Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[wasmisterfu]

Received and treated the MacGregors. Took a moderate amount of darker brown polish off and replaced with Saphir medium brown. I really like the copper color. Looks to be 1979 from coding.
I felt like I was taking a chance on this in 11C because I'm typically a 10.5D-11D and in some vintage brands 11.5C. After reading @wasmisterfu post on the 0 last from 7/11/21 and considering the cotton drill forefoot, I took the chance that it would not be too narrow and that the drill would be more forgiving if needed. I am happy to report it is an excellent fit. Thank you to the community as a whole, as well.
Btw, can the cotton drill be cleaned? Should it even be attempted? I just sprayed some Renovateur as best I could.
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MacGregor’s arose me from my slumber.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Vintage violation: AE Strand black velvet spectator thingies (being worn with black tie in a blatant rules violation… because I can).

 

[wasmisterfu]

Day 2 of a course organized by the American College of Trial Lawyers. It's the first time they're running this program in Canada. It's been a very interesting learning experience for me as most of my faculty are some legendary American trial lawyers. Always important to absorb how people do things differently in other jurisdictions.

And yeah, only lawyers would run a 3 day course during Mothers Day weekend.

Dressed to impress. These are spectators gifted by @Shoonoob.


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Counselor, those are big pimpin, right there.

Also, some might consider it borderline genius to have such an event during mother's day weekend.

 

[friendlygoz]

C&J for RL in whiskey shell today…

 

[Satoman1]

Just grabbed this pair of Allen Edmonds from a online seller, the shoes are on the way shipping to me. The model code is 353 with no name writen, I checked few catalog and find the model from 1964 catalog "The Cayuga" with the model code is 4353, anyone have an idea of 3 digits model number?

On my feet today, a kind of MTO model I guess, date code is 1130 so probably from March 1980.

 

[suitforcourt]

Counselor, those are big pimpin, right there.

Also, some might consider it borderline genius to have such an event during mother's day weekend.

Yeah, I have 4 pairs of spectators now. They're awesome.

Running a 3 day course on Mothers Day weekend is borderline torture. My wife kept texting me how she had to take care of the kids, all the while I'm learning to cross-examine from a 90+ year old lawyer.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Yeah, I have 4 pairs of spectators now. They're awesome.

Running a 3 day course on Mothers Day weekend is borderline torture. My wife kept texting me how she had to take care of the kids, all the while I'm learning to cross-examine from a 90+ year old lawyer.

Oh man, there’s nothing worse than a “thanks for nothin” text on Mother's day. However, you can take comfort in knowing that your choice in footwear was appropriately festive.

 

[wasmisterfu]

On my feet today, a kind of MTO model I guess, date code is 1130 so probably from March 1980.
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Those are very nice, and I believe they are indeed the Cayuga. I’ve grown to assume that the three digit model numbers were indicative of an MTO non-catalog model (4 digits with a 0 were retail-specific models for 3rd parties). That said, the Bancroft last, color and material all match the Cayuga, but the welt and sole thickness match circa 1980 AE. Pretty cool find.

 

[suitforcourt]

Those are very nice, and I believe they are indeed the Cayuga. I’ve grown to assume that the three digit model numbers were indicative of an MTO non-catalog model (4 digits with a 0 were retail-specific models for 3rd parties). That said, the Bancroft last, color and material all match the Cayuga, but the welt and sole thickness match circa 1980 AE. Pretty cool find.

Any new additions recently?

 

[sam67]

Gents, please help me find these inbound AE ‘Duke’ in a catalog or other. I can’t locate them. Will post when arrive.

 

[sam67]

Beautiful Empire if you're a 13C

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1715216576/1950s-spectator-wingtip-oxford-allen?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mens+spectator+shoes&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=8eb3c33a03ac39131bd1bbe896963da673020d90%253A1715216576&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1

 

[actionjbone]

Recently got my hands on an absolutely wrecked pair of Royal Tweed oxfords.

You can see some of the damage. Deep gouges, oil stains, scuffs through the finish. There was more than I'm showing here. I tried to save the factory finish, but I couldn't cover up all the damage.

So I went another route.

A nice rich, dark brown. You can still see a little of the damage, but the dark color hides it well enough.

Saved another pair from the dumpster!

 

[friendlygoz]

A little sunshine really brings out the beauty of these Florsheim NSTs. Andrew Morden brought these back with double JR soles, new French cuffing, cat paw heels, and toe taps.

Happy Monday, shoe friends.

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Nice! Looks like maybe you put some dark cream polish on the toes…? If not, that a great natural burnish.

 

[friendlygoz]

AE Bartlett today…

 

[wasmisterfu]

Any new additions recently?

Yes, two pair that are mid-restoration… correction three pair. I need to carve out the time to finish them, so I can post shoe pr0n.