Show us your SHOES !!!

LuvMyMan · Feb 27, 2020

Short Balding Guy said:
Cindy; You rock. Amazing restoration to the spectators to allow them to be gently worn again.

Do you do anything special to remove the excess conditioner?

I am curious to what you do to seal the soles. When you have a moment would you ellaborate please?

I have put off the finishing touches for a pair of neglected suede spectators. The suede was dry and I applied conditioner to the inside and outside in order to rescue the leather. I am now contemplating how to remove excess and restore the suede. Cindy your post is timely.

Thinking of shoes this afternoon, Eric -

What is the color of the suede? You might have to shampoo the suede if you have used conditioner on the up-side on the shoes. If so, rinse with a fairly damp warm wash clothe a few times to help lift out conditioner and ths suds of the shampoo. Another way you may have to wait for the conditioner to dry a while and use a suede eraser on any tid bit areas that the conditioner is showing up, then use a suede brush to sort of lift up the suede.

I have several different "mixes" of a sealer I have been using on shoe soles that are good so far, one that I think works the best is basically a spray on rubber, I will have to go look at the name, they advertise it to seal leaks and have another product (tape) that they use on a boat bottom to seal it, the spray is what I use after taping off the sides of the shoes before spraying the soles, when it dries I have a shrink wrap type material that is made for the bottoms of expensiven Nike and Jordon shoes, you cut it and fix it on the sole with a slight amount of overhangk hit is with a heat gun/blow dryer and it seals up really good on the spray rubber sealer. When it is all done you can actually apply a clear polish and make the bottoms look like a mirror, I will take pictures of what these spectators I am working on look like when I am done.

The Shooman · Feb 27, 2020

LuvMyMan said:
View attachment 215758 View attachment 215758

Now you are starting to change my mind.

belfastboy said:
In 7th grade I had an ex Scottish army Sargeant for a teacher. As punishment for any transgression, perceived or actual, us boys were made to shine his shoes. They had to be to his absolute satisfaction or one risked having the punishment upped to a strapping with the good ol' razor strop. We even had to shine the under arch of his dress boots.

I used to have a teacher who had trained for the priesthood, and he was really stern and strict. One of his most memorable things was his shoos, they were some of the cleanest, most polished and beautiful shoes I had ever seen. Even when it rained outside and everyone's shoes were wet, his were spotless without even a drop of water or dust on them. That made an impression on me and he influenced me very slightly, but truth be told l already had the shoo bug as a little kid, and even at aged five I had a list of all the classics l was going to buy when l grew up. Truly, for me it was a waiting game until l bought all the good ones, l counted down the years hoping kmy feet would stop growing so l could starting getting them.

I have always liked the same shoos since l was a little kid, and when l had enough money l BOUGHT THEM ALL. I was born with the shoo bug and checked out all my dad's good pairs before l could even walk. I went looking in shoe shops as a young boy planning the possibilities. I saved my pocket money as a 13 year old and always bought stitched captoe oxfords seconds from the Florsheim factory with my money or plain toe derby shoes from then on. At 14 l had a small collection, and at 16 l bought my first really good pair of shoes (R.M.Williams), and at 25 l bought my first really nice dress shoes (very expensive), and after that l was hooked on great dress shoes and could never go back.

I used to polish my shoes every night as a kid.

The Shooman · Feb 27, 2020

Talking about great dress shoes, check out these beauties. These types of shoes are an event.

Santoni - norvegese construction

His brother,
Santoni - bentivegna construction

These are some of the highest quality shoes ever made. Bespoke quality leathers and solidly made shoes with rare constructions made by only the very best makers.

When comparing that black shoe (split toe) to the Edward Green dover the difference is like night and day. I now polish that black shoe with red polish because l got bored with it in black.

belfastboy · Feb 27, 2020

The Shooman said:
Now you are starting to change my mind.

I used to have a teacher who had trained for the priesthood, and he was really stern and strict. One of his most memorable things was his shoos, they were some of the cleanest, most polished and beautiful shoes I had ever seen. Even when it rained outside and everyone's shoes were wet, his were spotless without even a drop of water or dust on them. That made an impression on me and he influenced me very slightly, but truth be told l already had the shoo bug as a little kid, and even at aged five I had a list of all the classics l was going to buy when l grew up. Truly, for me it was a waiting game until l bought all the good ones, l counted down the years hoping kmy feet would stop growing so l could starting getting them.

I have always liked the same shoos since l was a little kid, and when l had enough money l BOUGHT THEM ALL. I was born with the shoo bug and checked out all my dad's good pairs before l could even walk. I went looking in shoe shops as a young boy planning the possibilities. I saved my pocket money as a 13 year old and always bought stitched captoe oxfords seconds from the Florsheim factory with my money or plain toe derby shoes from then on. At 14 l had a small collection, and at 16 l bought my first really good pair of shoes (R.M.Williams), and at 25 l bought my first really nice dress shoes (very expensive), and after that l was hooked on great dress shoes and could never go back.

I used to polish my shoes every night as a kid.

We share a similar passion. In the mid sixties 8th & 9th grade cap toe oxfords were in style. We called them Banana toes and those that could afford them owned a pair. At recess and lunch we would stand in the school yard and compare the shine on the toe. There was great status in having the best glass shine on the toe. We would compare and share shining methods much like recipe swapping. To this day one of my favourite pastimes is shining shoes/boots in front of the TV watching a ball game....football/baseball depending on the season. My wife has the shiniest shoes around. I remember paying the grand sum of $25 or $28 dollars which at my very low hourly wage represented about 4 full days of work.

I have now switched over to being more of a boot man as I no longer dress up per se. My uniform is a leather jacket or cashmere coat with blue jeans and boots. Sadly I have a closet full of great dress shoes, many in exotic leathers, that hardly ever get worn.

LuvMyMan · Feb 28, 2020

belfastboy said:
We share a similar passion. In the mid sixties 8th & 9th grade cap toe oxfords were in style. We called them Banana toes and those that could afford them owned a pair. At recess and lunch we would stand in the school yard and compare the shine on the toe. There was great status in having the best glass shine on the toe. We would compare and share shining methods much like recipe swapping. To this day one of my favourite pastimes is shining shoes/boots in front of the TV watching a ball game....football/baseball depending on the season. My wife has the shiniest shoes around. I remember paying the grand sum of $25 or $28 dollars which at my very low hourly wage represented about 4 full days of work.

I have now switched over to being more of a boot man as I no longer dress up per se. My uniform is a leather jacket or cashmere coat with blue jeans and boots. Sadly I have a closet full of great dress shoes, many in exotic leathers, that hardly ever get worn.

I sure understand where you take a more comfy approach to attire. I myself have slowed down on getting all "done up"....for me I think it comes with age...

belfastboy · Feb 28, 2020

LuvMyMan said:
I sure understand where you take a more comfy approach to attire. I myself have slowed down on getting all "done up"....for me I think it comes with age...

Age and retirement....no longer having to wear a suit and tie to work. Even church now folks don't dress up so I am comfortable in my jeans and boots there as well.

Short Balding Guy · Feb 28, 2020

LuvMyMan said:
What is the color of the suede? You might have to shampoo the suede if you have used conditioner on the up-side on the shoes. If so, rinse with a fairly damp warm wash clothe a few times to help lift out conditioner and ths suds of the shampoo. Another way you may have to wait for the conditioner to dry a while and use a suede eraser on any tid bit areas that the conditioner is showing up, then use a suede brush to sort of lift up the suede.

I have several different "mixes" of a sealer I have been using on shoe soles that are good so far, one that I think works the best is basically a spray on rubber, I will have to go look at the name, they advertise it to seal leaks and have another product (tape) that they use on a boat bottom to seal it, the spray is what I use after taping off the sides of the shoes before spraying the soles, when it dries I have a shrink wrap type material that is made for the bottoms of expensiven Nike and Jordon shoes, you cut it and fix it on the sole with a slight amount of overhangk hit is with a heat gun/blow dryer and it seals up really good on the spray rubber sealer. When it is all done you can actually apply a clear polish and make the bottoms look like a mirror, I will take pictures of what these spectators I am working on look like when I am done.

White suede with brown leather toes, and heels cups. I will have a go at them this weekend with some suede shampoo.

Thanks.

Short Balding Guy · Feb 28, 2020

The Shooman said:
Talking about great dress shoes, check out these beauties. These types of shoes are an event.

Santoni - norvegese construction
View attachment 216245 View attachment 216246

His brother,
Santoni - bentivegna construction
View attachment 216247

These are some of the highest quality shoes ever made. Bespoke quality leathers and solidly made shoes with rare constructions made by only the very best makers.

When comparing that black shoe (split toe) to the Edward Green dover the difference is like night and day. I now polish that black shoe with red polish because l got bored with it in black.

Solid shoes rule! I find it much easier to slip my feet into solid shoes. Unless I am headed out to an event were I will be able to "gently wear" my shoes solid shoes it is!

LuvMyMan · Mar 2, 2020

Short Balding Guy said:
White suede with brown leather toes, and heels cups. I will have a go at them this weekend with some suede shampoo.

Thanks.

Always condition suede no matter what from the inside of the shoe on the back of the suede...you may have to apply many very light coats to have it soak through any "sock liner or leather liner" of the inside of the shoe before it actually gets into the suede but give it time. Suede does not need much to keep it nice.

Helpful hint as well on all suede...the moment you take your shoes off, use the suede brush on them no matter what, even if the suede looks clean...brush the hell out of them before you put the shoes away. Any small (and I do mean small...like the size of a grain of pepper) spots on your suede that the brush does not clean off, then use the suede cleaning eraser very lightly and then only until you no longer see the spot...why? That suede eraser is NOT super good for the life of the suede...it is a mild form of sanding...

LuvMyMan · Mar 2, 2020

The Shooman said:
Talking about great dress shoes, check out these beauties. These types of shoes are an event.

Santoni - norvegese construction
View attachment 216245 View attachment 216246

His brother,
Santoni - bentivegna construction
View attachment 216247

These are some of the highest quality shoes ever made. Bespoke quality leathers and solidly made shoes with rare constructions made by only the very best makers.

When comparing that black shoe (split toe) to the Edward Green dover the difference is like night and day. I now polish that black shoe with red polish because l got bored with it in black.

Santoni does indeed have some of their better made shoes, that are so super nice and high quality...but the midrange Santoni stink.....injection molded soles....glued together junk no better than Magnini brand junk that will destroy the human foot when wearing. I am sure Santoni has a journeyman master shoemaker doing their high end beauty shoes like the ones you are showcasing and made by one place I am trying to recall the name....one of the best shoe makers in Italy and of course they make a few "brands" that call for 100% high quality and craftsmanship. In fact part of the name of whom I am thinking is like Bentivegna,....let me do some looking and get back here,...LOL!

LuvMyMan · Mar 5, 2020

Short Balding Guy said:
Cindy; You rock. Amazing restoration to the spectators to allow them to be gently worn again.

Do you do anything special to remove the excess conditioner?

I am curious to what you do to seal the soles. When you have a moment would you ellaborate please?

I have put off the finishing touches for a pair of neglected suede spectators. The suede was dry and I applied conditioner to the inside and outside in order to rescue the leather. I am now contemplating how to remove excess and restore the suede. Cindy your post is timely.

Thinking of shoes this afternoon, Eric -

And now what these look like...check out that suede and the shine...

Héctor Fernández · Mar 5, 2020

It is nice to see all these cool shoes.

I wore suits, ties, and dress shoes for 25 out of 29 years during my career, once I retired in 2016, I donated all of them but three to Goodwill, including four big boxes of dress shoes.

I kept a suit for funerals, weddings, and a tuxedo. Other than that my closest thing to a formal attire is a pair of jeans, a tee, a pair of converse, and a sport coat.

Having said that, I still appreciate and admire good fashion.

Hagwood · Mar 19, 2020

Allen Edmonds Neumok in Kudu leather. Very interesting shoes in that Kudu is more often seen in boots, since it is a pretty rugged looking leather with natural scars from the Antelope in the wild, but they are very cool for more casual wear. Probably the most comfortable shoes I own, super soft and supple, and unlined inside except for the heal area, so you feel the softness of the Kudu up against your feet.

GHT · Mar 24, 2020

Dlaniger said:
Santoni “Newman” color tobacco
I was digging through the closet and forgot I had this pair of shoes.

It's always good to come across a forgotten treasure, especially one as fine as those shoes. The times that I have said that I'm going to have a clear out. Now that I have time on my hands through this enforced isolation, I'm doing just that. The shoe racks that I use are skeletal shoe trees, having removed them from the bottom of my wardrobe, I was able to clean and dust. I found cuff links that I thought were lost, the odd sock that should be keeping the other one company, plenty of small change that had fallen from my trouser pockets and a pair of braces/suspenders that, again, I thought was lost.

Looking at my shoes before returning them to their place in the wardrobe, I photographed them. Do you know, I think that I have too much time on my hands.

LuvMyMan · Mar 25, 2020

GHT said:
It's always good to come across a forgotten treasure, especially one as fine as those shoes. The times that I have said that I'm going to have a clear out. Now that I have time on my hands through this enforced isolation, I'm doing just that. The shoe racks that I use are skeletal shoe trees, having removed them from the bottom of my wardrobe, I was able to clean and dust. I found cuff links that I thought were lost, the odd sock that should be keeping the other one company, plenty of small change that had fallen from my trouser pockets and a pair of braces/suspenders that, again, I thought was lost.

Looking at my shoes before returning them to their place in the wardrobe, I photographed them. Do you know, I think that I have too much time on my hands.
View attachment 222429 View attachment 222430 View attachment 222431

Well now, you sure have a nice collection of shoes to offer a good variety of colors and styles to go with all your nice clothing.

daizawaguy · Jun 13, 2020

Some of my Japan bespokes

Short Balding Guy · Jun 13, 2020

daizawaguy said:
Some of my Japan bespokes

View attachment 241381 View attachment 241382 View attachment 241383 View attachment 241384 View attachment 241385 View attachment 241386 View attachment 241387 View attachment 241388

Sir; WOW! I have seen your posts over at the Style Forum threads. They are spectacular.

The sculptural shape of the arch and clean lines of the shoe into the heel have them elegant. A seemingly simple aesthetic that makes them pop to my eye. Sleek but not overly done. Both show excellent conformation and detail.

I do recall your special pairs of White Boots that you posted many years ago. Lately I been watching/reading Style Forum to gather info to commission a pair inspired by your posts(bullhide combo).

Cheers to you and your shoes, Eric -

redlinerobert · Jun 14, 2020

Wow. Now those are shoes!

Michael A · Jul 15, 2020

Thrifted these Allen Edmonds Belgians today.

Allen Edmonds Belgium by Michael A2012, on Flickr

IMG_5192 by Michael A2012, on Flickr

IMG_5190 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
As luck would have it, they fit and they were half price.

Michael

DaveProc · Jul 15, 2020

Michael A said:
Thrifted these Allen Edmonds Belgians today.
Allen Edmonds Belgium by Michael A2012, on Flickr
IMG_5192 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
IMG_5190 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
As luck would have it, they fit and they were half price.

Michael

Awesome!!

Show us your SHOES !!!

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