the cobbler for a cleanup and new heels. I already know they will look super when I get them back as this is a solid quality cobbler who's done good work for me previously. (Mike's Shoe Repair, up the hill in Chinatown, Las Vegas) Keeping cobblers in business and shoes out of the landfill since MMXIX.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I have a pair of Leeds in calf. I really don’t like them. But, I have never had Leeds that are Shell. Are they a lot different. I felt like the calf Leeds we’re crappy quality. But, I’m guessing the Shell would be much better.

anyone have both and can comment?

 

[kilowatts]

I have a pair of Leeds in calf. I really don’t like them. But, I have never had Leeds that are Shell. Are they a lot different. I felt like the calf Leeds we’re crappy quality. But, I’m guessing the Shell would be much better.

anyone have both and can comment?

Hi Noble:
I have had both, sold the calf and kept the shell. I found them both comfortable but the calf became quite creased very quickly. I don’t know whether the quality was poor or what, but they didn’t work for me. I am completely satisfied with the shell which are brown in colour but really more like cognac. I like the 511 last too. I don’t know if this helps much.
kilowatts

 

[friendlygoz]

8D brothers. Cool pair. Not my listing.

Vintage Footjoy Classics lizard skin Tassel loafers Shoes Brown Men’s Size 8 D | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Footjoy Classics lizard skin Tassel loafers Shoes Brown Men’s Size 8 D at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[friendlygoz]

Modded 93602s today.

 

[JFWR]

Well, I'm proud of myself: today, instead of falling into the temptation to buy another pair of vintage shoes (and trust me, there was a temptation), I did the smart thing instead and took a couple pairs I already had to the cobbler for a cleanup and new heels. I already know they will look super when I get them back as this is a solid quality cobbler. (Mike's Shoe Repair, up the hill in Chinatown, Las Vegas) Keeping cobblers in business and shoes out of the landfill since MMXIX.

Great choice man.

I love going to Minas Shoe Repair in NYC for the same reason.

 

[NickN]

Over at the Shoe Care thread, they suggested I speak to you.

I bought a pair of Carminas (non-vintage) for my mom and I antiqued them with burgundy cream polish from Colonil. They look great, but the result has been a continual bleeding of reddish pigment even after saddle soaping and neutral-polish removal of the pigment. I even used wax polish (neutral) to sort of 'seal' it, to no affect, even if it seems to work for a time, and then ceases to work.

I have antiqued other shoes and this hasn't happened. What should I do?

Saphir Reno Mat is good for removing cream and polish without removing the underlying dye from the leather, in my limited experience.
But it's interesting you mention this issue, as out of all my varying ages of shoes and boots, the Carmina pair I have are the most tricky when using shoe cream, it seems to sit on the surface rather than get absorbed. It could be that they use some kind of factory coating, I haven't tried Reno Mat to see if I can get through it, I just wiped off the cream and they look great so am leaving well alone.