Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

Florsheim shell rebuilt. New gemming, welts, JR soles, toe taps, grommets, and Vibram heels. Wore them out for my daily walk and to pick up car. New brake pads and AC needed fine tuning. I wish my car gave me same joy as my shoes.

 

[suitforcourt]

UPDATE: I have a volunteer who has been briefed. If captured the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of the mission.

I re-watched Rambo 3 recently. I can totally hear John getting upset about this point.

 

[VintageZealot]

Here's my latest acquisition, a pair of 1950s Freeman loafers!

I don't have very many pairs of loafers and the few I have don't fit very well, so I became determined to find a pair that did fit well. The day after I started my loafer search this pair was listed in my exact size, in the style I wanted, and in a dark shade of brown I don't already have. Talk about meant to be! Even more surprising is that they arrived in their original box which I wasn't expecting at all and certainly caught me off guard, but it was a pleasant surprise.

I found the "wonderful feeling Freeman shoes for men" logo in advertisements from the 1950s so I suspect that is when they are from. Finding these certainly was a wonderful feeling.

Unfortunately they are a bit dry and stiff so they will need conditioning and moisturizing before I can wear them.





In place of the regular Freeman logo in one shoe is the name of a store called "Sholem's" where they were sold.


Aside from coming with the box, they also came with these old looking shoe trees. The trees are a perfect fit inside so I suspect they are original as well.

 

[Hotel Cali]

These just arrived.

These saddle seems to be more pointy than others.

Trying out a summer look. Does balmoral saddles with tshirt too incongruous?

 

[ojaw]

These just arrived.

These saddle seems to be more pointy than others.

Trying out a summer look. Does balmoral saddles with tshirt too incongruous?



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Throw a white sport coat on that : )

 

[Cause Moe]

Throw a white sport coat on that : )

and a pink crustacean.

 

[isshinryu101]

Wore my Florsheim Beacons from 1966 today. View attachment 1792700 View attachment 1792701

Those are really great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[isshinryu101]

Vintage Florsheim late 1940’s to early 1950’s.

 

[friendlygoz]

AE Clayton in 🦎 skin for tassel Tuesday.

 

[isshinryu101]

A

 

[isshinryu101]

AE Clayton in 🦎 skin for tassel Tuesday. View attachment 1793123 View attachment 1793124

I handled a ton of these lizard tassel loafers. Just a really nicely made and styled lounge shoe. Plus, everyone notices!

 

[friendlygoz]

I handled a ton of these lizard tassel loafers. Just a really nicely made and styled lounge shoe. Plus, everyone notices!

Agreed. They are quite versatile and these are actually not that “loud.”

 

[happypebble]

Agreed. They are quite versatile and these are actually not that “loud.”

I'm not usually a big fan of exotics, but that pair looks really good, a pair I would consider for myself. Rock those out on the street.

 

[suitforcourt]

No frills tier 2 Dexters. I love the fit and comfort. A cobbler added sole protectors making these the ultimate rain shoes.

#wingtipwednesday

 

[Nobleprofessor]

These are a really interesting and rare pair. According to V-Cleat prior to 1957 (or so) style numbers started with S or F and a 4 digit number. That is what these have. The LH code would indicate 1957. I have also heard that the S can also refer to Special Order. These have the dark black lettering. So, if the S indicates Special Order then they are likely 1967. Either way, as a Split Toe they are quite rare. I wish I could find these also in brown, burgundy, or the extra “Unicorn” version in Golden Harvest.