Shining The Greatest Shoe Ever made in the USA

[@NPC_maga]

Nice. I have a pair of spade sole wingtips in black from Footjoy. My best estimate on the age is pre-1950 and previous owner claimed they were purchased in the 20s-30s (idk if I trust that tho), and the construction has held up fantastically, despite being visibly worn when I got them for a steal on Ebay. Leather quality is super nice, and even with a cheap Kiwi Parade Gloss, they shine up beautifully. Spade sole is just super classy; and even tho I am shell cordovan or bust at this point, these are the shoes I bring out for any truly formal event.

[@friendlygoz]

They are amazing. Congrats. A member of the vintage shoe styleforum thread had a NOS pair in my size. They didn’t fit him. He sold them to me for an incredible price as long as I promised to wear and enjoy them (and not flip them). It’s an easy promise to keep.

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

You don't see quality shoes anymore. Thank you for being one who refurbishes and restores. I had collected a few pair like that and they were ruined when someone stored them in the rain!

[@peterklus]

Stored them in the rain??? As in an open space outdoors, like a yard? That is not storage -- that is abandonment! It's mystifying to me why anyone would leave anything they cared about in a space open to the elements.

[@upsbear]

I can relate to not wanting anyone to wear them. I picked up a 40 year old pair of Hartt (Canada) oxfords' New Old Stock. I can't bring myself to wear them. Just the thought of grinding them into the pavement horrifies me.

[@danielc9312]

Because you will probably never find the same again. It almost feels like you would be destroying a museum piece.

[@upsbear]

Exactly

[@ya-silly-goose623]

You underestimate the power and privilege of using a rare item for your enjoyment.

[@upsbear]

@@ya-silly-goose623 Maybe. And then I want to enjoy that privilege on a very special occasion.

[@DWilliam1]

When I first started working with a suit in the 1980’s, I only owned 1 pair of shoes for about 4 years(I didn’t have money to buy a second!) and this was it(J &M). It is/was the best shoe I ever owned. Got my first job while wearing it to the interview(they were in person back then).

[@chuckbuckbobuck]

J & M were good shoes till about the mid-90's-my first high end shoes were J&M but then something happened (all started when manufacturing moved to Mexico at that time) and quality and cache went way down. Since I have sold shoes as a second job for years, J & M shoes are shit now! Terrible!

[@ya-silly-goose623]

I have pairs of Trask shoes/boots that are American made and no longer exist. Many have never heard of them, and they made some real nice shoes with a fancy insole system of latex leather over a higher quality ortholite system on the Trask Reserve pairs. Sold for $350-600 for the nice pairs. Been thinking about sending some to a catalogue collector for posterity of the insole system, but Idk. I don't think anybody appreciates this until they actually put their feet in them

[@53septem]

I really wanted to go to the Chicago get-together, but my insurance company said they wouldn't cover anyone going to Chicago

[@MMM88X]

Congratulations! This is a holy grail for many vintage collectors. And I couldn't agree more, these were indeed the greatest ever American made shoe. There's a good chance these were made by the 3-4 people, including Ray and Dominic, the legendary cobblers who made shoes for every US president since the 70s. I'm luck enough to have a pair. Btw, NOS usually stands for "New old stock" :), which yours obviously are. Cheers.

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

All my dress shoes are US made J&M purchased late 80’ early ‘90’s. I was fortunate to be able to purchase them at cost because we sold men’s formalwear and carried J & M formal dress shoes. I still have 7 pair of Aristocraft shoes today that I barely wear. I recall that in the J&M catalog handmades were special order and cost around $300.

[@Steve_Sandman]

I bought a pair of vintage Wright Arch Preserver Cordwainer 11D. These were union made in the USA and have the original heels with 11 nails. According to my shoe repair guy, these are slightly higher quality than Florsheims. I have never seen anyone do a KZbin video of these shoes. I will need to have these resoled, but they are in very good condition.

[@bearzlla]

Heyyy I bought some stuff off your website recently and tried using the coupon code you mailed me with my previous order and it didn't work. I sent a few follow up emails and never got a response 😭

[@upsbear]

OMG They are gorgeous !!

[@ricardorgomez]

That's a really nice shoe! I was surprised to see they were never worn. Probably in someone's closet for 30 years and they passed away. I inherited some older Florsheim's that way. Nothing special but they were made of cordovan. They didn't have the details your shoes have. Enjoy!

[@davidedmonds6427]

Red Shoe Trees would look AWESOME in them!!!!

[@davidedmonds6427]

Before I discovered Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy was my SHOES even though they were not Goodyear Welted but they were SUPER COMFORTABLE!!!

[@dougmackenzie5976]

I used to have a pair of shell Cordovan Florsheim Oxfords. Best shoe I've ever owned. I haven't been able to find a decent shoe since those were destroyed in a flood. Doesn't anyone make a good wingtip anymore?

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

Thank you. Sound is good

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

Need better sound quality. Could barely hear you.

[@peterklus]

I have J&M Aristocraft and Crown Aristocraft shoes in my collection, all vintage pairs with the same coat of arms and logo on the insole. Is this model a specific one that is very rare? Aristocraft shoes were available in the usual places like eBay, including the European firm Classic Shoes for Men run by Sevan Minasian, the last time I checked (a few years ago, I concede). So kindly let me know if this particular model is more specific -- a special kind of Aristocraft. Great shoes, by the way! Dr Peter Wisconsin

[@gentlewolf]

Lovely is your setting of the iconic shoe upon its proper pedestal. Preen now the suit, the cravat, the fedora. A proper feathering in the hat; a scent-filled carnation through its boutonniere. Render homage to the man properly attired - for he renders glory upon the Creator.

[@basila1162]

Beautiful shoes, but I might be tempted to call them the best factory made shoes ever produced in the US.

[@jacobcate704]

You mentioned the Imperials....How do those fit compared to our mutually favorited Strand? There are a few in golden harvest color in 9C, 9.5C and 8.5E available on eBay, but don't want to waste my time if they wouldn't be comparable to my 9.5D Strand sizing. thanks Soto!!

[@TheElegantOxford]

I’ll tell you the Imperial fits very close to the Strand. It is slightly roomier but still a long shoe. I’d say all 3 on eBay or a risk on size. You’d want to try 9.5D or it might not work.

[@DeckmateBuilders]

I have a pair of aristocrats I'd love to have you work on!

[@sheldonkelly5020]

Hey, do you have any size 8 alligator shoe that you don't mind donating to me?

[@j.d.1488]

Hey my size. Lol

[@ya-silly-goose623]

You monetized your low thousands of views per video and even this stream with 45 second ad periods that can't be skipped? I'm not sure how it works these days, I feel like you can choose the level of ads and you chose hell. No thanks

[@TheElegantOxford]

I unfortunately cannot choose how long ads are. KZbin recently increased ad times as well.

[@randolphrussell1751]

I still have a pair of J&M Aristocrat oxfords dating from at least the early 1990s. Always kept shined and treed. Been resoled a couple times. Even though my business suit days are over for the most part my opinion of J&M was always top quality...until I went searching for a new pair of shoes a few years ago. Very disappointing. Sad to see such a valued hallmark of quality relegated to the trash pile of history.