Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[mormonopoly]

These are Florsheim ventilated spectators c. 1950. I haven't seen another example quite like these.

 

[mormonopoly]

Here's another pair from the unworn part of my collection. These are Nettletons from the late 60s-70s with the original box.

 

[suitforcourt]

If perusing this thread doesn’t fully scratch my itch for top shelf classic shoe Appreciation I will sometimes go to browse at Classic Shoes for Men- https://classicshoesformen.com

It is a German based online vintage shoe retailer, run by a connoisseur, Sevan Minasian.

He takes a loving, curatorial, approach to both item selection and description. I learned a lot about vintage shoe brands and history from the site. When I first discovered it, I would literally spend an hour or more on it, soaking up info. For example, I had no knowledge of Edwin Clapp the brand, nor their record in exotics, until I got to this site.

There is a very good index by maker, materials, and styles. If you want, for example, to see what styles were made in alligator by which maker, it is my go-to site.

Note: The site is oriented towards a collector clientele. The shoes are not cheap, but I have rarely discovered online menswear stores whose sites are either this educational or enjoyable.

That site is great for shoe browsing, but watch out as there is a ton of information on there that’s flat out wrong.

@mormonopoly is right. A lot of the info is wrong. I've also read the seller has no integrity.

 

[suitforcourt]

Canadian made Dacks. This last is very generous so I can wear thicker wool socks.

I asked Pablo Hadarits to rebuild them to become rain shoes. I thrifted these in pretty rough shape. But I have a hard time finding Canadian made shoes in my size (8.5F, 8.5G, 8.5H, and sometimes 9F). So whenever I find a pair that fits, and I like, I'll have them rebuilt.

Pablo swapped in new welts that were dyed brown for a casual look. The soles are Vibram Londra which have a slimmer profile but give decent traction on slick surfaces.

 

[eTrojan]

Nettleton alligator loafers.

 

[Oshare]

Thanks. I went on a binge purchase and bought a bunch of selvedge from Gustin. Mostly their lighter weight pairs for spring and summer. They'll serve me well when I visit Asia next month.

Any chance you're swinging by Tokyo?

 

[memoriastoica]

Canadian made Dacks. This last is very generous so I can wear thicker wool socks.

I asked Pablo Hadarits to rebuild them to become rain shoes. I thrifted these in pretty rough shape. But I have a hard time finding Canadian made shoes in my size (8.5F, 8.5G, 8.5H, and sometimes 9F). So whenever I find a pair that fits, and I like, I'll have them rebuilt.

Pablo swapped in new welts that were dyed brown for a casual look. The soles are Vibram Londra which have a slimmer profile but give decent traction on slick surfaces.

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Nice! I am in desperate need for rainy day longwings in brown. ⛈️

 

[friendlygoz]

Wore my Dack’s kudu wholecuts today

 

[smfdoc]

I am always interested in the original cost of shoes that appear in our thread. Today I found this relatively recent pair of NOS Florsheim shell 97626 in 11C, that were made in April 1992, listed on Ebay. (Not my listing.) The price tag appears to say $209.

The seller is asking $585, which proves my claim to my wife that shoes are a good investment.

 

[WoolyLamb]

I am always interested in the original cost of shoes that appear in our thread. Today I found this relatively recent pair of NOS Florsheim shell 97626 in 11C, that were made in April 1992, listed on Ebay. (Not my listing.) The price tag appears to say $209.


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The seller is asking $585, which proves my claim to my wife that shoes are a good investment.

You could say new equivalents are more even still. I was seeing seconds from Alden in the 500+ range.

 

[suitforcourt]

Any chance you're swinging by Tokyo?

Just Taipei and Hong Kong. Don't worry, if I'm anywhere on the island, I'll reach out. It'd be nice to meet some of you in person!

 

[suitforcourt]

Guest speaker for a local high school class. Plus it's wingtip Wednesday. So the classic 93602s came out. Some purple to give some colour. I asked a cobbler to add toe taps, sole protectors, and rubber heels.

 

[WoolyLamb]

Guest speaker for a local high school class. Plus it's wingtip Wednesday. So the classic 93602s came out. Some purple to give some colour. I asked a cobbler to add toe taps, sole protectors, and rubber heels.

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Im not sure I will ever be able to truly purple it up. I can go dark maroons and burgundy…. but I fear true purple is just not good on me. I look far better on warm colors.

 

[suitforcourt]

For the longest time, I thought I could only pull off dark colours. And then I tried some brighter colours.

Trust me, just try it.

Im not sure I will ever be able to truly purple it up. I can go dark maroons and burgundy…. but I fear true purple is just not good on me. I look far better on warm colors.

 

[WoolyLamb]

For the longest time, I thought I could only pull off dark colours. And then I tried some brighter colours.

Trust me, just try it.

I have one tie that has purple. Nothing else lol. Also the wifey hates the color so I really don’t see it happening.