Custom Shoe Guinea Pigs Needed

[Indy Magnoli]

I'm pretty sure we can do those as well. If you want, I can source some cloth options.

I've also just found out that I can get buck, but only in black, brown and tan... no white. [huh]

Kind regards,
Indy

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Indy Magnoli, I'll have the scans for you by this afternoon.

Meanwhile, here are some images of shoes to inspire your shoemaker (and maybe some Loungers). The brown/tan spectators below are from the early to mid-1930s:

 

[Marc Chevalier]

These are Florsheims from 1992 (believe it or not):

 

[jamespowers]

I've also just found out that I can get buck, but only in black, brown and tan... no white. [huh]

Kind regards,
Indy

Hmmm.... I think that gives me an idea then. I'll have to check some of my shoe catalogs at home and see just how it might look first though. Black buck....hmmmm.....

Regards,

J

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Buckskin looks nice, especially in white ... but here are my problems with it.

First, it's hard to find. Practically every so-called "buck" shoe made today is, in fact, made of Nubuck. Nubuck is perfectly smooth; it doesn't have the chamois/suede look and feel of old fashioned buckskin.

Second, it's hard to keep clean. White buckskin suede gets scuffed easily; most suede-cleaning products actually stain the white, making it look even dirtier. There's a reason why so many vintage spectators have the buckskin PAINTED OVER with white liquid shoe polish: the former owners gave up trying to clean the suede. It's true that a chalk bag can be used to touch up the buck, but white chalk goes only so far. It can't remove dark scuffs.

Third, white buckskin is ruined by water and other liquids. If you ever have the bad luck to get your shoes wet, say goodbye to the buckskin part. The suede's nap will never be the same again, even if you brush it.


Frankly, I'd go for an all calfskin shoe, like the two in the photos above. It's far easier to keep clean, and won't be ruined by a few drops of water.


.

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

I've been searching for navy spectator pumps for ages. Could you do lady's shoes with higher heel?

 

[jamespowers]

Buckskin looks nice, especially in white ... but here are my problems with it.

First, it's hard to find. Practically every so-called "buck" shoe made today is, in fact, made of Nubuck. Nubuck is perfectly smooth; it doesn't have the chamois/suede look and feel of old fashioned buckskin.

Second, it's hard to keep clean. White buckskin suede gets scuffed easily; most suede-cleaning products actually stain the white, making it look even dirtier. There's a reason why so many vintage spectators have the buckskin PAINTED OVER with white liquid shoe polish: the former owners gave up trying to clean the suede. It's true that a chalk bag can be used to touch up the buck, but white chalk goes only so far. It can't remove dark scuffs.

Third, white buckskin is ruined by water and other liquids. If you ever have the bad luck to get your shoes wet, say goodbye to the buckskin part. The suede's nap will never be the same again, even if you brush it.


Frankly, I'd go for an all calfskin shoe, like the two in the photos above. It's far easier to keep clean, and won't be ruined by a few drops of water.


.

You mean to tell me you don't know how to clean buck? Do I actually have a secret you don't know?
Three words man---Black Buck Wingtips. They had them back in the day. I have the ad in my home computer. They had them in black, dark blue, green and white. I already have a white pair.
When is the last time you went out in the rain with a pair of buck shoes? Me? Never. "Het!"

Regards,

J

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You mean to tell me you don't know how to clean buck? Do I actually have a secret you don't know?
Three words man---Black Buck Wingtips. They had them back in the day. I have the ad in my home computer. They had them in black, dark blue, green and white. I already have a white pair.
When is the last time you went out in the rain with a pair of buck shoes?

I don't have that secret, but I definitely want it. Please let the cat out of the bag. Thanks!

You are absolutely right about the black (and blue, and green) buck shoes. ("Black buck". Sounds like a line from "Gone With the Wind".) Buck was also made in brown, and in grey.

I've had white buck ruined by everything but rain. Sprinklers, small puddles, and spilled drinks (not mine!) did the trick.

 

[Indy Magnoli]

I've been searching for navy spectator pumps for ages. Could you do lady's shoes with higher heel?

At the moment I'm concentrating on mens' clothing only. I'll keep you posted of any change in this.

Kind regards,
Indy

 

[16_sparrows]

At the moment I'm concentrating on mens' clothing only. I'll keep you posted of any change in this.

Kind regards,
Indy

Please keep me posted on this as well. If you ever get into ladies shoes I think you'd make a killing from us big-footed girls. So hard to find anything larger than a 7.

 

[jml90]

Too bad I'm strapped for cash. But how about a tan and white spectator a Jhodpur boot and wholecuts
I have a wide foot so every balmoral has a silly gap in the laces

 

[Indy Magnoli]

If you ever come into a little cash, let me know and we could certainly work out those boots. I should still be able to give you the special price too.

Kind regards,
Indy

 

[jamespowers]

I don't have that secret, but I definitely want it. Please let the cat out of the bag. Thanks!

You are absolutely right about the black (and blue, and green) buck shoes. ("Black buck". Sounds like a line from "Gone With the Wind".) Buck was also made in brown, and in grey.

I've had white buck ruined by everything but rain. Sprinklers, small puddles, and spilled drinks (not mine!) did the trick.

So I have something that is a secret eh? Hmmmm... That could be worth a lot of money to some. Hmmmm... I start taking bids at $10.
Gee, you have to be more careful with those buck shoes when you wear them. I get black scuffs on mine every single time I wear white bucks. Good thing there is and easy fix. It just wipes off and makes the buck waterproof afterwards to boot. Did I mention it also removes that lousy "white paint" they put over buck?

Regards,

J

 

[PrettySquareGal]

My three guinea pigs decline.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

The scans will be ready tomorrow (this Friday), Indy. I'll send them to you then.

 

[jamespowers]

Ok, what am I going to have to shell out for The Exmore in all black instead of all white?

Regards,

J

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Speaking of the "Exmore" ... look closely at the shoe on the far right of the picture. It has that gummy sole and heel that I mentioned earlier. It was this kind of shoe that gave the name "gumshoe" to private detectives, who presumably wore them.

 

[jamespowers]

Speaking of the "Exmore" ... look closely at the shoe on the far right of the picture. It has that gummy, yellowish brown sole and heel that I mentioned earlier. It was this kind of shoe that gave the name "gumshoe" to private detectives, who presumably wore them.

Think Exmore to the left. No gum soled shoes for me.

Regards,

J

 

[Indy Magnoli]

Ok, what am I going to have to shell out for The Exmore in all black instead of all white?

$210 should cover it. PM me for more details... which mean Marc may need to send me another scan...

Kind regards,
Indy

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Marc doesn't own a scanner, which means that he's been scanning stuff at a copy store down the street. It ain't free, either. Does anyone care to compensate poor ol' Marc?