Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[FeloniusMonk]

Florsheim Classic Mens Shoes Original 1920s? Antique leather sz 7.5 ankle top | eBay

Made of leather, very cool.

www.ebay.com

I won the bid for these Florsheim boots. Curious if they are really 1920s? Or more 1930-1940s? I think the sole would date it best.

Do you think the leather is kangaroo with the wrinkling?

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I think the wrinkling is just loose grain in the leather. I have a pair of boots that looks similar, and they're definitely not kangaroo.

 

[right_hook]

I been watching this one and would do it if my daughter would to wear vintage shoe .. but she likes girly girl shoes.

Vintage brown leather Child Poll Parrot Lace up Boot shoe NEVER WORN | eBay

No size designation given but interior has several production numbers including 1944 dating. A few very small scuffs on one side and on the edges of the top and the bottom but otherwise in excellent condition (see photos).

www.ebay.com

I honestly think we should let our daughters to be girls and have their girly preferences.
In this, all obligations to equip their children with proper shoes fall on those with sons. So, @suitforcourt , here is what you should do. Just find some nice tiny lwbs for your boy and buy them using OBO following your mom's special recipe (it will make us even more proud). Then use saved money to give little fella some bribe to wear them when walking with you (not to school, don't ruin his child's life). When your wife ask about his shoes tell her your son just got taste for proper footwear and asked you to buy him some. And then, using your own words, just stick to your story!

 

[Nobleprofessor]

Did some research last night and found these ads online from the April, 1939 edition of Esquire. I thought you fellas might enjoy.

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Those Catalog pics are awesome! Thanks for sending them!

I picked up two nice pairs of Dacks Antelope whole-cuts today. The smaller pair should fit me. I also got a very nice pair of early 60's Hartt's with correct shoe-trees, Size 10.5E which shoud work for my son. Having picked up 12 pairs since Friday my shoe buying budget is blown for the year, but the time to buy is when you see them, so I couldn't resist.

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I missed a detail when I first read this! 12 pairs since Friday?? Dang! That is a spree! But, if you found that many vintage shoes for a good price, that is fantastic!

If only I had a time machine...

That said, I do own this pair or Imperials:

Those are GORGEOUS!

I wish I could find some tan/white or brown/white spectators.

 

[ccpl14]

If only I had a time machine...

That said, I do own this pair or Imperials:

Beautiful. Is the lighter part white, off white, or cream?

 

[Nealjpage]

Is it advisable to use saddle soap on shell? I’ve always been under the impression that it’s something to avoid.

I dunno. What I use is glycerin soap, but generally speaking, I've been under the impression that saddle soap is pretty benign and isn't as harsh as other cleansers.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I'm sure that I won't even notice the brain damage.

Ok, give me the details.

Well, I think you might need to strip the finish off as I think that’s what’s shot. I’d start with some renomat, just to ensure that it’s not wax and such (but I don’t think it is). If your still seeing surface finish abnormalities, get out the acetone (in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors, IMHO), and strip the finish off. You’ll probably also want to invest in appro leather shoe dye, along with an appropriate acrylic finish, though you don’t have to go with such a finish, you could use a less permanent (though more maintenance intensive) cream polish finish.

Note: all of this may result in shoe destruction, great sadness or an epic win for vintage shoe science.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Beautiful. Is the lighter part white, off white, or cream?

White... like the blinding light of a nuclear super-criticality.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I dunno. What I use is glycerin soap, but generally speaking, I've been under the impression that saddle soap is pretty benign and isn't as harsh as other cleansers.

Depends on the soap. Personally, I think the cheapie Kiwi Saddle Soap is outstanding and is great for cleaning and providing a first stage of hydration (though you should also use conditioner after thoroughly dried from cleaning).

You can take a pair that looks like this:

And make them look like this:

(Color gamut is off, but you get the idea.) Basically, most of the improvement came from a good, fairly “wet” saddle soaping, followed by drying with shoe trees, some leather lotion (inside and out) and just a bit of cream polish.

 

[wasmisterfu]

Those are GORGEOUS!

I wish I could find some tan/white or brown/white spectators.

Yeah, well, I didn’t exactly find them... I think David actually told me about them hanging out on his watchlist. I had to have them; the chances of me finding these in my size, ever again, have to be astronomically high (they were MTO).

 

[Nealjpage]

Well, I think you might need to strip the finish off as I think that’s what’s shot. I’d start with some renomat, just to ensure that it’s not wax and such (but I don’t think it is). If your still seeing surface finish abnormalities, get out the acetone (in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors, IMHO), and strip the finish off. You’ll probably also want to invest in appro leather shoe dye, along with an appropriate acrylic finish, though you don’t have to go with such a finish, you could use a less permanent (though more maintenance intensive) cream polish finish.

Note: all of this may result in shoe destruction, great sadness or an epic win for vintage shoe science.

I'll give it a shot, starting with the Ren'omat. I'm curious about the acrylic finish, though. I was under the impression that shell didn't have a topcoat.

 

[wasmisterfu]

I'll give it a shot, starting with the Ren'omat. I'm curious about the acrylic finish, though. I was under the impression that shell didn't have a topcoat.

I’m no shell expert, but I was under the impression from the grand-expert, Shoonoob, that there is indeed a layer of finish. We’re not talking the industrial-grade PU finish of CG, but the same sort of thing that’s applied to calf.

 

[instigateur]

Vintage Nunn Bush walnut wingtips

 

[suitforcourt]

Vintage Nunn Bush walnut wingtips

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2 of your pairs (this one included) occupy my top 3 favourites amongst other shoe enthusiasts' collections.

@friendlygoz 's Keith Highlanders rounds out the list.

 

[Oshare]

2 of your pairs (this one included) occupy my top 3 favourites amongst other shoe enthusiasts' collections.

@friendlygoz 's Keith Highlanders rounds out the list.

Oh no! My Bostonian shell wingtips got bumped from the list!

 

[happypebble]

Vintage Nunn Bush walnut wingtips

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Ooh that's lovely.