Need help cleaning 1940s silk peep-toe wedges with trim

[shesabettie]

Hello lovelies!

I haven't posted in a while, but I have something special to show you and a question for you experts.

These 1940s silk peep-toe wedges are gorgeous! AND they are my size so I am very excited! However, they need to be cleaned and my local shoe repair shop is not experienced in these type items and the dry cleaner told me the steaming process would disintegrate the glue holding them together. I believe the fabric is silk or a silk satin. Would the trim be accurately described as "soutache"?

Any advice on how to clean or is this even possible? If they can be cleaned, any recommendations for places who restore antique and vintage clothing and shoes?

Thanks so much!

xoxo,
Bettie Jenn

 

[cactusandcattails]

Can you post a photo? Try the tree icon in the reply box and insert the photo url.

 

[shesabettie]

Thanks for your reply, Brenda. The images are on my desktop and not online. I will try to attach them again using the "upload a file" button in this reply box. I tried uploading them twice, but when I went back to see the post, they did not show up. I'm not sure what I am doing wrong.

 

[shesabettie]

I uploaded them to my SHESABETTIE! Facebook page so I hope you can see them this way. I'm not sure why I can't upload any photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.256651334373205.59057.123517991019874&type=1

 

[cactusandcattails]

I uploaded them to my SHESABETTIE! Facebook page so I hope you can see them this way. I'm not sure why I can't upload any photos.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.256651334373205.59057.123517991019874&type=1

Your photos were probably too large to attach Betti Jean.

 

[shesabettie]

Ahhh, likely so! I just saved them down and will try one more time. If this doesn't work, hopefully Fbook will be a way for you to see them. I apologize for this being so much trouble

 

[cactusandcattails]

No trouble! The FB pics should be fine. Sorry I am no help with cleaning the shoes. They are gorgeous!

 

[pastperfect2]

If you can find it, Kelly's Cobler Leather and Fabric cleaner has worked wonders for me on some issues.It's pretty much drycleaning fluid in a bottle. And smelly! You do have to be careful with it though - it can take the color out!

Hollis

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

Those are gorgeous! I had a pair of ivory silk satin 30s' shoes recently and while not terribly soiled, had some "surface" type soil on them. I used rubbing alcohol mixed with some Woolite, just very lightly wiped on with a slightly damp cloth, then a second wipeover with just alcohol. I like to use the alcohol because it dries quickly and doesn't usually leave water rings. I would not touch the colored portions at all. And I wouldn't try to get up all the soiling/spotting. These are so nice that if you just lift some of that, I think they would be delightful--who expects perfection in a shoe of this age?

 

[StelmaDesigns]

I have nothing to add, just to say how wonderful those shoes are! How lucky you are they fit! My big old clodhoppers can't fit in any vintage shoes, so sad.