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

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Alright. So my Daltons came in. Fit is great, finishing isn't but for a sale price, I'm fine with them.

One problem though, both are squeaking like crazy. Seems to be coming from the tongue.

Hopefully it goes away after wearing them a few times.

Congrats. Some of my shoes squeezed when new, but that stopped after a few wears.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Congrats. Some of my shoes squeezed when new, but that stopped after a few wears.

Thanks!

I may or may not have just spent the last 30 minutes applying whatever leather conditioner that AE sells. Repeated a few times after they dried. Softened up a lot and not hearing it or at least it's nowhere near as loud.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Thanks!

I may or may not have just spent the last 30 minutes applying whatever leather conditioner that AE sells. Repeated a few times after they dried. Softened up a lot and not hearing it or at least it's nowhere near as loud.

I highly recommend Bick 4 leather conditioner. I use it on everything from Redwing to Edward Green and it it's pretty inexpensive as well.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I highly recommend Bick 4 leather conditioner. I use it on everything from Redwing to Edward Green and it it's pretty inexpensive as well.

Thank you.

Just ordered the 16oz bottle. Reviews on Amazon are amazing. Must be good stuff.

[Wesley Crusher]

I second Dan's Bick4 reccomandation. It's one of the best products I've ever used.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

Thank you.

Just ordered the 16oz bottle. Reviews on Amazon are amazing. Must be good stuff.

No problem, I think it's a fabulous product.

[Prestige_Swiss]

I was walking around DSW with the wife and came across these. I’m a sucker for wing tips. Kenneth Cole for those wondering the brand. I had no clue he made shoes like this.




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[Syed117]

BTW, how do you guys recommend using any of these leather conditioners?

I normally just put on a latex glove and massage it into the leather by hand.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Syed117

BTW, how do you guys recommend using any of these leather conditioners?

I normally just put on a latex glove and massage it into the leather by hand.

I prefer to use an old soft cotton tshirt.

[Wesley Crusher]

Yup, I also use old cotton t shirts.

[Abdullah71601]

Cotton balls.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Syed117

BTW, how do you guys recommend using any of these leather conditioners?

I normally just put on a latex glove and massage it into the leather by hand.

I use the old style cotton diapers. Not old used cotton diapers, but bought new for shoe and boot use. I find the old style cotton diaper the best thing I’ve found for using when attempting to get that really high shine. In the military I went from cotton balls, to T-shirt’s, and finally settled on cotton diapers. Buy them on Amazon in packs of 12.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Congrats. Some of my shoes squeezed when new, but that stopped after a few wears.

I have the same boots and find they break in very well, but the squeaking did not go away on its own. I did try the Bick 4 and it solved the problem for a few wears - but it always came back.

What works the best is a dab of Aquaphor or Vaseline to the inner liner around the eyelets. After two applications, the squeaking did not return again. I dont think this will do too much harm the the leather so it has become my go to fix for squeaks on other boots as well. One or two treatments and squeaking gone.

[Fredrik]

My Daltons squeaked a lot when new too. I used Bic 4 to get rid of it, they are so far the only pair I have/had that squeaked. My shoemaker told me that in the old days some people wanted them to make their shoes squeak to make them appear new.

[Syed117]

Got it.

Also left my watch in the picture in case there is ever a "show your Rolex with your leather conditioner / polish" thread.

Also going to try it on a leather strap I just got. It's way too stiff. Hopefully this will soften it up.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Not quite Northampton (Kettering), but pretty close.

Nice!

I just recently put a pair like these on order with George Cleverley while they were making the rounds in their US Trunk show...but in all black calf, with the traditional chiseled toe that Bespoke maker is known for. Hope I will be breaking them in, in about a year.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Speed

Nice!

I just recently put a pair like these on order with George Cleverley while they were making the rounds in their US Trunk show...but in all black calf, with the traditional chiseled toe that Bespoke maker is known for. Hope I will be breaking them in, in about a year.

A year wait for a pair of bespoke shoes seems pretty reasonable to me. I think I waited 9 months for my Galways and that was just a MTO.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

A year wait for a pair of bespoke shoes seems pretty reasonable to me. I think I waited 9 months for my Galways and that was just a MTO.

Understood Wes...

And it could be longer or shorter - depending on how many set of adjustments I may need.

It’s just a mindset / patience adjustment for a newbie like me. Must be like waiting for a FP Journe or older Patek to get serviced!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Speed

Understood Wes...

And it could be longer or shorter - depending on how many set of adjustments I may need.

It’s just a mindset / patience adjustment for a newbie like me. Must be like waiting for a FP Journe or older Patek to get serviced!

Congrats!!


I waited up to a year for more than a few. At times it did help to have few in the que arriving every couple of months or so Just remember that those things in life that are really worth having or getting are worth waiting for.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Speed

Understood Wes...

And it could be longer or shorter - depending on how many set of adjustments I may need.

It’s just a mindset / patience adjustment for a newbie like me. Must be like waiting for a FP Journe or older Patek to get serviced!

Well, however long the wait is, it’s still shorter than the wait for ravello Aldens.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Speed

Nice!

I just recently put a pair like these on order with George Cleverley while they were making the rounds in their US Trunk show...but in all black calf, with the traditional chiseled toe that Bespoke maker is known for. Hope I will be breaking them in, in about a year.

I saw a picture of Dan's and had them made on an MTO. The MH71 last fits me so well that I can't justify a bespoke shoe as long as G&G is willing to put anything I want together on that last. I found them quite amenable to any reasonable request.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Well, however long the wait is, it’s still shorter than the wait for ravello Aldens.

Even though I had a period where purchased a good number of cordovan shoes and boots I never really lusted for a pair myself. I did however want a pair of nice walnut cordovan boots and a pair of Rider Boot Co boots filled that void real well. However once I started getting a few antiqued shoes and boots from EG I never looked back anyway. Calf if done right is way more interesting in the first place if you ask me.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Even though I had a period where purchased a good number of cordovan shoes and boots I never really lusted for a pair myself. I did however want a pair of nice walnut cordovan boots and a pair of Rider Boot Co boots filled that void real well. However once I started getting a few antiqued shoes and boots from EG I never looked back anyway. Calf if done right is way more interesting in the first place if you ask me.

I'd rather have calf than shell any day. The various museum/antique/vintage/misty varieties are amazing. I've never seen shell with the inherent beauty and character of museum calf.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I saw a picture of Dan's and had them made on an MTO. The MH71 last fits me so well that I can't justify a bespoke shoe as long as G&G is willing to put anything I want together on that last. I found them quite amenable to any reasonable request.

Thats cool. I've got (short) flat-ass feet. Plus, the idea of a couple pairs of custom shoes is of greater interest to me these days. Maybe I need to look into finding the perfect last for some MTO action. Have not been to London in a decade. Perhaps I can do a shoe-pilgrimage next time.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thats cool. I've got (short) flat-ass feet. Plus, the idea of a couple pairs of custom shoes is of greater interest to me these days. Maybe I need to look into finding the perfect last for some MTO action. Have not been to London in a decade. Perhaps I can do a shoe-pilgrimage next time.

Although that would be cool it might not be necessary. i imagine a trunk show or two for a couple of different brands and their representatives might be able to assist with this.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Although that would be cool it might not be necessary. i imagine a trunk show or two for a couple of different brands and their representatives might be able to assist with this.

Oh of course. Not necessary by any stretch. Few luxuries (watches - cough, cough) are

I will keep an eye out for trunk shows in my neck of the woods.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Speed

Oh of course. Not necessary by any stretch. Few luxuries (watches - cough, cough) are

I will keep an eye out for trunk shows in my neck of the woods.

A shoe pilgrimage to England is on my vacation list.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thats cool. I've got (short) flat-ass feet. Plus, the idea of a couple pairs of custom shoes is of greater interest to me these days. Maybe I need to look into finding the perfect last for some MTO action. Have not been to London in a decade. Perhaps I can do a shoe-pilgrimage next time.

Since you’re going bespoke, are they doing anything with the last to help with your flat feet (e.g., building extra arch support)? I have flat feet too.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Since you’re going bespoke, are they doing anything with the last to help with your flat feet (e.g., building extra arch support)? I have flat feet too.

We'll see Wes.

I suspect that level of detail re: support may come after the very first fitting.

This is my first Bespoke rodeo, but I am imagining they get the top / sides of the fit squared away first, then address things like support when they build the permanent sole.

The first sole is just a temp to hold the shoe together, as I understand. However, others here may be able to comment more precisely.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Speed

Oh of course. Not necessary by any stretch. Few luxuries (watches - cough, cough) are

I will keep an eye out for trunk shows in my neck of the woods.

I know, just thinking the trunk show might be an easier or quicker fix. Besides even a trip overseas doesn’t mean the main store will stock the size you’ll need as they often stock only the common sizes based on my understanding from what I have read.