Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Nobleprofessor]

Somebody on the Alden Facebook group posted his collection of tassel loafers — all, or nearly all, shades of brown. It got me wondering if there is one style of shoe that dominates my collection. I didn’t count every pair because some are in a storage room.

Of my regular pairs in two closets, the Long Wing Blucher is definitely the most popular maybe even the majority. I don’t know what second place would be. Maybe SWB.

 

[Oshare]

93605s for a Florsheim Friday.
Have a good one, gentlemen!

 

[smfdoc]

Dodge and survive!

I believe some would call that a strategic retreat.

 

[smfdoc]

Hi Guys:

I really like those pebbly Leeds. I didn't know they were ever made. What I'd really like to see is a pair of suede Leeds, but I don't think those exist at all. I hope someone proves me wrong, in size 11E.

kilowatts

They made some suede Leeds in the early 2020 trunk show. Let @ae_ashley or your favorite SA know what you are looking for. They may run across a pair from the shoe bank.

 

[CWOyaji]

Hanover

And some Gustin selvedge in my younger son’s size I just pulled at a GW for unspeakably little dollars.

 

[JFWR]

Me too.

Four years ago I was in NYC with my girlfriend wondering when she could contact her friends so I can have a free afternoon for shoe shopping.

Approaching Central Station she saw Alden store and said "hey shoefreak why don't you go in and check if you find something you like", I also follow my instincts and said "nahh, I am tired".

Dodge and survive!

The ladies in my life understand and support my shoe fixation.

 

[TMoxleyFTW]

Hey guys, sorry for the blatant shilling, but I was told that one of the frequenters of this thread wears a size 14

Spoiler: The Shoes

For sale is a pair of modified last Aldens. Size 14 C last 539. Condition is pretty close to mint, barring some light scuffs. Would love to see these go to a fellow style farmer. Please DM me if interested!

 

[Quantum17]

Hey guys, sorry for the blatant shilling, but I was told that one of the frequenters of this thread wears a size 14

Spoiler: The Shoes

For sale is a pair of modified last Aldens. Size 14 C last 539. Condition is pretty close to mint, barring some light scuffs. Would love to see these go to a fellow style farmer. Please DM me if interested! View attachment 1594917 View attachment 1594919 View attachment 1594920 View attachment 1594921 View attachment 1594918 View attachment 1594922

Damn, I already passed my growth spurt; otherwise, I’d picked these up. Size 14 is quite unusual for vintage!

 

[Raimar]

First Bostonians V-Cleats I have held, not my size but kept because of that. For some reason the brand is on a sticker. Also some nice catch and release Footjoys.

 

[friendlygoz]

93605s for a Florsheim Friday.
Have a good one, gentlemen!

View attachment 1594884

The color on those is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Oshare]

The Florsheim Yumas arrived. This is how they looked right out of the box.

They are in pretty good shape. The uppers aren't as dry as I expected (good!) and they have now had their first drink of Bick 4 inside and out, a bit of a rub with a deer bone, plus some brushing. I'll do that a few more times before I try them on for fit.

 

[happypebble]

Vintage, deadstock Musebeck Casuals by Foot-So-Port. Look at that chunky Vibram Gumlite sole. These are seriously heavy; I think they might make for good work shoes. Size: 12.5 EE.

 

[CWOyaji]

Prince Philip probably wore the John Lobb Version of these Church's Chetwynds at some point during his 99 year life.

They're the only survivor from a baker's dozen size estate lot of vintage, mostly Florsheim dress shoes in 14C.

I wear 13 D but with a pad under the tongue they fit great. And for $9 at a St. Vinny's I wasn't leaving them behind.

Even if HRH didn't actually wear them, that other dashing English icon definitely did.

Spoiler: For thread newcomers

From Goldeneye, the best of the Bond movies in my opinion. He wears the same six eyelet model I have during the racing scene in the hills above Monaco. Still working on the Aston Martin.

 

[stook1]

Alright guys, need a helping hand on a shell restoration issue. It happened to me again! Ok, not exactly, but a while ago I mentioned that I had been working on a pair of shell aldens that I tried to condition and sand as part of the restoration and that I had ended up with this weird matte portion of the shell. For that pair, I came to the conclusion that I over conditioned and they are now sitting waiting for more attention... or just time.

Well... I just e-thrifted a pair of AEs and there is a panel that has a similar issue but a different cause (I think). However, this time I have no idea what the history of the shoe is other than what I have done so far, which isn't that extensive. They looked very similar to the below when I got them. They really do not seem to be overconditioned. I gave the shoes a quick scrub with saddle soap and a wet microfiber. Then I did a coat of a neatsfoot + VSC blend (which, by the way, seems to be a good idea since it makes it much easier to modulate the neatsfoot). I then let them dry for a bit and gave them a brushing with a pig bristle brush. Both shoes look much better at this point except for this one section.

Lotta pics, sorry... just trying to figure out what's up here. I realize they are still a little messy. It really does not feel like buildup of polish or wax or conditioner to me and I got barely any color off at all while cleaning. I don't have the impression that the they have been polished much really.

Thoughts?

 

[CWOyaji]

I’ve gotten good results wet sanding gritty shell like that with Bick 4 and these. Sugggest starting with the fine like this, or a 3500. If you search my posts there are some before and after pictures of 93606s IIRC.

This post: https://www.styleforum.net/threads/...nance-and-advice.526196/page-766#post-9483113