Show us your SHOES !!!

[Two Types]

Come on gents. I don't think Tomasso made any great claims regarding the quality of AE shoes. He simply said he believed they had improved their range.

Surely you should be celebrating any improvement?

Furthermore, you both seem to agree that British makers provide better value for money. Your opinions are probably closer than you realise.

 

[Isshinryu101]

Of course you are correct, my friend.

However, "AE have really upped their game. I recall be skeptical a few years ago when their new CEO promised as much and darned if he didn't follow through. "

What does this even mean? My issue is with people that give positive reviews for items that they don't even own or use. LATER he said they have more models now. That is "upping their game"? They sure as heck raised their prices... to $365. Same inconsistent quality and mostly mediocre CG leather.

People read reviews like that and assume the reviewer actually USES the product they endorse. When one does not, it is a pure lie.

 

[Isshinryu101]

On their current model dress shoes, they use 5 to 5 1/2 stitches per inch to sew the goodyear welt. This is on par with what you get from 3rd world countries today. My lamentation comes from the fact that their quality has really dipped.

Using the same goodyear machines, they used to use 9-10 stitches per inch in the 1940's. This is not a single drop-off, either. I have handled AE shoes from the 1970's and 1980's that still were in the 6-8 range. 5 is just unacceptable, in my opinion... especially given the approaching $400 price.

 

[The Shooman]

We all know Vass is excellent, those Church's are perhaps one of the most "eye appealing" models made. I do recall a few years ago someone had the same model shoe but was made from oxhide and wow they were just great looking. If they would have been a larger size, we would have purchased them

Yes, can't beat the half brogue oxford, and when done in Church's wonderful black colour it is a winner of the highest order. I have now polished those Church's half brogues up to a mirror shine.

I have a habit of winning bids if the shoe is really nice and something wanted. I think just one time, "Cookie" was bidding on a pair of NOS mesh style, and after the price hit $300.00 (or some place around there) I just stopped bidding and normally go up like $500.00 to make sure I do win the bids. I am thankful I stopped as it was great to see Cookie win them. They were I think from the 1940's, white threaded welt, really sharp and the nice vintage brown that we don't see anywhere today. I tend to try to keep the price tag for shoes below $250.00 a pair if I can, but at times I will let go on placing an high bid so I can win them. The Vass shoes I purchased were an "eBay" special that you would have a choice of 3 shoes from the different lasts available and some various selection as to leather and color and finish to pick from. I felt I had a good deal, it was not much maybe $2,000.00 total and they were not too long to finally be made. Only one pair of those shoes have been worn outside.

Good stories.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

On their current model dress shoes, they use 5 to 5 1/2 stitches per inch to sew the goodyear welt. This is on par with what you get from 3rd world countries today. My lamentation comes from the fact that their quality has really dipped.

Using the same goodyear machines, they used to use 9-10 stitches per inch in the 1940's. This is not a single drop-off, either. I have handled AE shoes from the 1970's and 1980's that still were in the 6-8 range. 5 is just unacceptable, in my opinion... especially given the approaching $400 price.

We all know that the USA made shoes are going the way of the Dinosaurs, slowly becoming extinct. Few shoe manufacturing companies left. However, as true as what you do say about the AE line of shoes, other than Alden, not much left to pick from. Some of the really nice British shoes (as least any we would have here in our home) are a bit more pricey than AE but on par with Alden. Not too long ago, I purchased a pair of Barker shoes, and have to sadly say, I sent them right back. They had no quality in their construction, they looked nice to the eye, but for as thick as the soles were, they felt like a Nike brand running shoe. Very light weight and I am sure they would not last very long if worn often. They were about $360.00 plus shipping from across the pond. Now I am sure not all Barker shoes are that junkie, at least I would hope not? But for that much money, there is no logical way I would want to spend the money to find out the rest of their shoe line is so cheaply made. Church is a top notch shoe as I also find a few other British shoe makers are worth the extra money for what they produce. Cheaney also makes a few models that are good quality shoes.

Italian shoes....they make some junk and they make some that are super nice. You have to be picky on it. One thing about any Italian brand shoe makers to remember, they may be light but have some top notch leather and hand made for very good quality. And some Italian shoes are built like tanks. Recall the shoes that Nucky Thompson wore in Boardwalk Empire? Heavy well made Italian Wingtip Spectator Gunboats, (they actually have three colors of Italian Calf leather).http://www.forzieri.com/mens-shoes/forzieri/fz43114-010-00
For a few bones past the $600.00 mark, and shipping maybe an additional $40.00, these can be yours. I have almost purchased these for Daniel about a dozen times and then changed my mind about it. Nothing wrong at all with the shoes, have met one person that has a pair, deadly weapons if anyone kicks you wearing them, really heavy and nice.

Moreschi also makes a super high quality shoe. Not all of their shoes, just most of them and most are hand made. Again the price is up there.

So I think (better than a shoe made in timbucktwo) the AE line is a choice most people are going to run with. True the AE shoes even made in the 1960's were much better, but what can you do...

This is why I shop for vintage as much as I can for any mens shoes. You get a whole lot of shoe if you buy vintage and not too many vintage shoe sellers are asking $600.00 for the shoes they have for sale. I think that if you averaged a price for vintage shoes that are nice, (some NOS) about $200-300 is perhaps the norm.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Yes, can't beat the half brogue oxford, and when done in Church's wonderful black colour it is a winner of the highest order. I have now polished those Church's half brogues up to a mirror shine.





Good stories.

I always keep looking for those shoes/model Church in my Husband's size that are in NOS or close to it shape.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?&brandid=6&shoeid=7727
These are so very tempting to buy as well!

As for most of the well known British brand name shoes, I think if you cannot find what you are seeking from eBay, this would be one of the best sources for purchasing from "across the pond".

 

[cookie]

I actually saw a pair of NOS Fozieri Nuckies in my size on eBay. But the love was not there.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I actually saw a pair of NOS Fozieri Nuckies in my size on eBay. But the love was not there.

If the shoes do not sell, (the seller is clueless about pricing issues on resale values of shoes on eBay), perhaps a sort of co operation can help bring down the asking price? How to do that???? Contact the seller and have that person be more or less told that the price is far too close to buying new directly from Fozieri and that it may be hard for the shoes to be sold. IF a few people do that, the seller would maybe stop to think about a price drop. It will happen eventually unless someone buys the shoes like "Blind Bob"...lol!

If the price on them would be a bit closer to $400.00.....(sigh).....lol look out!

 

[Isshinryu101]

https://www.shoehealer.co.uk/

Top UK dealer of fine shoes. Trickers are very under-rated here in the U.S. They have a certain heft to them that is reminiscent of the US 40's True Gunboats.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Folks

No marking's on the interior of these's wingtips. The marking on the heel reads O'Sullivans. Clearly not vintage quality however I was in the market for a decent well made pair of wingtips and the price was under $15.00..

Any info on O'Sullivans would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to all the contributors on this thread... I have learned much and I also enjoy looking at the great collections...

Best regards.

CCJ

 

[Isshinryu101]

View attachment 13196 View attachment 13197 View attachment 13198

Hi Folks

No marking's on the interior of these's wingtips. The marking on the heel reads O'Sullivans. Clearly not vintage quality however I was in the market for a decent well made pair of wingtips and the price was under $15.00..

Any info on O'Sullivans would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to all the contributors on this thread... I have learned much and I also enjoy looking at the great collections...

Best regards.

CCJ

O'Sullivan makes those replacement heels, not the shoes.

 

[countryclubjoe]

O'Sullivan makes those replacement heels, not the shoes.

Thank you for your reply.
REgards
CCJ

 

[LoveMyHats2]

O' Sullivan heels came on Mason shoes (and yes are also manufactured for replacement in competition with Goodyear, Cats Paw, and many others I cannot recall at the moment).

There is a chance the wingtips shoes you have are Mason brand. It does appear at one point in time those shoes have had a "half sole" replaced. More than likely, the wingtips are from the late 1960's to newer than that. Mason made shoes during that time period that were more affordable and built like a tank. They did not make anything fancy or of any upper quality leather in the 1960's-to todays date, but they also did not charge much for what they did make. Better known for their work shoes and boots, but have always had a variety of shoes and boots that are well made. If I had to buy a pair of wingtips today, new, and only had $150.00 or less to spend, it would be my first pick, Mason brand. They are actually today perhaps better made than the new line of Florsheim. Perhaps on par with what Florsheim is making in the way of what leather is being used. Mason has some deals and you can have them send you a catalog to shop from. They are always having some sale and discounts available. Also not all Mason shoes or boots are made in a third world country. If you see anything on a catalog from Mason and there is an American flag logo on that shoe or boot part of the Ad, it is Made in the USA.

 

[countryclubjoe]

O' Sullivan heels came on Mason shoes (and yes are also manufactured for replacement in competition with Goodyear, Cats Paw, and many others I cannot recall at the moment).

There is a chance the wingtips shoes you have are Mason brand. It does appear at one point in time those shoes have had a "half sole" replaced. More than likely, the wingtips are from the late 1960's to newer than that. Mason made shoes during that time period that were more affordable and built like a tank. They did not make anything fancy or of any upper quality leather in the 1960's-to todays date, but they also did not charge much for what they did make. Better known for their work shoes and boots, but have always had a variety of shoes and boots that are well made. If I had to buy a pair of wingtips today, new, and only had $150.00 or less to spend, it would be my first pick, Mason brand. They are actually today perhaps better made than the new line of Florsheim. Perhaps on par with what Florsheim is making in the way of what leather is being used. Mason has some deals and you can have them send you a catalog to shop from. They are always having some sale and discounts available. Also not all Mason shoes or boots are made in a third world country. If you see anything on a catalog from Mason and there is an American flag logo on that shoe or boot part of the Ad, it is Made in the USA.

Thank you for your reply.
CCJ

 

[LoveMyHats2]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HANDMADE-MENS-SHOES-/321006272419?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item4abd76ffa3

If you check this eBay seller out, you can see all the all handmade shoes he makes, the price is amazingly low for what he is making, and makes more than just some really nice looking shoes.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Thank you for your reply.
CCJ

Oh you are so very welcome!

 

[Isshinryu101]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HANDMADE-MENS-SHOES-/321006272419?pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item4abd76ffa3

If you check this eBay seller out, you can see all the all handmade shoes he makes, the price is amazingly low for what he is making, and makes more than just some really nice looking shoes.

EVERYONE claims "handmade" now. I am VERY dubious of these claims. The pair you showed has a storm welt... which is almost always associated with Goodyear construction. Goodyear is NOT truly "handmade". It is made with a machine, and is ultimately held together with glue.

 

[Isshinryu101]

O' Sullivan heels came on Mason shoes (and yes are also manufactured for replacement in competition with Goodyear, Cats Paw, and many others I cannot recall at the moment).

There is a chance the wingtips shoes you have are Mason brand. It does appear at one point in time those shoes have had a "half sole" replaced. More than likely, the wingtips are from the late 1960's to newer than that. Mason made shoes during that time period that were more affordable and built like a tank. They did not make anything fancy or of any upper quality leather in the 1960's-to todays date, but they also did not charge much for what they did make. Better known for their work shoes and boots, but have always had a variety of shoes and boots that are well made. If I had to buy a pair of wingtips today, new, and only had $150.00 or less to spend, it would be my first pick, Mason brand. They are actually today perhaps better made than the new line of Florsheim. Perhaps on par with what Florsheim is making in the way of what leather is being used. Mason has some deals and you can have them send you a catalog to shop from. They are always having some sale and discounts available. Also not all Mason shoes or boots are made in a third world country. If you see anything on a catalog from Mason and there is an American flag logo on that shoe or boot part of the Ad, it is Made in the USA.

Literally every US maker had a version of the Gunboat during the 70's. From Bostonian to Florsheim to Allen Edmonds to Johnston & Murphy to Nettleton... and so on. Without viewing the interior writing and footbed stamp, impossible to discern one from another.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

EVERYONE claims "handmade" now. I am VERY dubious of these claims. The pair you showed has a storm welt... which is almost always associated with Goodyear construction. Goodyear is NOT truly "handmade". It is made with a machine, and is ultimately held together with glue.

Spend some time taking a peek at his work, his other listings shoe a picture "history" of stages of him making the shoes. Some shoes he states "goodyear welting" and one picture shows the welt being hand sewn on. From what I can see, his shoes are well worth what he is asking for. Close inspection of his sewing on the shoes in general you can tell the stitching is not being done by a machine. Is he another "Vass" shoe maker? Perhaps not but for the price, hard to beat from what I can see. In fact, if he does continue to have shoes like these listed, I am sure to purchase one pair from him.