Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[mreams99]

I usually give 4 weeks timeframe for participants to find the shoes and revive them.

I completely understand that you want to find shoes for your personal use, but most of us did not. And still had lots of fun.

Part of the challenge is finding the shoes within the timeline. The rules will require that you show a receipt proving the shoes were bought within the stipulated rules.

I try to run the challenge around the anniversary of this thread.

I had fun last year, even though I worked on a pair that was not my size.
Which reminds me, I still need to find a home for these:

 

[wasmisterfu]

For the price, I want to think about the limit. I was actually considering dropping the price to make it a true challenge. But I have not made final decision yet.

Wait... whadda ya mean dropping the price?! You mean below 15 bucks?

<faints>

 

[wasmisterfu]

I had fun last year, even though I worked on a pair that was not my size.
Which reminds me, I still need to find a home for these:
View attachment 1195229

What size are those again?

 

[mreams99]

What size are those again?

Size 11D.

 

[kilowatts]

Size 11D.

Hey 99:

Are they a roomy 11D?

kilowatts

 

[mreams99]

Hey 99:

Are they a roomy 11D?

kilowatts

Since they’re not my size, I have no way of knowing this.

 

[M635Guy]

I worked at a store that sold Alden around 1997 for about four years. The number of times I have measured customer's feet was probably less than 10. I rarely measured customers' feet. Some insist to get measurement and resist even trying different size than what they normally wear.

Brannock size does not equate to the size of the shoe. By looking at the shoe they are wearing, we can tell how their shoe fit. We stock shoe size in multiple width. So, I always bring out shoe in half or 1 size up and down for the customer to try. And then explain to them why I brought different size than that what they asked for.

If Grant Stone are advising correct sizing, then I would not consider it cutting cost.

Well said 365:

I couldn't agree more, GS is a company trying hard to succeed in a small market area of quality shoes and I wish them good luck. However, so far I don't have a pair, but I hope to remedy that very soon.

kilowatts

Thanks gents. After a goodly chunk of interrupted sleep last night, you're safe from any wee-hours posting from me tonight!

 

[tcbinnc]

Well, what I have planned will likely result in one seriously f’d up left shoe. The pair could end up being perfect for a Gotham City DA turned villain.

Looking forward to seeing it! This pair below I recently saw posted from a challenge that took place in Europe. The shoe on the right is shown not yet finished (I think) but I kind of like the pair as is. Looking as if that shoe's starting pattern, like a fungus, may eventually spread. Or that the other might heal? OK. I'm done. Good luck to all who participate in the upcoming challenge.

 

[CWOyaji]

Anybody an 8 D?
Not shell but Near NOS with box and free shipping

 

[davidVC]

"
You know what's funny - I've been to the AoSF store at least twenty times, and the AoDC store three times. I've visted Alden Madison twice and Yenni's B+M store (sadly) only once. You know how many times my feet have been measured across all those stores combined?

Zero."
I worked at a store that sold Alden around 1997 for about four years. The number of times I have measured customer's feet was probably less than 10. I rarely measured customers' feet. Some insist to get measurement and resist even trying different size than what they normally wear.

Brannock size does not equate to the size of the shoe. By looking at the shoe they are wearing, we can tell how their shoe fit. We stock shoe size in multiple width. So, I always bring out shoe in half or 1 size up and down for the customer to try. And then explain to them why I brought different size than that what they asked for.

If Grant Stone are advising correct sizing, then I would not consider it cutting cost.

I have had my feet measured at Brick and Mortar. Also at Allen Edmonds. And Nordstrom. But i requested it. Everyone should when visiting a shoe store. You might be surprised by the results.

A couple of years ago, I bought my own Brannock device. Obviously a symptom of my problems. Shoe problems.

 

[Raimar]

Ben B Berke shoe sz13

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/70234405

 

[suitforcourt]

I have had my feet measured at Brick and Mortar. Also at Allen Edmonds. And Nordstrom. But i requested it. Everyone should when visiting a shoe store. You might be surprised by the results.

A couple of years ago, I bought my own Brannock device. Obviously a symptom of my problems. Shoe problems.

I also have my own Brannock device!

 

[CWOyaji]

No MBA, no Brannock device, no condo. But I do have these Hanover PTBs with the original Vcleats still in place. Lots of noise on tile floors but I’m getting less self conscious about it.

 

[well-kept]

I have had my feet measured at Brick and Mortar. Also at Allen Edmonds. And Nordstrom. But i requested it. Everyone should when visiting a shoe store. You might be surprised by the results.

A couple of years ago, I bought my own Brannock device. Obviously a symptom of my problems. Shoe problems.

As Brannock-related problems go, yours seems moderate. Some years ago I actually made a visit to the place in Syracuse where the devices have been made for decades. This was pre-eBay and I wanted to buy one as a gift for someone who had been fascinated by them since childhood. It seemed the only way to get one was to knock on the door. To my surprise, it was a small, dark workshop straight out of Dickens, three or four people sitting on stools at wooden benches, the light coming from small windows, assembling them by hand. They seemed to think I was a bit... unusual... but they did sell me one. The gift, wrapped for Christmas, was a huge success.

 

[FibroblastsMakeLeather]

Today. Florsheim PTBs modified BY Steve at Bedos.