Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Quantum17]

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there, and to also to unaware dads.

Presenting a new addition to my hiding family, separated from sunlight and from my legit family. Big shout out to @vestbash who quickly ascend to my spouse’s top hit list. You are my partner in crime now. With no need of further introduction, I encourage you to check his eBay shop at shoeslikeclockwork. Plenty of gems to be found. It’s business out front and party at back. Wonderful gentleman to work with.

 

[smfdoc]

A pre-father's day get together, combined with a grandson's birthday party, are occasions for vintage footwear. Easy to reach for my current favorites in that department.

 

[friendlygoz]

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there, and to also to unaware dads.

Presenting a new addition to my hiding family, separated from sunlight and from my legit family. Big shout out to @vestbash who quickly ascend to my spouse’s top hit list. You are my partner in crime now. With no need of further introduction, I encourage you to check his eBay shop at shoeslikeclockwork. Plenty of gems to be found. It’s business out front and party at back. Wonderful gentleman to work with. View attachment 1627307 View attachment 1627308 View attachment 1627310 View attachment 1627311

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound? Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there, and to also to unaware dads.

Presenting a new addition to my hiding family, separated from sunlight and from my legit family. Big shout out to @vestbash who quickly ascend to my spouse’s top hit list. You are my partner in crime now. With no need of further introduction, I encourage you to check his eBay shop at shoeslikeclockwork. Plenty of gems to be found. It’s business out front and party at back. Wonderful gentleman to work with. View attachment 1627307 View attachment 1627308 View attachment 1627310 View attachment 1627311

Amazing that you have the brown and black pair. Wow. @vestbash is a vintage-shoe-addiction enabler of the finest sort. He's a great guy, fair, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable.

 

[sam67]

Non shoe Vintage leather question - should I put Bicks on the rough side of these straps as well as the finished side? (So I won this accordion in an auction.....) (that is a Florsheim varsity in the pic so maybe I’m covered)
Thanks for your help.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Non shoe Vintage leather question - should I put Bicks on the rough side of these straps as well as the finished side? (So I won this accordion in an auction.....) (that is a Florsheim varsity in the pic so maybe I’m covered)
Thanks for your help.
View attachment 1627356 View attachment 1627357

First, @smfdoc actually works leather, so he may have better guidance. IMHO, I would go from the grain side, not the split, but then again, that partially depends on how badly dried out they are. If you do both sides, wait a day or so before putting any strain on them.

(“So I won this accordion in an auction...” sounds like the start of a good joke.)

 

[wasmisterfu]

A pre-father's day get together, combined with a grandson's birthday party, are occasions for vintage footwear. Easy to reach for my current favorites in that department.

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While I do not have a pair of those shoes… I do have exactly the same TV in my man cave. Happy birthday to your grandson.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Shell Grayson because tassels loafers are ... take it away, @wasmisterfu! View attachment 1626813 View attachment 1626814

…Best loafer.

No exceptions.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I've never owned a pair but I've checked them out. I think it's considered a 2nd tier vintage shoe. MiUSA & GYW. As with other brands quality is variable with newer ones probably not so great.

That was, back in the day, BA Mason’s top-line shoe, so I don’t think they were 2nd tier. Nowadays Mason Executive Imperials are a mishmash of stuff, including miChina GYW of highly indifferent quality (paperboard insoles and such … @smfdoc, at my request, dissected a pair of the miChina examples - I think he also has the real vintage ones, but don’t quote me on that).

 

[sam67]

First, @smfdoc actually works leather, so he may have better guidance. IMHO, I would go from the grain side, not the split, but then again, that partially depends on how badly dried out they are. If you do both sides, wait a day or so before putting any strain on them.

(“So I won this accordion in an auction...” sounds like the start of a good joke.)

I did the grain side and am waiting. Seems to help the split side too but that may be my imagination.

 

[stook1]

Non shoe Vintage leather question - should I put Bicks on the rough side of these straps as well as the finished side? (So I won this accordion in an auction.....) (that is a Florsheim varsity in the pic so maybe I’m covered)
Thanks for your help.
View attachment 1627356 View attachment 1627357

Yes, condition both sides. Closest analogue that I've dealt with is a thick leather strap on an old military canvas bag. It did great with conditioning both sides.

 

[smfdoc]

First, @smfdoc actually works leather, so he may have better guidance. IMHO, I would go from the grain side, not the split, but then again, that partially depends on how badly dried out they are. If you do both sides, wait a day or so before putting any strain on them.

(“So I won this accordion in an auction...” sounds like the start of a good joke.)

I did the grain side and am waiting. Seems to help the split side too but that may be my imagination.

I agree with @stook1. I would use Bick 4 on both sides. Could not hurt.

 

[eTrojan]

Vintage violation.

Broke out the black shell MacNeils and the black Hugo Boss suit today. We finally held the memorial service for my father, who passed from COVID in February.

We had been waiting for my 13-year-old son to be fully vaccinated before traveling back to the Midwest. The only family members not vaccinated were the 10 great grandchildren under 10 years old. It truly is a miracle of modern science.

 

[friendlygoz]

Vintage violation.

Broke out the black shell MacNeils and the black Hugo Boss suit today. We finally held the memorial service for my father, who passed from COVID in February.

We had been waiting for my 13-year-old son to be fully vaccinated before traveling back to the Midwest. The only family members not vaccinated were the 10 great grandchildren under 10 years old. It truly is a miracle of modern science.

View attachment 1627526

I’m so sorry for your loss. Be well, my brother.

 

[smfdoc]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Be well, my brother.

+1.

 

[Oshare]

Vintage violation.

Broke out the black shell MacNeils and the black Hugo Boss suit today. We finally held the memorial service for my father, who passed from COVID in February.

We had been waiting for my 13-year-old son to be fully vaccinated before traveling back to the Midwest. The only family members not vaccinated were the 10 great grandchildren under 10 years old. It truly is a miracle of modern science.

View attachment 1627526

I'm sorry for your loss.
Take care and please stay safe.