Show us your SHOES !!!

[Claudio]

Various styles I enjoy

 

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Folks

While these AE are not GE, I was looking for a reasonable priced pair of casual wear shoes/boots.. I like the tweed and they are quit comfortable.
Regards.
CCJ

 

[countryclubjoe]

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Various styles I enjoy

Claudio

Very nice unique look.. While I could not pull off the plaid trouser's in pick number 4, I appreciate someone that can.
Also the shoes/boots in your first pic, tell us a little about them when time permits. Thank you and best regards.

CCJ

 

[Isshinryu101]

In fact, the top line of Santoni Shoes... which is sublime (thick soles, 100% handmade, fantastic leather, etc), retails in the $2000.00 range now! An insane pricetag, but in the modern marketplace, only Vass offers a true handlasted and handsewn shoe for under $1000. Another fantastic modern RTW true handmade is Saint Crispin... also for the near $2000 price. John Lobb Paris is also in that range. Edward Green and John Lobb RTW is NOT handmade, but goodyear machined instead. prices for them are $1300- $1700. Even Santoni's goodyear models are now in the $1200 range now.

INSANE! Crazy to pay that money for machine made shoes, I say. So few makers can actually handmake a shoe and the time involved in such an endeavor conspire to drive the prices so high. If Vass was in western europe rather than Hungary, they too would cost much more. Economics is the enemy in handmade shoes. I should have been around when a true handmade could be had for $5.00!

I would have to say what I know Daniel would start this off comment wise...We first off have to feel very sorry for those out there, that have to attempt to find a comfortable shoe. WHY you ask? Those that have been born with six toes instead of just five little piggies. That has to be a concern for sizes, (made mention on the previous post by Mr Cookie! LOL! Everyone making shoes now, goes all over the place. They have some sort of organizational involvement to bring a total unified sizes for all shoes and have the manufactures stick to it. That being said, when you see a one legged parrot trying to walk a straight line, you have seen something like a bad pair of shoes. "Why", (you ask). Simple. Even those $600.00 Santoni shoes are made with fine leather and have some sleek lines to the design....that is all good....but also all bad. The shoe is not going to last you very long. THIN soles. Long toes that are pointy, creates issues for your toes even. (Hey recall I made mention of those that are born with six toes and not just five). Where is that toes going to be at in those shoes? Thin soles that flex too much, have a tendency to make your feet hurt. That may cause what is known as "excessive movement creating more friction, thus expedited wear. Thank you Santoni, for a sleek looking $750.00 plus shipping price tag. I could have used a new washer machine and toaster oven here at home. There is maybe just one or two models of Santoni shoes that are made with some heft to them, and have those special sewn welts designed to give a better shoe with a better shoe performance. Sort of like added swaybars and a windshield on that new Porsche, (with the hidden button for Nitrous Oxide). But those model of shoes by Santoni are up to the $900.00 mark. Check out the prices of some modest priced Vass shoes, and buy a real shoe instead. Although we do buy Vintage as much as humanly possible, there have been times we have purchase newer modern high end. Believe it or not, some vintage even blow away what Vass is making. Yes, I have learned so much, from what I read here, what Daniel has explained, and from what I read on shoe blogs as well. It is all about one thing without a single doubt.

FOR those that want to have some special look and higher quality, something that will last, (already has at times for some shoes 70 or more years old and still being worn today) you simply cannot beat the well made vintage shoes. It is next to impossible for the same quality of leather to be found. That would be the only factor of any shoe company today, to desire to charge such a high price. The leather cost an arm and a leg.

Still learning, too! lol

 

[Tomasso]

I should have been around when a true handmade could be had for $5.00!

You'd like it until you saw that your monthly pay was $20.

 

[Claudio]

Claudio

Very nice unique look.. While I could not pull off the plaid trouser's in pick number 4, I appreciate someone that can.
Also the shoes/boots in your first pic, tell us a little about them when time permits. Thank you and best regards.

CCJ

Thanks CCJ - I've always liked the clean and simple lines of boxing boots but wanted them with a proper leather sole, to be able to wear them with a country suit in a more 1920's vibe (I am in the usefull position of designing and owning my own men's clothing brand so whenever I like something and I think it will work well with the rest of my line I get it made up )

 

[Isshinryu101]

You'd like it until you saw that your monthly pay was $20.

Actually, I crunched those numbers. Average salary in 1920 was around 3250. 100% handmade shoe could be had for $5. That's 1/ 650.

Average US salary in 2010 was around $26000. 100% handmade shoe (except for Vass) is around $2000. That's 1/13.

HUGE difference

 

[Tomasso]

That was a joke.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I would hope that anyone here can see a view point that I am simply making. We all have to work hard for an income in today's world. Really we do. We mostly like the vintage style (that is a part of why we are here). In comparison to modern against vintage (yes you are going to hunt to find those vintage pairs of shoes) the vintage wins in my book. If I wanted to continue to buy from Vass or any other high quality made to order place, well unless a real deal is being offered, who can afford to buy ten or twenty Vass shoes a year? Not me! But I can afford to find deals for less than $300.00 online and grab up a wonderful well made vintage shoe. Something that has a fantastic look and is going to offer being worth the price.

Sure you can buy AE or Cold Haan, or some of the other well known names in shoes. You can spend about $300.00 or so to buy a decent shoe. Some of those shoes may last you for some time, more so if you are as anal as we are about taking care of those shoes. But they are going to wear out faster, going to not look as nice and for the money, it is a clear summary, just cannot see beating a good pair of vintage shoes.

I am also learning the same view point seems to hold true for clothing articles as well.

I thank what the Lounge has given to me and to my Husband, as we have learned tons upon tons of information and actually I know I would be buying my Husband a ton of shoes from AE or the "Cole Haan" type shoe makers not knowing that the vintage shoes are out there to be hunted down and purchased! Aside from Vass the only really decent pairs of shoes that are modern, have been costly, could have purchased two or more vintage with the same money. My Husband has even elected to have me ( awhile ago) unload any of this AE shoes that are not vintage. Down to one pair of AE's and honestly, they have more heft to them than any of the more recent made AE shoes. They are wingtips that are of a model no longer made, I think they are from the very early 1960's.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

That was a joke.

He will know that.

Speaking of humor, how can you identify a common yet large Horse fly from a common yet large House fly? (Look for the one wearing the saddle) LOL!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Thanks CCJ - I've always liked the clean and simple lines of boxing boots but wanted them with a proper leather sole, to be able to wear them with a country suit in a more 1920's vibe (I am in the usefull position of designing and owning my own men's clothing brand so whenever I like something and I think it will work well with the rest of my line I get it made up )

Wow I would not ever have guess those boots are not of a custom hand made shoe (dress boot)! You sure have a nice looking pair of boots to wear and looking at them they have a very nice appeal style wise. You are giving me ideas.....lol!

 

[GHT]

Average US salary in 2010 was around $26000.

You're kidding? Seriously? I was under the impression that it was around the $45K mark.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Thanks CCJ - I've always liked the clean and simple lines of boxing boots but wanted them with a proper leather sole, to be able to wear them with a country suit in a more 1920's vibe (I am in the usefull position of designing and owning my own men's clothing brand so whenever I like something and I think it will work well with the rest of my line I get it made up )

Claudio
Very creative Sir,turning boxing shoes into gentleman dress wear... I like it.. Please PM me on your clothing line. I like your business idea and may be interested in learning more and investing..
Looking forward to your PM.
Regards
CCJ

 

[Claudio]

Wow I would not ever have guess those boots are not of a custom hand made shoe (dress boot)! You sure have a nice looking pair of boots to wear and looking at them they have a very nice appeal style wise. You are giving me ideas.....lol!

I wish I could make hand made boots (or anything for that matter). Lucky you and hats off to your skills, a lost trade that is. :eusa_clap

 

[Isshinryu101]

You're kidding? Seriously? I was under the impression that it was around the $45K mark.

I was surprised as well. My family of 5 could not make it at that number (x2 for the wife & I).

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I am on round 10 or so of conditioning the alligator shoes. I now have some Saphir Reptan and a spray can of Fiebing's Reptile cleaner. It is a foam from the spray can, and made to soak and clean a shoe or boot to deep clean off dirt and such. Do not need to use that yet, but the conditioners are getting a good work out.

After making some phone calls, I learn why the Cadillac is O.K. to use on Gator and other exotic skins shoes. Cadillac has no wax in it. The Wax in polish or conditioners is what will dry out Gator and some other exotics. However, I can say honestly, the Saphir is a thick, smooth, rich deep soaking conditioner that although is not as easy to soak in as the Cadillac, it is very much giving the Gator a lot of rich nourishment and letting the Gator drink it all in as much as I can. I ordered the Saphir from Kirby Allison's Hanger Project website. I think I found a decent price for it there and they have a nice selection of Saphir product line. Several days to go and I may be done with the conditioner. Next up is to do some "sole saving" on the shoes, as the soles are new and I am going to help keep them that way, going to put some clear poly plastic that is made for shoe soles, it is soft enough to bend with the shoe sole, but has enough strength to last for some time. Thin coat of some Barge contact cement, the let it dry for about 10 minutes and "mush" down the clear sole protector, (will be similar to Topy, but clear and a bit more soft. Then, I was able to find some nice metal plates for the toe of the soles, ones you use screws to install. Those will go over the clear sole protectors and should help hold down the toe/tip of the sole area. A larger but matching plate as the toe, gets installed on the heels.

 

[cookie]

Thin coat of some Barge contact cement, the let it dry for about 10 minutes and "mush" down the clear sole protector, (will be similar to Topy, but clear and a bit more soft.

Had not heard of clear Topys

 

[Tomasso]

Neither have I.

 

[Claudio]

Claudio
Very creative Sir,turning boxing shoes into gentleman dress wear... I like it.. Please PM me on your clothing line. I like your business idea and may be interested in learning more and investing..
Looking forward to your PM.
Regards
CCJ

Thanks CCJ, PM sent

All the best
C

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Thin coat of some Barge contact cement, the let it dry for about 10 minutes and "mush" down the clear sole protector, (will be similar to Topy, but clear and a bit more soft.

Had not heard of clear Topys

These are perhaps not made by topy, but are on the eBay, they are normally used for women's shoes to cover the bottom of expensive heels. However, they are now making them in sheets for a man size shoe. They almost look like a semi transparent gummy look, but more clear than not. They have a very slight "grain" to the surface for anti skid, they claim to be "self adhesive" but we all know that is not going to hold like actually using a real thin coat of barge first. I have saved a ice cream stick just for such application. The nice thing about using the barge, later if this sole protector decides to come off, the barge cement is easy to clean off with a bit of "finish stripper".

The Cobbler had some real thin topy in a few different colors, but as due to how that normally has to be applied on the shoe, to get any real "grip" he would have to rough sand down the soles a bit and cross into the area where I really would like to avoid making the sole any thinner.

The sole protectors I am going to use are a bit more flexible that a topy. Just cleaning the sole with a slight amount of stripper to get the leather really clean, will be enough to have it grip for while. Hey, they are not cheap in price, cost me about $40.00 for the pair of sheets that will have to be cut and sized out to fit on the soles.