Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Shrewboy]

I have 3 pairs of Florsheim LWBs that I am converting to leather wedge soles for comfort. Mostly WFH means comfort is paramount.

View attachment 1713331 View attachment 1713332 View attachment 1713333

These are pairs by Bedos.

Oh my goodness, I really like those!! I was looking at a pair of LB Sheppards the other day that are basically duplicates of another pair I have. Hard to justify until I saw this. One pair with original leather soles and the other with wedge soles for walking? ?

 

[MathMan314]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the thread a couple of days ago! My shoe appreciation contribution for today is a pair of made in USA Sears "Easy Flex" longwings. Does anyone here have an idea about the dating/maker information for these?

This pair seems to be Goodyear welted and has a leather outsole, but has a synthetic midsole and a leather-topped synthetic (cushioned) insole.

These were the first vintage longwings in my collection, and are still one of my favorite shoe purchases. They seemed to have only been worn 1-2 times when I got them for $12 (plus $7.50 shipping) on Poshmark. They fit great, are very comfortable, and are holding up extremely well after a year or so of weekly use.

(That number on the far right is a 19; the 9 cut off a little)

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Ok. I blame the enablers @friendlygoz @Nealjpage and @mormonopoly The 11B Florsheim MTO NST came in. I wasn’t sure if they would fit. I usually wear about an 11C or 10.5D. But, these slipped on no problem.

I haven’t cleaned them up yet.

 

[BlueMoonMonday]

I was wondering.... I have a pair of 92606's in black and with the texture they seem, well, a bit TOO SHINY. Any suggestions on how to have a good coating of wax but take down the sheen so it looks less waxy? Would a shoe cream be better?

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the thread a couple of days ago! My shoe appreciation contribution for today is a pair of made in USA Sears "Easy Flex" longwings. Does anyone here have an idea about the dating/maker information for these?

This pair seems to be Goodyear welted and has a leather outsole, but has a synthetic midsole and a leather-topped synthetic (cushioned) insole.

These were the first vintage longwings in my collection, and are still one of my favorite shoe purchases. They seemed to have only been worn 1-2 times when I got them for $12 (plus $7.50 shipping) on Poshmark. They fit great, are very comfortable, and are holding up extremely well after a year or so of weekly use.
View attachment 1713714
View attachment 1713715 View attachment 1713716
(That number on the far right is a 19; the 9 cut off a little)
View attachment 1713717

I THINK Sears had a few different companies make shoes for them at various times. I know Hanover made some for JCPenney. Maybe it was Dexter that manufactured for Sears. Most of them made back in 70’s and early 80’s are decent quality. Heavy duty materials and decent quality workmanship. Made better than any of the department store brands made now.

 

[suitforcourt]

Oh my goodness, I really like those!! I was looking at a pair of LB Sheppards the other day that are basically duplicates of another pair I have. Hard to justify until I saw this. One pair with original leather soles and the other with wedge soles for walking? ?

DO IT

 

[happypebble]

Congrats @MathMan314 and welcome to the thread. Those Sears shoes look great. Below is my similar pair: they are well built, sturdy and comfortable, so you should get some good use out of yours. Pumpkin the Ragdoll cat approves.

 

[MathMan314]

Congrats @MathMan314 and welcome to the thread. Those Sears shoes look great. Below is my similar pair: they are well built, sturdy and comfortable, so you should get some good use out of yours. Pumpkin the Ragdoll cat approves. View attachment 1713891 View attachment 1713892

Thank you @happypebble! Pumpkin's approval makes these shoes even better, in my eyes.

 

[suitforcourt]

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the thread a couple of days ago! My shoe appreciation contribution for today is a pair of made in USA Sears "Easy Flex" longwings. Does anyone here have an idea about the dating/maker information for these?

This pair seems to be Goodyear welted and has a leather outsole, but has a synthetic midsole and a leather-topped synthetic (cushioned) insole.

These were the first vintage longwings in my collection, and are still one of my favorite shoe purchases. They seemed to have only been worn 1-2 times when I got them for $12 (plus $7.50 shipping) on Poshmark. They fit great, are very comfortable, and are holding up extremely well after a year or so of weekly use.
View attachment 1713714
View attachment 1713715 View attachment 1713716
(That number on the far right is a 19; the 9 cut off a little)
View attachment 1713717

My guess is that Jarman made these. I love the colour tones on this pair. Enjoy them in good health. And keep building your collection.

 

[friendlygoz]

Vintage violation: AE brown shell Dundee.

 

[friendlygoz]

Ok. I blame the enablers @friendlygoz @Nealjpage and @mormonopoly The 11B Florsheim MTO NST came in. I wasn’t sure if they would fit. I usually wear about an 11C or 10.5D. But, these slipped on no problem.

I haven’t cleaned them up yet. View attachment 1713778 View attachment 1713779

I'm proud to have had an influence on this purchase. Those are great!

 

[Nealjpage]

Ok. I blame the enablers @friendlygoz @Nealjpage and @mormonopoly The 11B Florsheim MTO NST came in. I wasn’t sure if they would fit. I usually wear about an 11C or 10.5D. But, these slipped on no problem.

I haven’t cleaned them up yet. View attachment 1713778 View attachment 1713779

Glad to have been of service.

 

[sam67]

Late 1970s AE Tulane. Happy Friday!

 

[suitforcourt]

Judgement day for a trial where I think it's a 50/50 draw. The prosecutor, who is also a shoe guy, thinks it's an acquittal. We shall see.

Dacks in black captoe are appropriate for such a serious Friday.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Here is an unusual pair of Vintage Florsheim. They are old enough that they were still made in the USA. They are not of the same quality as my other vintage Florsheim. Not every pair can be a GRAIL pair. They are fun and I have never seen another pair. They have a vibram sole so they will be good in bad weather or for traveling. I’m considering dyeing the brown red and making my version of the AE Christmas shoes.