Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[friendlygoz]

Kieth Highlanders today. Odd name for a shoe. Sounds like the name of a guy anyone of us went to high school with or an intergalactic explorer. At any rate, I really like these.

 

[friendlygoz]

Speaking of KH… 12D bros. Some nice shell KHs here. NML…
https://merc.li/cwH4HsKZb
https://merc.li/cwH4HsKZb

 

[wasmisterfu]

I don't have rich clients, so I've actually never been to a black tie event. If I do go, I guess I'll have to wear one of my black captoes.

The only time I've worn a tux was for my wedding.

Come to NYC, I'll sucker you into one of these events. You can wear captoes, but no brogues - you wouldn't want to look like one of those bloody Windsor (aka Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) cads.

(Oh yeah, I went there.)

 

[happypebble]

Come to NYC, I'll sucker you into one of these events. You can wear captoes, but no brogues - you wouldn't want to look like one of those bloody Windsor (aka Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) cads.

(Oh yeah, I went there.)

Oh, you mean those Germans masquerading as English! *cough*

 

[Oshare]

I get that. I’ve been there. I usually try to imagine how bad I’d feel if I didn’t get them. More often than not, the answer is “not that bad at all.” If I have pairs that don’t speak to me I don’t want to wear them that much but I feel like I have to because, well, I paid money for them. But when I wear them I’m not wearing one of 25 others pairs I love. I don’t have an answer, just a mesh through which you might strain your thinking. Good luck.

This is a good point, and something to always keep in mind.

I am not wanting for shoes and have many pairs that I truly enjoy wearing. So anything "meh" is detracting from chances to wear the great pairs.

Anyway, the seller took down the listing early, so I guess he sold them elsewhere. No worries. No loss for me

 

[Oshare]

Boom!

Absolutely stunning pair. Unfortunately spousal customs intercepted and immediately exclaimed that this is the upteenth pair of the -same- type of shoe I already have -- completely missing my pleas as to how unique this pair is.

They are 2 widths too narrow for me, and sure enough I cannot even get my feet into them. Rather than forcing it, I will pick up a can of shoe stretcher spray (I don't want to take a chance on home remedies with this pair) and see if I can stretch them enough to be wearable. ?

 

[wasmisterfu]

Oh, you mean those Germans masquerading as English! *cough*

I don’t mind that they’re a bunch of krauts, it’s just that their behavior is so bloody common.

(Oh yeah, I’m dropping bombs over here.)

 

[friendlygoz]

Boom!

View attachment 1630008

View attachment 1630009

Absolutely stunning pair. Unfortunately spousal customs intercepted and immediately exclaimed that this is the upteenth pair of the -same- type of shoe I already have -- completely missing my pleas as to how unique this pair is.

They are 2 widths too narrow for me, and sure enough I cannot even get my feet into them. Rather than forcing it, I will pick up a can of shoe stretcher spray (I don't want to take a chance on home remedies with this pair) and see if I can stretch them enough to be wearable. ?

Those are amazing. Wow I hope they work out.

 

[stook1]

Boom!

View attachment 1630008

View attachment 1630009

Absolutely stunning pair. Unfortunately spousal customs intercepted and immediately exclaimed that this is the upteenth pair of the -same- type of shoe I already have -- completely missing my pleas as to how unique this pair is.

They are 2 widths too narrow for me, and sure enough I cannot even get my feet into them. Rather than forcing it, I will pick up a can of shoe stretcher spray (I don't want to take a chance on home remedies with this pair) and see if I can stretch them enough to be wearable. ?

Even better than the listing photos! Absolutely love those. Sure hope you can get give them enough of a stretch. I have only minimal experience stretching shell but on brand new shell I have had some luck with using neatsfoot oil to soften up the leather a little (not too much!!) then using slightly oversized shoe trees for a LONG time. Your pair may be soft enough that the neatsfoot is unnecessary. Consult @CWOyaji since he seems to be old hat with this initiative. I'm not crazy about stretching shoes of any kind just because I prefer the fit to be good from the get go. Good luck!!

 

[Vincent George]

93602. Just landed from the bay. Not bad. Paid $100. Will replace heel toplift and enjoy for a while before a full resole. 1988 I think. Nail density on heel seems too spaced for 78…

 

[smfdoc]

93602. Just landed from the bay. Not bad. Paid $100. Will replace heel toplift and enjoy for a while before a full resole. 1988 I think. Nail density on heel seems too spaced for 78…

View attachment 1630193 View attachment 1630194 View attachment 1630196

Those are a beautiful pair. I, personally, would not be in an excessive hurry to change the soles and heels. But that is just me.

 

[Vincent George]

Those are a beautiful pair. I, personally, would not be in an excessive hurry to change the soles and heels. But that is just me.

I’m too clumsy to walk on the suicide heels

What’s funny is the “9.99” in faded marker on the sole. Someone got a thrift deal!

 

[CWOyaji]

Even better than the listing photos! Absolutely love those. Sure hope you can get give them enough of a stretch. I have only minimal experience stretching shell but on brand new shell I have had some luck with using neatsfoot oil to soften up the leather a little (not too much!!) then using slightly oversized shoe trees for a LONG time. Your pair may be soft enough that the neatsfoot is unnecessary. Consult @CWOyaji since he seems to be old hat with this initiative. I'm not crazy about stretching shoes of any kind just because I prefer the fit to be good from the get go. Good luck!!

I think the most important factor in widening shell is the suppleness of the material, which appears to be very good in this pair. @Oshare here's hoping for a successful result!
[EDIT] Here's that pair of B to D 97626s that I thrifted and had resoled with JR after making sure the fit was right. Three years later and going strong.

 

[suitforcourt]

93602. Just landed from the bay. Not bad. Paid $100. Will replace heel toplift and enjoy for a while before a full resole. 1988 I think. Nail density on heel seems too spaced for 78…

View attachment 1630193 View attachment 1630194 View attachment 1630196

If you're getting new top lifts, might as well get sole protectors and toe taps too. You'll get many years of wear with those small additions.

 

[sam67]

Recently stretched the right shoe on these 92604s from a C to D. Been wearing them all day. Great shoe. Now I can hunt for more C widths. Muah ha ha.