Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[davidVC]

Maiden voyage for my true vintage John Mchales. These are serious gunboats and are heavy, as they pounded in 2 rows of nails in the heel.

The last 2 owners really cared for the shoes as there are no rips, tears or even serious creasing.

Nevertheless, I put on several generous rounds of Bick 4. And then many many rounds of cherry colour paste from Saphir (blue label). Cherry was their iconic colour for this LWB.

Unfortunately a lot of the colour transferred to the welt area so I need to clean it further. Likely need a toothbrush at this point.

The shoes run long but remain comfortable. The soles are definitely stiff. These beauties date from the 1950s. So prior to my late father's arrival in the western hemisphere.

It's been LWB week for me. Nice to end it with a Canadian legend.

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You are the shoe king of Canada today.

What's it like to walk in your pair? I love my pair. But they have no traction.

You have inspired me. I am going wear my pair as well.

 

[eTrojan]

I have two pair of Nettletons, both alligator. Loafers and Saddle Oxfords. They are both AA-width, but fit wider.

So now I see a AAA-width Nettleton and wonder if the dress shoe styles are equally as generous as the more casual shoes. These would certainly be candidates for a water soak and heat gun. But I probably don't need another pair of shoes. Much less, black, which I wear less of these days. But $20?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nettleton-Black-Lace-Up-Dress-Shoes-13-AAA-Fantastic-Shoes/283007505984?

 

[suitforcourt]

I have two pair of Nettletons, both alligator. Loafers and Saddle Oxfords. They are both AA-width, but fit wider.

So now I see a AAA-width Nettleton and wonder if the dress shoe styles are equally as generous as the more casual shoes. These would certainly be candidates for a water soak and heat gun. But I probably don't need another pair of shoes. Much less, black, which I wear less of these days. But $20?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nettleton-Black-Lace-Up-Dress-Shoes-13-AAA-Fantastic-Shoes/283007505984?

Buy them anyways!

 

[suitforcourt]

You are the shoe king of Canada today.

What's it like to walk in your pair? I love my pair. But they have no traction.

You have inspired me. I am going wear my pair as well.

Shoe king is a fantastic title. I like it.

I find these are fairly stiff. They are size 9.5E, and not my proper size. So one of my toes rubs a little on interior bed as they run long. I find that the US made Florsheims are more comfortable, but again, I attribute any issues with the sizing as opposed to the shoe.

They are not as slippery as v-cleat, but you're right, not a lot of traction.

I think I have achieved everything I want in life. I have inspired the legendary @davidVC . That's it, nothing else to do or see!

PS. Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[right_hook]

Someone mentioned pebble grain shoes. I'm a big fan of such leather.
I want to share one pair with you.
Hoggs of Fife bench-made goodyear welted shoes. Very interesting example of classic British country footwear.

 

[suitforcourt]

Someone mentioned pebble grain shoes. I'm a big fan of such leather.
I want to share one pair with you.
Hoggs of Fife bench-made goodyear welted shoes. Very interesting example of classic British country footwear.

I love pebbled grain PTB. This is a fine example.

 

[suitforcourt]

Those are beautiful! I have been looking for a pair for myself since seeing them on vcleat, but have never found any in my size.

They seem to run big... It's hard to find them.

 

[Medicfourlife]

They seem to run big... It's hard to find them.

Asked a seller on eBay about the length/width of a pair he had listed to see if they would fit. He sent dimensions, then raised the price by $30 and declined an offer for the price they were listed at this morning. whatever dude.

 

[davidVC]

Shoe king is a fantastic title. I like it.

I find these are fairly stiff. They are size 9.5E, and not my proper size. So one of my toes rubs a little on interior bed as they run long. I find that the US made Florsheims are more comfortable, but again, I attribute any issues with the sizing as opposed to the shoe.

They are not as slippery as v-cleat, but you're right, not a lot of traction.

I think I have achieved everything I want in life. I have inspired the legendary @davidVC . That's it, nothing else to do or see!

PS. Pics or it didn't happen.

Proof!!!

 

[suitforcourt]

Proof!!!

View attachment 993511

Fine.

How do you find the fit? Did you buy a pair in your size?

 

[suitforcourt]

Proof!!!

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And what colour shoe cream/polish do you use?

I just have Saphir blue label cherry. Couldn't find anything in Collonil 1909's collection, and Moneysworth's "red" seemed too dark.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Proof!!!

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Wow! Just the welt rolling and outsole stitch alone is freaking great on those. Beautiful.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Maiden voyage for my true vintage John Mchales. These are serious gunboats and are heavy, as they pounded in 2 rows of nails in the heel.

The last 2 owners really cared for the shoes as there are no rips, tears or even serious creasing.

Nevertheless, I put on several generous rounds of Bick 4. And then many many rounds of cherry colour paste from Saphir (blue label). Cherry was their iconic colour for this LWB.

Unfortunately a lot of the colour transferred to the welt area so I need to clean it further. Likely need a toothbrush at this point.

The shoes run long but remain comfortable. The soles are definitely stiff. These beauties date from the 1950s. So prior to my late father's arrival in the western hemisphere.

It's been LWB week for me. Nice to end it with a Canadian legend.

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Sadly, I doubt I'll ever own these in my size, because giant-clown-foot-itis is a late 20th/early 21st century affliction. But I'm glad examples of these shoes still exist and somebody wears them.

 

[eTrojan]

Crosby Square Airfilms today. Second time out in the wild. Ever. The trouble with NOS is that you actually have to break them in. They’re a little more comfortable today, but I also haven’t had to walk much.

The wrinkling in the vamp seems to indicate lower quality CG. And they are very slender (look at the lace gap).

 

[wasmisterfu]

Crosby Square Airfilms today. Second time out in the wild. Ever. The trouble with NOS is that you actually have to break them in. They’re a little more comfortable today, but I also haven’t had to walk much.

The wrinkling in the vamp seems to indicate lower quality CG. And they are very slender (look at the lace gap).

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They're reasonable quality CG. On a plain toe, you're going to notice creasing more. That said, those are really cool looking; (in my mind) very 60's retro-future.