Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Oshare]

Still in the rainy season but I figured the Florsheim by John McHale could handle it.

Despite my growing collection, I only had 3 pairs I could wear in the rain. So I just had some Vibram half soles put on these John McHales to give them more utility.

Happy Friday!

 

[suitforcourt]

Still in the rainy season but I figured the Florsheim by John McHale could handle it.

View attachment 1208970

Despite my growing collection, I only had 3 pairs I could wear in the rain. So I just had some Vibram half soles put on these John McHales to give them more utility.

View attachment 1208971

Happy Friday!

More and more of my shoes are getting the Topy work done. It really does make shoes much more versatile.

 

[hamercha]

Cherry pop. First time wearing Shell. Unamed 50s (?) Shell short wing. Label has been lost.

Alden had model 475 in shell.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Still in the rainy season but I figured the Florsheim by John McHale could handle it.

View attachment 1208970

Despite my growing collection, I only had 3 pairs I could wear in the rain. So I just had some Vibram half soles put on these John McHales to give them more utility.

View attachment 1208971

Happy Friday!

That lacing, I can’t figure out what’s going on there.

 

[Hotel Cali]

Alden had model 475 in shell.

I think in this case 475 is the size 7.5D.

 

[Shoonoob]

I have two pairs of that same model. One that I restored and is now pretty nice, and a second that's currently mid-restoration.

I don't know enough to tell you about era, but that's a solid mid grade shoe.

Runs small, though. One of my pairs is 11 E, the other is 10.5 EE. My usual size is 10.5 D.

Also, the leather is a little thinner than average, so it does tend to hold creases more easily in the older models. But they respond well to a wet reshape.

Generally speaking, I find "Stacy hyphen Adams" is worthwhile, but "Stacy Adams" is garbage.

Those are after Stacy Adams starting going downhill. The really good Stacy Adams shoes have a black cloth label.

Much Appreciated

 

[friendlygoz]

More and more of my shoes are getting the Topy work done. It really does make shoes much more versatile.

I’m neurotic and Topy almost all my shoes. I don’t want to have to pay for a resole if/when they wear out (with 23 pair I would probably wear out the soles on any given pair in the year 2095). Seriously I wear my soles hard for some reason. The Topy also makes the shoes less slippery. I cut down the cost by doing the gluing, cutting and sanding myself. My cobbler sands the sole and cuts the Topy for me. It works out to $10/pair.

 

[Oshare]

That lacing, I can’t figure out what’s going on there.

 

[suitforcourt]

I’m neurotic and Topy almost all my shoes. I don’t want to have to pay for a resole if/when they wear out (with 23 pair I would probably wear out the soles on any given pair in the year 2095). Seriously I wear my soles hard for some reason. The Topy also makes the shoes less slippery. I cut down the cost by doing the gluing, cutting and sanding myself. My cobbler sands the sole and cuts the Topy for me. It works out to $10/pair.

Which Topy brand do you use?

I should try this. I need to buy that press machine after the glue is applied. That way pressure can be kept while glue is drying.

 

[actionjbone]

That lacing, I can’t figure out what’s going on there.

Spider Web Lacing

Tutorial for Spider Web Lacing, in which the shoelaces are woven vertically and diagonally, forming a “web” of shoelace.

www.fieggen.com

 

[wasmisterfu]

I’m neurotic and Topy almost all my shoes. I don’t want to have to pay for a resole if/when they wear out (with 23 pair I would probably wear out the soles on any given pair in the year 2095). Seriously I wear my soles hard for some reason. The Topy also makes the shoes less slippery. I cut down the cost by doing the gluing, cutting and sanding myself. My cobbler sands the sole and cuts the Topy for me. It works out to $10/pair.

Topy’s are a fine solution. Another solution for those of us who wear toes and heels hard is basic cheapo taps, front and rear. I find that, with taps, I get much more even wear, my welts don’t get damaged and my sole and heel longevity is substantially longer.

 

[suitforcourt]

Topy’s are a fine solution. Another solution for those of us who wear toes and heels hard is basic cheapo taps, front and rear. I find that, with taps, I get much more even wear, my welts don’t get damaged and my sole and heel longevity is substantially longer.

I have 2 pairs with metal toe taps. I will see if they "reduce" wear on the toe area.

The plastic ones seem to throw off the balance of the shoe.

 

[aero25]

1995 AE Walton, cognac shell. Even though these are a AA width, there is a ton of room in the forefoot — you can see the buckling in the vamp because there is way more space than I need. This is not a great last for me, but it works well enough.
View attachment 1208856 View attachment 1208858

I get the same thing happening with Alden's Barrie last. Fine for a thrift, but not at full retail.

Size 12C Hanover Shell Cordovan $60+ship. Soles in decent shape.

Hanover LB Sheppard Signature Oxford Shoes US Mens Size 12 C/A Made In USA | eBay

They are marked Made in the USA on the insoles and feature Oxblood Leather uppers and a Goodyear Neolite Sole. They would make a great addition to your wardrobe!

www.ebay.com

Gah! I missed the auction!

 

[stook1]

93602 for a casual friday. Have a great weekend, fellas!

 

[wasmisterfu]

I get the same thing happening with Alden's Barrie last. Fine for a thrift, but not at full retail.

The (now retired) 3 (73/Bancroft) last is similar to the Barrie in that it has a fairly wide forefoot and toebox. My Broadstreet’s are on that last, and I find I have a fair amount of unused volume up front. For folks with very narrow feet, I could see both the 3 and Barrie lasts being challenging.