Shoes that look better with age...

[Geeman]

Bit of a change for me. 

Crocket and Jones Chelsea number 5 in dark roughout on a danite sole. 

Need to get a dark leather or rough out belt to go with them. 

[Maynard Friedman]

Nice boots. If only there were a beltmaker on this forum…. 🤔

[ChemProfJSpencer]

On 3/26/2024 at 4:52 PM, yung_flynn said:

How are PNW boots for super flat and narrow feet? My Brannock is a little over 13 B for one foot and 12 B for the other, and the size difference can be an issue sometimes. Both are nearly completely flat and overpronate as well, although I prefer not to wear my custom-made orthotics since I was born this way and the orthotics feel a bit unnatural.

I'm considering buying a brown or reddish-brown or burgundy boot, and I'm weighing and waffling on my options. I like the concept (business model and commitment to quality) of Frank's boots (Wilshire, Front Range), but the huge arch of the 55 last gives me some concerns. I'm also considering Alden Indys, probably 403 or 405. Indys might blend more seamlessly into the rest of my style, but I do like the ruggedness and history of the PNW boots.

My work environment and lifestyle also make things a little tricky. I now work in an office most of the time, but I still do pop back into lab for some hands-on time and need some substantial shoes for that light industrial setting. Based on where I live too, I find myself spending a lot of outdoors walking and with yard work.

@yung_flynn If you really want good advice, call up one of the brands. I know White’s has fitted people in your situation for decades, and I’m sure Nick’s and the others would be able to as well. They (the PNW brands) have a variety of lasts including those with less arch support. Give them a call and see—they are generally good people to work with. 

[julian-wolf]

 

MOTO #2121 light brown Latigo in the wild

also feat. Roy Foremans, SC rainbow Okinawa, prob. Dansko clogs, prob. Tender Co. socks

[MJF9]

On 3/28/2024 at 11:44 AM, Maynard Friedman said:

Nice boots. If only there were a beltmaker on this forum…. 🤔

You could ask Crockett and Jones where they get the leather... buy some, ideally a pre made strap... and then it's over to a legendary Scottish beltmaker for the rest...

I did this with John Lofgren... very helpful he was too and boots / belt are a perfect match... as it should ideally be...

[Geeman]

I need a darker belt generally to sit between my black and veg tanned ones so don't need a perfect match just one I can match closer to my roughout,  paraboot and sanders.  

[julian-wolf]

^ Too close of a belt–shoes match ends up looking contrived fast; you’re better off with just a brown + black, or at most a couple shades of each

[Geeman]

1 hour ago, julian-wolf said:

^ Too close of a belt–shoes match ends up looking contrived fast; you’re better off with just a brown + black, or at most a couple shades of each

Yeah pretty much what I said. I have black and a pale veg tan (now aged but still lighter) so a mid darker shade for when wearing darker brown shoes.

Edited March 31 by Geeman

[MJF9]

I think matching belt and shoes look good... they generally age differently so rarely stay in complete lockstep

A colour match works too, of course

But colour mismatches - such as black belt with brown shoes - look rubbish imo... and are only potentially excusable if you get dressed in the dark! 

[cultpop 0217]

 

ACME inspired 1950s/1960s SEARS branded "Roy Rogers"? cowboy boots with decorative stitching and red white and blue "Thunderbird" inlays. 

A bit of a personal holy grail. 

Years ago in the middle of my previous vintage country/ rockabilly dive I starting seeing mid century ads for these ornate old cowboy boots from companies like Nacona, Miller, and ACME. Very common in the middle part of the 20th century due to the popularity of entertainers like Rogers and the ever present Westerns that Hollywood was churning out, these designs grabbed my attention immediately. 

 

After a few lost auctions on EvilBAY and after holding a few pairs of far too gone crumbly examples I had kinda given up hope. Good examples can go for hundreds and they were getting scarcer and scarcer. 

And then these fell into my lap. 

 

 Showing some obvious signs of age but the leather is still robust and they are still very wearable. And the best part?  They are in my exact size. 🖤

These will get a deep condition and a polish, a toppy for the soles and will only be brought out for special occasions and light duty. 

[ChemProfJSpencer]

[spidereye]

Day 1 BREAK-IN 8083 Muleskinner 

Can't wait for the evolution appearance if this bad boy .

[crownzip]

Eastman horsehide tanker boots breaking in nicely.

[vIGGiou riou]

John Lofgren Engineers after 3 months in ...

[cultpop 0217]

Vintage Chippewa with homemade bootstrap and some wide leg LEE jeans. 

 

[cultpop 0217]

And some Vintage Justins. Obsessed. And another pair is on the way (last shot)

[cultpop 0217]

Another new to me pair of vintage Justin's boots. 

[cultpop 0217]

More vintage Justin boots. These are a narrow build but not too snug. Love the heel height.  Pretty fresh Vibram soles too. 

 

[CSL]

Picked up a nice pair of vintage lace-to-toes. The cat seems to approve.

[tod]

Chippewas, worn frequently for 8 years or so.

[julian-wolf]

MOTO #2121, due for a brushing 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spidereye]

Vintage Frank Thomas motorcycle boots.

[cultpop 0217]

1960s SEARS branded ACME Thunderbirds 

 

[cultpop 0217]

No name vintage engineer/harness boots just arrived.  Have bought and sold a few pairs of engineer boots this year because they were either too bulky or too low heeled but found these last week and took a chance. 

Could do without the zipper but it allows for the elegant slimmer profile and the cowboy heel is a perfect height. The soles need new rubber and the heel caps are brittle but the fit is ace.  Great patina too. 

These might be the ones. 

 

[itsbenhere]

RMC Buco Engineers bought at RMC in Tokyo circa 2019! I haven't worn them an insane amount but adds up over the years especially with east coast weather. Gotta clean 'em up soon but thought I'd post them with all their patina before that. Jeans are RJB D105-14FW

 

Edited June 4 by itsbenhere

[vIGGiou riou]

great evolution of the boots ... 

[cultpop 0217]

I might have a boot problem...

 

New to me Vintage late 1940s/ early 1950s Nocona "Pee Wee" cowboy boots with hearts and wings inlays in dark chocolate brown. 

Possibly Kangaroo. Vamps are impossibly soft and relatively unblemished given the age. See the ad below. 

The shaft has a few tears that will need repair but otherwise these are built like tanks. Nearly 75 years old! 

They definitely don't make them like they used to. 

Obsessed with the elegant profile of these.

 The unique shapes of the vintage lasts they used to use on boots were much more interesting and elegant than the generic modern ones. 

Like a vintage Coca-cola bottle compared to modern can. Curves all day. Look at that waist! The taller underslung riding heels certainly help.

Big shout out to Jane and Taylor @theshopoutpost for going above and beyond the call of duty. 

Edited June 7 by cultpop 0217
Details

[cultpop 0217]

[Broark]

Getting a little in the weeds here, but looking to buy a pair of Alden snuff suede loafers.
Is the LHS version (6243F) really that much of an upgrade over the machine sewn version (6221L)?
The general consensus seems to be that the LHS version is higher quality, but I was leaning towards the 6221L given the rubber sole.
Looking at photos online and it's hard to tell much of a difference. Might be easier to tell in person, but I don't have that option unfortunately.
Generally I'm not a fan of leather soles, but most people don't seem to mind the flex leather one from Alden.
6243F:

6221L:

[julian-wolf]

I don’t know anything about Alden, but I’ve never had anything besides good experiences with Topy-style paste-on soles…