Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[MathMan314]

Can you provide a link for them?

Oops, I meant to include it in my last post. Here it is.

 

[suitforcourt]

Oops, I meant to include it in my last post. Here it is.

Thanks. This is very interesting to me. I know Jim McFarland runs his own shop:

Shoe Repair - McFarland's Shoe Repair

McFarland's Shoe Repair provides expert shoe and leather repair services to Lakeland, FL and the surrounding area. We also offer mail-order services.

mcfarlandsshoerepair.com

But he is also the lead cobbler for Kirby Allison's inhouse shoe rebuild program. It's clear Jim is also part of this company/website.

I don't know about the other cobblers on the team, so no comment. From all accounts, especially pics, Jim McFarland is one of the best. Also a great guy to deal with. He was one of the judges for the shoe revival competition I organize.

 

[suitforcourt]

That’s good to hear. Definitely if money wasn’t an object I’d love to add a Goodyear welt with leather soles and a stacked leather heel. I imagine that’s a several hundred dollar job though. And I don’t know if I could justify that right now. Maybe for now I can just add new heels. Definitely open to suggestions for cobblers though, I know of some of the popular internet ones like Bedos. I live in AZ if that matters.

If the soles don't have soft spots, I would recommend a rubber sole protector over it. This upgrade will extend the life of the soles a bit more and add some grip.

@friendlygoz has installed his own rubber sole protectors, so perhaps you can chat with him about the options and process.

 

[MathMan314]

Thanks. This is very interesting to me. I know Jim McFarland runs his own shop:

Shoe Repair - McFarland's Shoe Repair

McFarland's Shoe Repair provides expert shoe and leather repair services to Lakeland, FL and the surrounding area. We also offer mail-order services.

mcfarlandsshoerepair.com

But he is also the lead cobbler for Kirby Allison's inhouse shoe rebuild program. It's clear Jim is also part of this company/website.

I don't know about the other cobblers on the team, so no comment. From all accounts, especially pics, Jim McFarland is one of the best. Also a great guy to deal with. He was one of the judges for the shoe revival competition I organize.

It was looking into Jim McFarland's services that led me to this website a while back. The fact that he is involved, at least in some capacity, makes me feel that they will do good work. Jim seems like a great guy who is a master of his craft. I didn't realize he was a judge for the shoe revival competition!

 

[MathMan314]

If the soles don't have soft spots, I would recommend a rubber sole protector over it. This upgrade will extend the life of the soles a bit more and add some grip.

@friendlygoz has installed his own rubber sole protectors, so perhaps you can chat with him about the options and process.

Good idea!
There are a lot of rubber protective half soles on eBay, such as these. Or if you want something thicker you could go with a Goodyear Neolite sole protector.

Here is Part 1 of a 3 part video set that shows how to DIY a sole protector. He has a lot of other videos documenting the process on his Youtube channel as well.

 

[JFWR]

The best cobbler is Minas cobbler in NYC. They take Mail in orders. My family has used them for 20 years.

Minas Shoe Repair

Est. 1970 If you love it we fix it! Located at 63 Wall Street on Hanover, New York, NY 10005. Minas Shoe Repair fixes all types of shoes.

minasshoerepair.com

I've gotten several resoles and toe taps recently from them with great results always.

 

[heathenist]

Good idea!
There are a lot of rubber protective half soles on eBay, such as these. Or if you want something thicker you could go with a Goodyear Neolite sole protector.

Here is Part 1 of a 3 part video set that shows how to DIY a sole protector. He has a lot of other videos documenting the process on his Youtube channel as well.

I was already considering doing this, and I’ve definitely watched those videos before. Really like that guy’s channel. Maybe I’ll give it a shot. The soles are fine for now, it’s the heels that are the problem. I just figured if I was gonna need to have the heels replaced it might make sense to just get an entire resole with something nicer while I’m at it since I’m not in love with the hard man made soles on them now.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[MathMan314]

I was already considering doing this, and I’ve definitely watched those videos before. Really like that guy’s channel. Maybe I’ll give it a shot. The soles are fine for now, it’s the heels that are the problem. I just figured if I was gonna need to have the heels replaced it might make sense to just get an entire resole with something nicer while I’m at it since I’m not in love with the hard man made soles on them now.

Thanks for all the advice!

I see, that makes sense. Here is a thought: if you just opt for new heels this time, then the new heels and the current soles will probably wear out at about the same time, which would be the perfect time for a full resole! But I understand wanting to replace the hard synthetic sole sooner rather than later too.

 

[sam67]

Happy 4th of July.
Aristocraft, beer, grill.

 

[JFWR]

Happy 4th of July.
Aristocraft, beer, grill.
View attachment 1809317

A CROWN aristocraft?

Sounds Tory to me!

Nice shine, though.

 

[sam67]

A CROWN aristocraft?

Sounds Tory to me!

Nice shine, though.

It’s PC. Took no effort

 

[mormonopoly]

Here's a new addition to my collection. These are 1980s Footjoy shell shortwings.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I don’t get to wear these very often. Since the office was closed yesterday, I decided to wear them today! AE 1776 in red, white, and blue.

 

[happypebble]

I don’t get to wear these very often. Since the office was closed yesterday, I decided to wear them today! AE 1776 in red, white, and blue.

View attachment 1809565 View attachment 1809566

So jealous!

 

[Hotel Cali]

Late 60s Florsheim Bourbon Windsor calf today.