Show us your SHOES !!!

[cookie]

Very nice AEs, bl@ster. I particularly like the boots!

I like the shell saddles.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Yes the colors and look of those saddle shoes are nice. Pain to keep the "rolling" crease look out of shell leather, but it can be done with a lot of conditioner applied to both the inside and outside of the shoes when brand new and not worn yet, then after being worn, as soon as the shoes come off, apply conditioner inside and out, then install the shoe trees snugly to help pull out any rolling creasing.

 

[Isshinryu101]

Yes the colors and look of those saddle shoes are nice. Pain to keep the "rolling" crease look out of shell leather, but it can be done with a lot of conditioner applied to both the inside and outside of the shoes when brand new and not worn yet, then after being worn, as soon as the shoes come off, apply conditioner inside and out, then install the shoe trees snugly to help pull out any rolling creasing.

The quality of the shell, as well as the direction of the "grain" play huge factors as well. Improper fit (flexing the uppers too high toward the lacing) also changes the way shell develops those rolls. In the end, it is best to embrace the rolls, as this is the identifier of shell anyway.

 

[countryclubjoe]

I cannot speak for the entire history of Nettleton Shoes, but from what we have observed in what Nettleton shoes we have had come into our home, they are very nice well made shoes. The company perhaps almost took a complete nose dive for some time, and may have had some real financial issues but they are back on top now with some top shelf shoes....for a even larger top shelf price tag. I cannot say what they are selling today is really a price equals value deal, as yes they do use some decent leather and are made well...but there price may not reflect a desire for most people to part with that much money. I think most of the dress shoes they make are priced at $700.00 ( I will check now on that figure)....$795.00 base price for their shoes and have some higher end models that can run up to over $2500.00 They claim the shoes are "shoes of worth". Well now that may be debated more than any other shoe topic you could imagine. If you look at finding some deals on expensive shoes, for that sort of money you could save a few dollars up and then look into having something like a Vass brand shoe purchased. Over the past few years and looking into what is out there, Vass will offer some of their shoe models at around the $800.00 mark, or maybe a bit more but not all that much more. And even if the Nettleton shoes are entirely hand made, they are not close to the level of over all quality as a Vass shoe would be (as for modern shoes). Now if you find some vintage Nettletons and lets say they are NOS perhaps from the 1940's and up until the early 1960's, I think Nettletons are of a really well made shoes. The older ones have always been considered right up there with all the other well made shoes of that time period.

We have a few Nettleton shoes here that are Gunboat Wingtips. The leather is nice, calf skin and fully lined shoes. They were NOS when I purchased them. One pair still never worn yet by Daniel. I think we have one other real old Vintage pair that had been worn only one time that I purchased, they are Spectators (black and white) that from what we have seen, not very common for sale perhaps a rare find.

I think Isshinryu101 has some vintage Nettleton shoes for sale, he may have something that would fit your size?

It would be safe to say, if you find some Nettletons for sale, and they are not totally worn out, they stand a chance at being a deal for you as long as you are not spending an arm and a leg for them. My rule of thumb is, that unless a vintage shoe is sort of rare, NOS, or something you are just frantically in love with the shoe model and material/color/style of shoe, set a budget for the amount you would be willing to pay and just do not cross that line of spending. I shop at times and think, nice shoes....$600.00 price tag....I can keep shopping and find nice shoes.....$200.00 price tag....MUCH nicer now! In time a person can see what is out there enough to know what is a decent price and what is over board. I know Isshinryu101 has one pair of NOS Nettletons that are a 10 1/2M size suede and leather brown with white apron suede apron shoes, that are just stunning looking. Perhaps from the 1940's and those are so sharp looking and rare, not something you are going to see for sale much, well made, hard to beat. The price is up there, but you are looking at value and style and rare all at the same time. You would spend more than his price for a pair of shoes to be "custom made" just like them and in fact, you would have some issues of paying perhaps up to a few grand to even find them being made by a custom shoe maker. It would be such a grind, it would make you think, gee whiz, I should have just paid for the vintage shoes and owned them.

O.K. Novel is about over. Nettleton is up there with the rest of the worth while shoes to own. Not all of them, but most of them. There are some from shoe stores that closed their doors flooding the eBay market that are from the very early 1960's that are Gunboats, and just slide under the wire for still being really good quality. There are also some that are loafers, if you like them, well made. Most older Nettletons if from the 1950's or older, if in decent shape, and are not priced over board, and they fit you and you like them...then grab them up.

Hi Lovemyhats2

This was just what I was looking for, thank you for taking the time.
Best regards
CCJ

 

[LuvMyMan]

Hi Lovemyhats2

This was just what I was looking for, thank you for taking the time.
Best regards
CCJ

You dear sir, are most welcome!

I have my own account now, as it was decided that as much as I have been posting, it would help keep people from being confused as to "whom" was actually posting. I don't mind, and using Daniel's account was sort of weirdo to begin with....but hey....being "here" is what matters!

 

[LuvMyMan]

The quality of the shell, as well as the direction of the "grain" play huge factors as well. Improper fit (flexing the uppers too high toward the lacing) also changes the way shell develops those rolls. In the end, it is best to embrace the rolls, as this is the identifier of shell anyway.

You have to admit (at least for me) that the way shell cordovan can look when creased up a lot, it takes away from how beautiful the shoes are.

Yes, I have my own account now....lol!
Cindy

 

[Isshinryu101]

Nettleton is simply insane! $1500 for shell cordovan loafers??? Vass shell is under the $1000 price tag. They are living in a crazy world all their now, apparently. They look to be Alden quality (pretty decent, but nowhere near top tier).

 

[LuvMyMan]

Nettleton is simply insane! $1500 for shell cordovan loafers??? Vass shell is under the $1000 price tag. They are living in a crazy world all their now, apparently. They look to be Alden quality (pretty decent, but nowhere near top tier).

I totally agree with that about the line of new Nettleton. It is sad as when you go to their current website, if you chat with a sales person, oh lord you are going to be about begged to do something in the way of buying a pair of shoes. They need to learn, many shoe companies, (E.T. Wright) for example, not too long ago folded right up over the price of their shoes. Plus, look at the models of shoes they have....just a few. No large selection. It stinks. I feel badly for them, as I am certain unless they have a major sale, (like half off) they are not going to survive. I have thought about emailing them and letting them know from a shoe buyer as I am, what they need to do and to do it now. Get rid of the "boring" line of shoes, sell new line for a bit less, and design at least 20 shoes for offering. They could be so much better than what they are. I do know they use fairly decent leather, and are perhaps making the shoes well. But they are forgetting one main thing. STYLE!


That is why I stated, Vass is really not a bad deal at all. A very well made shoe, great materials, going to be comfortable, fit right, and last a while. I was just looking at a pair of shoes made by another "budapester" shoe maker, has a pair on eBay for sale, never heard of the shoe maker. BUT they are on par with Vass without a doubt. I think this shoe maker has a nice looking shoe. I will have to go back to eBay and link the auction to post here.

But all in all....this is exactly why I say, if you can find vintage, do it. For the money, vintage is so darn hard to beat. More so if you find a seller that is "clueless" about what they have to sell to begin with. I am sure you have found a deal or two along the way, when a seller had no clue and sold something near NOS or even NOS and let it go for a song and a dance.

 

[The Shooman]

Two new Vass

3636 Alt Wien derby in tan

P2 last black oxford business man shoo

F last in shell v's P2 last in boxcalf

Family Vass shot

Three F last and P2 last at end

- 3636 last
- 3636 last
- Budapester last
- 3636 last
- Budapester

 

[LuvMyMan]

Wow as you can see, the Vass shoes are made so nice. Attraction and function and form. Be it known along the course of some things I am currently selling, a part of what extra income I make will be for a pair of shoes for myself from St.Crispin and having enough left to either buy Daniel a pair of Boots from St. Crispin or another pair of shoes made from the masters making shoes in the Budapest neck of the woods.

Not too off topic at all here but, our local shoe repair guy, the cobbler, that knows so much about shoes and how they are made, is going to work with Daniel on having a few pairs of shoes made! They need to buy some lasts for what they are going to make first. Daniel will have some shoes that are his size, the cobbler some that are his smaller size. This will be something really exciting as even though Daniel is limited in physical functions at the moment, he still knows what style and materials he will have used in the shoes being made. So...now he is going to need some additional materials to make shoes and a pair of boots. The way soles have some "build up" for what some know is called a "fiddle waist" and spade soles are a given. The small paper pegs, (yes those pegs in the shoes are indeed made of paper) for what shoes he makes, and some custom plates for the heels and toe area are all going to be hand made by the cobbler. They should be starting this shoe making adventure before the end of next month.

 

[herringbonekid]

1945 shoe film:

[video=youtube_share;V_abmvsEHfI]http://youtu.be/V_abmvsEHfI[/video]

 

[The Shooman]

Wow as you can see, the Vass shoes are made so nice. Attraction and function and form. Be it known along the course of some things I am currently selling, a part of what extra income I make will be for a pair of shoes for myself from St.Crispin and having enough left to either buy Daniel a pair of Boots from St. Crispin or another pair of shoes made from the masters making shoes in the Budapest neck of the woods.

Ordering from St Crispin shgould be an exciting purchase.

The way soles have some "build up" for what some know is called a "fiddle waist" and spade soles are a given.

You mean bevelled waist? A fiddle back waist is a narrow fiddle shape.

The small paper pegs, (yes those pegs in the shoes are indeed made of paper) for what shoes he makes, and some custom plates for the heels and toe area are all going to be hand made by the cobbler. They should be starting this shoe making adventure before the end of next month.

Paper pegs...not wooden pegs? If they are paper l would love to see a photo. Would also like to see some photos of your cobbler's shoes too if that's o.k.

 

[The Shooman]

1945 shoe film:

Love that short film. :eusa_clap

 

[cookie]

1945 shoe film:

[video=youtube_share;V_abmvsEHfI]http://youtu.be/V_abmvsEHfI[/video]

10 guineas a pair? Cheap even in that era.

 

[LuvMyMan]

Ordering from St Crispin shgould be an exciting purchase.



You mean bevelled waist? A fiddle back waist is a narrow fiddle shape.



Paper pegs...not wooden pegs? If they are paper l would love to see a photo. Would also like to see some photos of your cobbler's shoes too if that's o.k.

The shoes are not made yet, but yes I am sure the pictures will be posted when some are finished. The paper pegs have been around for some time, they are rock hard from what he explained to me. What will be worked on is two pair at a time, one pair he will be making for himself, one that Daniel will do what he can at the time to help get his pair made. As he will have a last for the size that some other person we know wears, I think a pair will be made and given to this person as a gift. No names at this time...but they know they have a pair coming...at least they should know by now! LOL! There is enough material for three pairs each, and due to the way a problem could come about, it was decided to have enough in case a major mistake is made. More than likely everything will come out the way they would want the shoes and boots to come out. Our Cobbler worked under his Father who was the Master Shoe Maker at the Coldwater Michigan Shaw shoe company, so he is very educated about shoes and worked in the factory for a few years.

 

[Foxer55]

I really do like the lines and form of these shoes as opposed to the pointy toe style. Not sure how people wear the pointy toes unless the have really long, narrow bird feet.

 

[Retro Spectator]

I'm new here, matter of fact, this is my first post. I don't know if we are to hide large images in spoiler tags (I can't find them), of if we can leave them be. Although I do not have any actual vintage shoes, I always wear retro style shoes. Here are my 1901 (brand name not date) Wing It spectator shoes. These are my favorite shoes.

I even made a video of them.
[video=youtube;uM8qf-vYFE0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM8qf-vYFE0[/video]

However, I wish I could find reproduction spectator shoes with the top completely white, like these.

 

[herringbonekid]

any New York residents been to 'The Armoury' store yet to drool over the Carminas and St. Crispins ?

http://thearmoury.tumblr.com/

 

[LuvMyMan]

I'm new here, matter of fact, this is my first post. I don't know if we are to hide large images in spoiler tags (I can't find them), of if we can leave them be. Although I do not have any actual vintage shoes, I always wear retro style shoes. Here are my 1901 (brand name not date) Wing It spectator shoes. These are my favorite shoes.

I even made a video of them.
[video=youtube;uM8qf-vYFE0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM8qf-vYFE0[/video]

However, I wish I could find reproduction spectator shoes with the top completely white, like these.

You just missed my selling a pair like those here in the classifieds that were in some very fantastic condition. They were not "reproductions" but the real deal. What size shoe do you wear?

 

[LuvMyMan]

After dinner, I have a pair of shoes to "prep" for selling. These are some vintage women's shoes. They are really in super condition, but suffered a slight "nick" on the toe area that will need to be conditioned and then smoothed out and polished to rid the shoe of the "nick". I will take and post some pictures of what I will do as Daniel has shown me a few hundred times how to do this. It will take a few days of the same conditioning then polish process but the shoes will come out looking perfect. It may help you "clean up" any shoes you may have that suffer a similar shine issue.