Shoes With Character

[meister]



Yes. I think so. I'm in Sydney and shell is not a very common material for shoes here - so I can confidently say that if these are shell they are the only ones I have every seen in the flesh.

They are old - they have the big bubbly ripples and no creases per se. You can't see it in the photo, but they have a nice patina too....so, yes, shell. And all for $5 at the vintage clothing stall at my local markets.

I actually thrifted a pair of shell Aldens in Sydney. Never thought it would happen.

 

[Selvaggio]



I actually thrifted a pair of shell Aldens in Sydney. Never thought it would happen.

Crikey by jingos! Florsheim, at least, is sold here and has been for donkeys' years. But Alden Shell? Did they fit?

As an aside, I am always struck by the fact that there are quite a few Brooks Brothers shirts which I come across in the second hand shops. Mail order? Maybe returning expats.

 

[meister]



Crikey by jingos! Florsheim, at least, is sold here and has been for donkeys' years. But Alden Shell? Did they fit?

As an aside, I am always struck by the fact that there are quite a few Brooks Brothers shirts which I come across in the second hand shops. Mail order? Maybe returning expats.

Nah they were size 8. I sent them to the USA. I get a lot of Brooks for meself and me sons. They love them and the non-iron is pretty effective if you handle the drying right.

 

[Thanks SF (a new me)]

while doing some clean-up for local Goodwill...with character or just plain FUGLY? ColeH from the Bragano line 1994 ....

 

[james_timothy]

Given that I'm not a fan of tassles: fugly.

 

[cptjeff]

Fugly? No, flat out ugly.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Speaking of shoes with character, allow me to share 2 pair of vintage Florsheim Kenmoors. One pair had been unworn but suffered terribly from mold. After several treatments in bleachy water, (as per this thread http://www.styleforum.net/forum/thread/260103/treating-musty-moldy-leather-what-works-for-you , I was able to kill the mold and lighten the shoes at the same time.
Here are the 2 pair, both identical and between 20-25 years young. The lighter pair used to be exactly the same colour as the darker pair before bleaching.
Right-click on image and open new window to see the image at full size. Hope you enjoy.

 

[meister]



Speaking of shoes with character, allow me to share 2 pair of vintage Florsheim Kenmoors. One pair had been unworn but suffered terribly from mold. After several treatments in bleachy water, (as per this thread http://www.styleforum.net/forum/thread/260103/treating-musty-moldy-leather-what-works-for-you , I was able to kill the mold and lighten the shoes at the same time.
Here are the 2 pair, both identical and between 20-25 years young. The lighter pair used to be exactly the same colour as the darker pair before bleaching.
Right-click on image and open new window to see the image at full size. Hope you enjoy.

That mild bleaching turned out a superb colour...

 

[Wes Bourne]



That mild bleaching turned out a superb colour...

+1. I also like how pronounced the grain/embossing is on those 2 pairs. My vintage V-Cleat Imperials' uppers are nowhere near as nice. Iirc, leather on mine is 'cashmere calf' or whatever and looks similar to current Kenmoors.

 

[meister]



That mild bleaching turned out a superb colour...

What I also really like is the "plywood" effect on the sole edging post bleaching. I would just condition that and not put an edge colouring on it at all.

 

[NORE]

Agreed. Some clear/neutral wax and a stiff buffing should do the trick.

 

[NORE]

Bump fr Issh and others who have shoes with maaaad character....

 

[meister]



Bump fr Issh and others who have shoes with maaaad character....

See your avatar for instructions....

 

[kischi]

CJ, 1st resole, 3 yrs old, worn once weekly

 

[kischi]

CJ, 1st resole, 3.5 yrs old, worn once weekly