How many of you are into shoes... (Dress Shoes)?

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Nice looking shoes! And for $150, you can't beat that deal.

Thanks, Wes

[MickCollins1916]

Casual day today, so rocking my Ranger on BBN's fabric strap along with Alden #8 shell cordovan cap toe boots on the Grant last.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

Casual day today, so rocking my Ranger on BBN's fabric strap along with Alden #8 shell cordovan cap toe boots on the Grant last.

Nice, but they look like they could use a bit of buffing.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Nice, but they look like they could use a bit of buffing.

Totally fair point...that occurred to me as well this morning. However, as the weather I had to trudge through is crappy, decided to skip it.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

Totally fair point...that occurred to me as well this morning. However, as the weather I had to trudge through is crappy, decided to skip it.

Understand, in fact that's why I don't ever wear my cordovan shoes or boots in crappy weather. Generally it requires way too much work to get them looking good again.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Understand, in fact that's why I don't ever wear my cordovan shoes or boots in crappy weather. Generally it requires way too much work to get them looking good again.

So true! This is one of my "beater" pairs, on which I had a rubber outsole installed. I've been wearing them in bad weather, to dive bars, and other places in which they'll take a beating, for nearly a decade now. The Grant last is really comfortable for me, and I love these boots. I do owe them some proper TLC, that's for sure. I have a pair of #8 wingtip boots on the same last (that also could use a proper buffing, come to think of it) that might see wear this week as well.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

So true! This is one of my "beater" pairs, on which I had a rubber outsole installed. I've been wearing them in bad weather, to dive bars, and other places in which they'll take a beating, for nearly a decade now. The Grant last is really comfortable for me, and I love these boots. I do owe them some proper TLC, that's for sure. I have a pair of #8 wingtip boots on the same last (that also could use a proper buffing, come to think of it) that might see wear this week as well.

I actually choose the cap toes from JCrew which are on the Barrie Last.

[Abdullah71601]

Finally finished all the cleanup chores around the farm. Time to put my feet up and relax. Lucchese's today.

`

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Finally finished all the cleanup chores around the farm. Time to put my feet up and relax. Lucchese's today.

`

Very nice, Lucchese makes a real nice cowboy boot.

I have 2 pairs myself.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Very nice, Lucchese makes a real nice cowboy boot.

I have 2 pairs myself.

These are 10 year old goat and fit like a nice pair of slippers.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

These are 10 year old goat and fit like a nice pair of slippers.

That among other things are the kind of things you experience when buying anything of good quality.

[dilip]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

Casual day today, so rocking my Ranger on BBN's fabric strap along with Alden #8 shell cordovan cap toe boots on the Grant last.

I have those Paul Smith socks :)

[Wesley Crusher]

I picked up a pair of C&J cordovan penny loafers this week. They were marked as RL Marlows, but I actually think that they're the earlier Darltons. The loafers are marked as "Polo Ralph Lauren" vs "Ralph Lauren" so I am fairly certain that they're not Marlows. The shell is also very light in color (similar to whiskey), which is common of the early Darltons, but not the Marlows.

The loafers appear to have been worn once for maybe an hour or so. They're practically new, but the shell feels like plastic and there is some white buildup. These shoes must be at least 5 years old (if I had to guess) and I think that there is quite a bit of old wax buildup that needs to be removed. I'm not sure of the previous owner waxed these, but they feel somewhat unnatural.

I plan on "restoring" them this weekend. I think a bit of renovateur, cordovan cream, and a whole lot of brushing should do the trick. I'll document the process.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I picked up a pair of C&J cordovan penny loafers this week. They were marked as RL Marlows, but I actually think that they're the earlier Darltons. The loafers are marked as "Polo Ralph Lauren" vs "Ralph Lauren" so I am fairly certain that they're not Marlows. The shell is also very light in color (similar to whiskey), which is common of the early Darltons, but not the Marlows.

The loafers appear to have been worn once for maybe an hour or so. They're practically new, but the shell feels like plastic and there is some white buildup. These shoes must be at least 5 years old (if I had to guess) and I think that there is quite a bit of old wax buildup that needs to be removed. I'm not sure of the previous owner waxed these, but they feel somewhat unnatural.

I plan on "restoring" them this weekend. I think a bit of renovateur, cordovan cream, and a whole lot of brushing should do the trick. I'll document the process.

Darlton vs Marlow, either way its C&Js and in my opinion that makes them a good buy. Congrats Wes and let us know how they turn out. Can't wait to see your pics.

[PatrickJ]

Do they all come with box and papers?

[Bocktagon]

Anyone know where to go to get the best price on John lobbs?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Bocktagon

Anyone know where to go to get the best price on John lobbs?

You can find factory seconds and discontinued models here - http://www.bespoke-england.co.uk/

Ebay , the Style Forum Buy&Sell, and local ads are a good source for slightly used shoes (such as wrong size purchases).

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Bocktagon

Anyone know where to go to get the best price on John lobbs?

Also check out this thread for some good info on John Lobb as well.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/337243/j...n-thread/0_100

But as mentioned http://www.bespoke-england.co.uk/ this is a great placer to start, it's just unfortunate you missed out on their big seconds sale earlier this year.

[Wesley Crusher]

Hi, guys. Hope you're all having a nice weekend so far.

As promised, here are my Darlton/Marlow loafers.

From 5 feet away the shoes don't look bad. A closer inspection reveals the real issues.

Like I previously said, I think these loafers have been sitting for a number of years. Whatever polish/wax that was on these had hardened, creating a dull, "glazed" look all over. The buildup was evident around the stitching and underneath the flap. The polish/wax buildup, combined with the fat/oil that is naturally expressed from cordovan also left the shoes feeling very tacky.

Time to get to work...

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Hi, guys. Hope you're all having a nice weekend so far.

As promised, here are my Darlton/Marlow loafers.

From 5 feet away the shoes don't look bad. A closer inspection reveals the real issues.

Like I previously said, I think these loafers have been sitting for a number of years. Whatever polish/wax that was on these had hardened, creating a dull, "glazed" look all over. The buildup was evident around the stitching and underneath the flap. The polish/wax buildup, combined with the fat/oil that is naturally expressed from cordovan also left the shoes feeling very tacky.

Time to get to work...

Can't wait to see these cleaned up Wes.

[Wesley Crusher]

I started off by giving the shoes a thorough brushing for 10 minutes. I followed this with a 5-minute wipe down with a damp cloth. After letting the shoes dry for a few minutes, I hit them with the brush again for about 10 minutes.

At this point, most of the buildup had been removed.

I applied a light coat of Reno to the shoes, making sure to rub it in very well. I allowed the shoes to sit for about 10 minutes in order to soak up the Reno. I followed this with another thorough brushing.

The shine was starting to come through.

I applied a light coat of neutral cordovan cream and also let it sit for about 10 minutes. Again, a thorough brushing followed.

I worked on the shoes for a little over an hour, but it was worth it. I brought back the natural luster of the cordovan! The shoes also feel very smooth and hydrated. One shoe was noticeably darker than the other, but they're now both very closely matched.

I am very happy with how they turned out!

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I started off by giving the shoes a thorough brushing for 10 minutes. I followed this with a 5-minute wipe down with a damp cloth. After letting the shoes dry for a few minutes, I hit them with the brush again for about 10 minutes.

At this point, most of the buildup had been removed.

I applied a light coat of Reno to the shoes, making sure to rub it in very well. I allowed the shoes to sit for about 10 minutes in order to soak up the Reno. I followed this with another thorough brushing.

The shine was starting to come through.

I applied a light coat of neutral cordovan cream and also let it sit for about 10 minutes. Again, a thorough brushing followed.

I worked on the shoes for a little over an hour, but it was worth it. I brought back the natural luster of the cordovan! The shoes also feel very smooth and hydrated. One shoe was noticeably darker than the other, but they're now both very closely matched.

I am very happy with how they turned out!

Pretty short wait.

They look great Wes.

[Wesley Crusher]

The before/after pics may not seem like a big change, but the difference is 100% noticeable in person. I promise. :)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The before/after pics may not seem like a big change, but the difference is 100% noticeable in person. I promise. :)

I can see the difference in the crispness of the glaze along the sides. They look much sharper.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Pretty short wait.

They look great Wes.

The magic of the internet!

Thanks. I initially thought about putting on some wax to bring out more of a shine, but I am happy with how they turned out.

[locutus49]

That is a great looking pair of shoes and they should last you a lifetime.

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The before/after pics may not seem like a big change, but the difference is 100% noticeable in person. I promise. :)

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I can see the difference in the crispness of the glaze along the sides. They look much sharper.

Originally Posted by locutus49

That is a great looking pair of shoes and they should last you a lifetime.

Thanks for the kind words, John. The cordovan bug bit me hard this past year.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I started off by giving the shoes a thorough brushing for 10 minutes. I followed this with a 5-minute wipe down with a damp cloth. After letting the shoes dry for a few minutes, I hit them with the brush again for about 10 minutes.

At this point, most of the buildup had been removed.

I applied a light coat of Reno to the shoes, making sure to rub it in very well. I allowed the shoes to sit for about 10 minutes in order to soak up the Reno. I followed this with another thorough brushing.

The shine was starting to come through.

I applied a light coat of neutral cordovan cream and also let it sit for about 10 minutes. Again, a thorough brushing followed.

I worked on the shoes for a little over an hour, but it was worth it. I brought back the natural luster of the cordovan! The shoes also feel very smooth and hydrated. One shoe was noticeably darker than the other, but they're now both very closely matched.

I am very happy with how they turned out!

Looking good, Great Job!!! That's one of good things with cordovan, with just a little work they really can look almost good as new.

[Bocktagon]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You can find factory seconds and discontinued models here - http://www.bespoke-england.co.uk/



Ebay , the Style Forum Buy&Sell, and local ads are a good source for slightly used shoes (such as wrong size purchases).

This is an awesome website, thank you. Has anyone ordered from here? How long did shipping take? Also, are the sizes UK or US?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Bocktagon

This is an awesome website, thank you. Has anyone ordered from here? How long did shipping take? Also, are the sizes UK or US?

I have not but you will see some feedback from some users here.



http://www.styleforum.net/t/337243/j...n-thread/0_100


I know when they had the bigger sale earlier this year it was so big they got a bit overwhelmed. Overall I believe they are reputable but for good feedback from more people I would checkout the thread I supplied.

You could also checkout the G&G appreciation thread on the same forum as there maybe some feedback their as well since the sell G&G shoes also.