Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

You will still be regretting passing on those other pairs when you are old and in the nursing home.

Oh, I am well aware how long and deep the regret will go. My only hope is that my memory will have faded by that point.

 

[DapperAndy]

Glad to see you here, Andy ?

Thank you! Good shoes & good vibes always brings me back ?

 

[dougc33]

Black shell AE Leeds arrived today (black insole leeds (see what I did there) me to believe they are from the late 2000s). These are my first pair of black shell. They are in superb condition. I may put grommets in them and covert the edges to natural. I’m also trying some sun fading to see if I can bring out the brown and green undertones. That part of the tinkering may be in vain, but we shall see. View attachment 1644742 View attachment 1644743 View attachment 1644744

Sorry for dredging up an old post - but is the "green undertones" really a thing? I picked up a pair of 9501 Leeds identical to the above and the right shoe has green undertones but the left one doesn't. Was thinking I should try to somehow polish out the right one but know enough (even though a newbie) not to actually do anything other than brush the shell.

Is this simply a matter of taste or is the green undertones something to be encouraged?

 

[sam67]

This might be silly but thought I’d ask. I picked up these Florsheim 93605 , 10 B ,thinking I would flip them. I noticed that the stitching was really close to the shoe. I took it by Wyatt and Dad in Charlotte and Lance tells me he can rebuild for $264 with JR soles. I see no damage to shell just fading. The left shoe has been cleaned with Renomat and renovateur applied. Nothing to right.
If you want these for $20 plus shipping, sans trees, PM me.

 

[VintageZealot]

I recently got a minor scuff on a pair of brown shoes. I've never done a scuff repair before but I would like to learn, I don't think it's worth taking to a cobbler for something as minor as this.

What products and process should I use to get rid of this scuff? I see things such as Bick 4, Saphir products, saddle soap etc mentioned often here and I'm not sure which is the right one for this case. Bick 4 seems to be for moisturizing and the saddle soap is for cleaning so neither of those are likely what I need for this job. Some Saphir product or equivalent is is probably what I need but I'm not sure which one.

Also on the topic of shoe maintenance, what is the best way to clean the bottoms of shoe soles and heels?

 

[suitforcourt]

I recently got a minor scuff on a pair of brown shoes. I've never done a scuff repair before but I would like to learn, I don't think it's worth taking to a cobbler for something as minor as this.

What products and process should I use to get rid of this scuff? I see things such as Bick 4, Saphir products, saddle soap etc mentioned often here and I'm not sure which is the right one for this case. Bick 4 seems to be for moisturizing and the saddle soap is for cleaning so neither of those are likely what I need for this job. Some Saphir product or equivalent is is probably what I need but I'm not sure which one.

Also on the topic of shoe maintenance, what is the best way to clean the bottoms of shoe soles and heels?

Post pics.

 

[VintageZealot]

Post pics.

Here are some pictures of the mark, it's fairly small and faint.

 

[Jiqea]

Here is a crazy nice pair of 1950/60 Florsheim boots. Not my listing nor my size. Pricey but lovely.

Vintage 60s / 70s suede nubuck rugged heritage roper boots sz. 6 / 8 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage 60s / 70s suede nubuck rugged heritage roper boots sz. 6 / 8 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

 

[eTrojan]

1960’s era Florsheim wholecut loafers. Very similar to an opera pump, but I wear them with my “skinny” suits instead of my tux. With all of the steel in the heel, they make a helluva noise coming down the hallway.

 

[friendlygoz]

Sorry for dredging up an old post - but is the "green undertones" really a thing? I picked up a pair of 9501 Leeds identical to the above and the right shoe has green undertones but the left one doesn't. Was thinking I should try to somehow polish out the right one but know enough (even though a newbie) not to actually do anything other than brush the shell.

Is this simply a matter of taste or is the green undertones something to be encouraged?

I don’t know. I think it looks kind of cool. I’m not sure how much of a thing it is, but it does make them more interesting. By the way, the fit on these is terrible. If anyone is interested let me know. I will sell them at cost.

 

[friendlygoz]

Modded 93602s today.

 

[CWOyaji]

The Lobbs from yesterday. These cleaned up really easily.

There is zero information on this model on the web. Maybe there is a forum on SF about these?

 

[suitforcourt]

Here are some pictures of the mark, it's fairly small and faint.
View attachment 1688562
View attachment 1688563

I think shoe polish should do it. Maybe light sanding as well.

 

[CWOyaji]

I think shoe polish should do it. Maybe light sanding as well.

Like with a 400 grit or finer, maybe a 600. I used 320 on the pair above but the scratches were a lot deeper.

 

[JFWR]

The Lobbs from yesterday. These cleaned up really easily. View attachment 1688669 View attachment 1688671
There is zero information on this model on the web. Maybe there is a forum on SF about these?
View attachment 1688670 View attachment 1688672

God damn, John Lobbs for a song S++ rank find.