Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[suitforcourt]

I decided to try my hand at making a "Golden Harvest" inspired longwing. Here is the progress thus far:
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I saw some Angelus acrylic leather paint in "mustard" while at a craft store, so I decided to do an experiment with it. I'm curious to find out how well an acrylic finish will hold up over time.

For this experiment I used a pair of Dexter for Sibley's of Detroit that I picked up for $5. I stripped them with acetone, which removed what seemed like an acrylic top coat. (It seems I forgot to take a picture of this part, but I can do that with the 2nd shoe.) I then applied 4 coats of the Angelus with a sponge brush, with between 10 minutes and an hour between coats.

I let that set for a bit more than 24 hours and applied Angelus acrylic finisher (a protective top layer) and let that sit for another 24 hours or so. I finished by tinting the mustard color down a bit with some Meltonian light brown shoe cream.

So far, I like the way it came out. The acrylic top coat was easy to work with, and it is far less "plastic-y" than I imagined it might be. It actually seems more pliable and leather like than the original finish on the shoes.

My plan is to finish the other shoe throughout this week, then start putting the shoes to use. Again, I am curious to see how well the acrylic paint holds up over time.

If it cracks or flakes away, I'll just strip everything and dye the shoes navy. If it ends up working well, then that opens up the door for other fun projects, like making spectators!

Sir, this is styleforum. Thirst traps are for instagram.

In all seriousness, they look great. Thanks for sharing.

 

[sam67]

1954 era Nunn Bush. Gotta work those spectators in the summer, gents. I notice that the stain on left shoe is actually fading. These stay in the closet a fair amount just due to the rotation. Could the exposure to renovateur spray decrease the stain over time? That’s my current theory.

 

[memoriastoica]

1954 era Nunn Bush. Gotta work those spectators in the summer, gents. I notice that the stain on left shoe is actually fading. These stay in the closet a fair amount just due to the rotation. Could the exposure to renovateur spray decrease the stain over time? That’s my current theory.
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Those are fantastic!!

 

[suitforcourt]

1954 era Nunn Bush. Gotta work those spectators in the summer, gents. I notice that the stain on left shoe is actually fading. These stay in the closet a fair amount just due to the rotation. Could the exposure to renovateur spray decrease the stain over time? That’s my current theory.
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Absolutely handsome especially matched with those pants.

 

[JFWR]

1954 era Nunn Bush. Gotta work those spectators in the summer, gents. I notice that the stain on left shoe is actually fading. These stay in the closet a fair amount just due to the rotation. Could the exposure to renovateur spray decrease the stain over time? That’s my current theory.
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Spectators are so amazing. Vintage spectators even moreso.

 

[pasadena man]

1954 era Nunn Bush. Gotta work those spectators in the summer, gents. I notice that the stain on left shoe is actually fading. These stay in the closet a fair amount just due to the rotation. Could the exposure to renovateur spray decrease the stain over time? That’s my current theory.
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The greatest appearance of spectators in films ever, IMO. The opening sequence of Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. It foreshadows both major themes of the film and Bruno's personality in a very lapidary, visual, fashion.

 

[smfdoc]

Spectators are hard to find on the silver screen, but they did play a part in the 2016 dance scenes in La La Land. Dual specaotors! I reserve comment on the singing and movie in general, but I enjoyed the shoes.

 

[sam67]

The greatest appearance of spectators in films ever, IMO. The opening sequence of Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. It foreshadows both major themes of the film and Bruno's personality in a very lapidary, visual, fashion.

👍 I'm still looking for a cap toe spectator, 10.5D/11.5C, by the way.

 

[k3nnyw]

I’m not sure of the year of these AE shoes but I hope someone could tell me from their soles. I emailed an AE representative and they told me these were Hampstead dark brown burnish. First quad stitched blucher I have come across. Was it worth 70$? Anyways this is my first post on SF I hope to have a good time here 😊

 

[sam67]

Here is the same shoe 49 weeks apart. I conclude that my eyes are worse not that fading is better. Oh well.

 

[Oshare]

I’m not sure of the year of these AE shoes but I hope someone could tell me from their soles. I emailed an AE representative and they told me these were Hampstead dark brown burnish. First quad stitched blucher I have come across. Was it worth 70$? Anyways this is my first post on SF I hope to have a good time here 😊
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Nice find and welcome to the thread!

That is indeed the Hampstead. I have it in black.

 

[smfdoc]

I’m not sure of the year of these AE shoes but I hope someone could tell me from their soles. I emailed an AE representative and they told me these were Hampstead dark brown burnish. First quad stitched blucher I have come across. Was it worth 70$? Anyways this is my first post on SF I hope to have a good time here 😊
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Welcome to the thread. If you like them and they fit they are worth $70 to me. There is a nice video that provides a good deal of information on dating AE shoes.

 

[smfdoc]

Converting vintage shoe lasts into a coat rack.

 

[CWOyaji]

I haven't been buying shoes for myself lately, but while we were discussing the black shell Aldens the other day I had a look on Ebay and these Florsheim PTBs were just too tempting. Vcleat says this says the 92650 is a rare model and the auction was about to end with no bids showing, so why not. Only one other bidder showed up in the end, so $71 took it. This is right out the box and they are in great condition, no overhaul needed.

I don't gamble, but the feeling of being the only bidder at the end of an auction for shell gives a bit of an adrenaline rush, so I can understand how some people might really get in trouble with slots or whatever. These are code CF, so either 1985 or 1995 vintage.

My black shell AE Leeds are about the same as these shoes, but I like shell PTBs. And these have solid original soles that somebody already did the heel replacement on, so they're good to go.

 

[smfdoc]

I haven't been buying shoes for myself lately, but while we were discussing the black shell Aldens the other day I had a look on Ebay and these Florsheim PTBs were just too tempting. Vcleat says this says the 92650 is a rare model and the auction was about to end with no bids showing, so why not. Only one other bidder showed up in the end, so $71 took it. This is right out the box and they are in great condition, no overhaul needed.
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I don't gamble, but the feeling of being the only bidder at the end of an auction for shell gives a bit of an adrenaline rush, so I can understand how some people might really get in trouble with slots or whatever. These are code CF, so either 1985 or 1995 vintage.
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I have some black shell AE Leeds PTBs that are about the same as these shoes, but I like shell PTBs. And these have solid original soles and somebody already did the heel replacement, so they're good to go.
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Super pickup. Yet another shoe I would love but not made in my width.