Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[friendlygoz]

With that heel and logo, those are much newer than 1971. It must have been a fairly long running model.

I'd say it's from the 1980s based on the heel top and logo. AE from that period are fantastic.

 

[smfdoc]

With that heel and logo, those are much newer than 1971. It must have been a fairly long running model.

You are likely correct. There is a big gap in my catalogs and I only found it in the 1971 edition. Nice old shoe.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I'd say it's from the 1980s based on the heel top and logo. AE from that period are fantastic.

I’m very glad to hear that!

 

[CWOyaji]

Indeed. what a cool wallet. Bring it by and you can borrow some of my reptan if you don't want to buy your own tin..

It’s actually a good-sized women’s purse. I’m thinking about whether to sell it or salvage the gator skin for another accessory project like a notebook cover.

 

[actionjbone]

Meant to post earlier. These English-made To Boots were great on a rainy day. And the longer I wore them, the more comfortable they got.

 

[eTrojan]

I took a flyer today on what appears to be a pair of vintage cowboy boots made prior to 1977.

Evidently, the style we recognize as a cowboy boot got its start in 1875 thanks to Charles Henry Hyer — a bootmaker in Olathe, Kansas.

Hyer Boot Company Records 1876-1988 - Kansas Historical Society

Kansas Historical Society

www.kshs.org

These Hyer boots still have an Olathe, Kansas origin label on them, so they pre-date the sale of the company in 1977 (though they could go as late as 1978 when the new owner shut down Kansas operations and moved the whole shebang to Texas).

Not that I needed another pair of cowboy boots (I already have 2 Luccheses and 1 Nocona). Hell, I don’t need any more pairs of shoes of any kind, but I keep buying them (2 more this past week besides the boots).

But how often do you get to buy a piece of American history?

 

[suitforcourt]

I took a flyer today on what appears to be a pair of vintage cowboy boots made prior to 1977.

Evidently, the style we recognize as a cowboy boot got its start in 1875 thanks to Charles Henry Hyer — a bootmaker in Olathe, Kansas.

Hyer Boot Company Records 1876-1988 - Kansas Historical Society

Kansas Historical Society

www.kshs.org

These Hyer boots still have an Olathe, Kansas origin label on them, so they pre-date the sale of the company in 1977 (though they could go as late as 1978 when the new owner shut down Kansas operations and moved the whole shebang to Texas).

Not that I needed another pair of cowboy boots (I already have 2 Luccheses and 1 Nocona). Hell, I don’t need any more pairs of shoes of any kind, but I keep buying them (2 more this past week besides the boots).

But how often do you get to buy a piece of American history?

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I don't think any of the brothers here need more footwear of any kind.

But a piece of history? Amazing.

 

[M.Photog]

I took a flyer today on what appears to be a pair of vintage cowboy boots made prior to 1977.

Evidently, the style we recognize as a cowboy boot got its start in 1875 thanks to Charles Henry Hyer — a bootmaker in Olathe, Kansas.

Hyer Boot Company Records 1876-1988 - Kansas Historical Society

Kansas Historical Society

www.kshs.org

These Hyer boots still have an Olathe, Kansas origin label on them, so they pre-date the sale of the company in 1977 (though they could go as late as 1978 when the new owner shut down Kansas operations and moved the whole shebang to Texas).

Not that I needed another pair of cowboy boots (I already have 2 Luccheses and 1 Nocona). Hell, I don’t need any more pairs of shoes of any kind, but I keep buying them (2 more this past week besides the boots).

But how often do you get to buy a piece of American history?

View attachment 1278324
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View attachment 1278326

Nice find, I picked up a pair of Rios of Mercedes for $6. They have an interesting history also. These are Alligator made in the early 90s I believe

 

[Oshare]

Florsheim LWBs miCanada by John McHale on this wet Wingtip Wednesday.

 

[eTrojan]

Nice find, I picked up a pair of Rios of Mercedes for $6. They have an interesting history also. These are Alligator made in the early 90s I believe View attachment 1278426 View attachment 1278428

That’s awesome. Coincidentally, Rios of Mercedes and the Olathe Boot Company (nee Hyer) are now owned by the same parent company: Western Leather Goods.

Heritage - Since 1875 - Olathe Boots

Olathe Boot Company has crafted hand-made, affordable, quality boots since 1875.

olatheboots.com

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Nice find, I picked up a pair of Rios of Mercedes for $6. They have an interesting history also. These are Alligator made in the early 90s I believe View attachment 1278426 View attachment 1278428

Dang. Those are good looking. The heel on those don't look too bad. I realized years ago, I have trouble walking in western boots if they have a tall heel especially if its a typical western heel that sort of curves. When I wore/wear that style, I CLUNK along. I can't walk quietly in them. But, if I wear a boot like a roper with a heel like a regular dress shoe, it is fine it doesn't feel any different. I think typical heels on my dress shoes are 1/2" up to 3/4"? But, a lot of western boots have 1.5-2" inch heels. I'm sure if I wore the boots with a regular western heel I could get used to it. I also noticed if I wear a pair with a taller heel, my lower back hurts at the end of a day. But, that never happens with any of my dress shoes. Must be because the taller heel throws off my posture or some alignment. I still like wearing them every once in a while.

 

[Nobleprofessor]

I am sure everyone has seen various advertisements for Taft shoes. They are supposed to be a higher end shoe with some funky styles and some traditional styles. I would guess they are geared toward younger men than me (I'm 46) and probably more towards the men who are upgrading their shoes from department store brands.

Back in the spring, I saw a couple things on Facebook advertising the Taft shoes. (By the way, if you click on a shoe advertisement ONCE, you will get shoe ads non-stop -- that's not always a bad thing. But, most of them are either "high fashion" -- i.e. ugly expensive crap or super expensive European styles that are way too "metrosexual" for me).

So, I looked at a Taft's online a few times. I signed up for some discount and I read a review of the shoes. It looked promising. I received a 50% off deal with free shipping. So, I thought I would check them out. I don't remember which style I first wanted, but it was backordered or discontinued. I decided to pull the trigger on a pair of the "Beck" in burnt honey. I think it is one of the more popular styles.

I got them in and put them in my closet and forgot about them. Then, several months ago, I decided to get them back out and I wore them.

Last night I was thinking about a new pair of Footjoy I bought and I was going to wear them. But, they are VERY nice shoes and the "virgin wear" is always tough. So, I went back to these Taft shoes.

I can provide a quick and dirty review. The process of buying, paying, and shipping was very easy and I was impressed. They come nicely boxed and with extra shoe laces.

When I first got them out I was torn between thinking they were REALLY nice and also thinking they were cheap junk made to look nice. The truth is somewhere in between. We are all familiar with how some cheap junky shoes are made to look great when new. But, its all plastic and shine and they fit like crap and wear out instantly. That is what I was worried about.

But, having worn these now (only twice), I am actually more impressed. These are not as nice Allen Edmonds (or anything better), but I think they are nicer and better than the crap that Johnston Murphy is offering now.

To those of us who like vintage shoes (especially the sturdy variety) these will look a little too sleek. I think most of the issue is the blake construction. I am used to seeing a nice goodyear welt. The blake construction does make them lighter and a little slimmer. But, it also makes me wonder about longevity.

I was worried these would be plastic feeling heavily corrected leather like so many modern shoes. I was surprised. It is not the quality of leather we find in our vintage shoes that used real full grain leather. But, its actually pretty nice.

Because of the lighter construction and thinner leather, these will not last for decades for my Florsheims. But, the lighter construction and leather choice makes them pretty comfortable right out of the box.

I will say if you are considering these, size down a half size. I did because I had read other warnings. Also, these are medium width. BUT, if my foot wasn't narrow, I don't think I could put these on. If your foot is on the wider side, I don't think these would work.

Here are some pictures. In general, I would buy another pair IF I had the 50% deal again. They are nicer than department store shoes. They do have more modern designs. They are not as nice most of the shoes we all wear. But, with the 50% off deal, they cost less than $125. So, my expectations were fairly low.

 

[suitforcourt]

Mystery shell Florsheim PTBs on the move.

 

[friendlygoz]

Seen here many times before but worth seeing again: Edwin Clapp alligators.

 

[aero25]

Seen here many times before but worth seeing again: Edwin Clapp alligators. View attachment 1278676 View attachment 1278677 View attachment 1278678

Very cool to see, as always. How have the spot (scale?) repairs you had to do been holding up now that you have a few wears on them?