Your Genuinely Vintage Shoes (old, not repro)

[Alice Blue]

My first pair of vintage shoes - thanks to Babydoll for the tip!

They date from the 1940s and were completely unworn, but they feel a bit brittle. I'm wondering whether the leather needs conditioning and how to find those wooden shoe forms. The brand is Tarsal Tred.

 

[lolly_loisides]

Here are my deadstock late 40's early 50's house slippers. I love them.

 

[Babydoll]

Alice Blue, glad I could help.

Lolly, those are gorgeous!!!!

 

[LizzieMaine]

My first pair of vintage shoes - thanks to Babydoll for the tip!

They date from the 1940s and were completely unworn, but they feel a bit brittle. I'm wondering whether the leather needs conditioning and how to find those wooden shoe forms. The brand is Tarsal Tred.

That's an ideal pair of housewife oxfords -- once broken in you'll find them extremely confortable.

I find that stiff old leather benefits from mink oil -- work it in good with a rag and let it soak in overnight before wearing. Be especially careful to work it in along the welt -- it also provides protection from water damage.

It might darken the leather a bit, but it shouldn't be too noticeable.

 

[Alice Blue]

I find that stiff old leather benefits from mink oil -- work it in good with a rag and let it soak in overnight before wearing. Be especially careful to work it in along the welt -- it also provides protection from water damage.

It might darken the leather a bit, but it shouldn't be too noticeable.

Thanks for the recommendation. A fellow over in the men's thread recommended Cadillac conditioner, but I do have mink oil and have used it on my boots. Do you recommend rubbing it on inside surfaces as well?

The color right now is a fairly bright russet. Having them a bit darker might not be entirely a bad thing - planning outfits that go with russet shoes is turning out to be a bit of a challenge. On the other hand, they are certainly distinctive.

 

[Maudelynn]

Here are a few of my favourites from my collection!

 

[Stray Cat]

I guess this'll fit here..

 

[scotrace]

These have come my way. Hanon & Son, New York and Paris. Hanon was apparently a big deal in ladies shoes pre-war. I'm thinking about 1930. Size 6.

 

[vintage.vendeuse]

Hello ladies,
I'm Donna. I recently registered here at the lounge to learn more about a mens Stetson hat I acquired.
I collect and deal in vintage womens clothing. I'd love to wear it, but women back them were so petite and I am not!
Anyway, these shoes are not mine but they ARE my favorite vintage shoes of all time so I thought I'd share: