Shoe "rag brag" and a ? - can I repair

themerchantsofvintage

themerchantsofvintage

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Shoe \"rag brag\" and a ? - can I repair

I love hand-tooled shoes and these fit me perfectly! They're not vintage, but I got them for a bargain - left the $1.00 price tag on. But it has a big issue on the back of the shoe and I'd like to know if there is a way for a novice to strip the dye and redye with good results. Or should I take them to a cobbler?

And they're signed "Th. Lord"

Thanks!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Handtooledshoes2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Handtooledshoes3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
 
Those are lovely!

If they were redyed, I don't know about getting a perfect match, just because part of the charm of tooled leather is the variation and patina.

Have you tried a neutral or close as possible sparing sparingly amount of shoe polish?
 
Thanks, Chris! Good advice. The picture doesn't really show it well, but it looks as if someone was trying to redye the shoe and messed it up in the process - so the one shoe already looks very different at the back than its front. That being said, most people don't pay much attention to the back of a shoe; so it may be worth a try. Luckily the fronts are perfectly matched!
 
Yes, if you redyed them you would lose all the shading in the tooling, however, if you do dye them, get them done by a professional. Dyeing leather isn't easy and you could end up with an uneven application unless they are done by a professional. You need to get new top lifts anyway, so you could get an estimate. I would think the toplifts would cost you about 12.00 and the redyeing would cost about 30.00
 
Wear nice dress or wide legged slacks that are meant to be a little longer when you wear heels with them. Where they "break", you will see the front of the shoe but not as pronminently the back. Or wear a long slit skirt.
 
I, being a skinflint with things I wear myself (but ironically shell out tons on repairs and cleaning for resale!) would be inclined to take them to the cobbler and ask what would be the cheapest way to disguise it. But then, as I said, I am cheap :BAGUSE: .
But they are lovely, and if they only cost you a dollar just think what you would have paid if they were pretty much perfect. If it works out the same as the quote for re dye etc. then I think you can justify it!
 
You guys are the greatest!!! Thanks! All things considered, to get a good pair of shoes that you like for under $100.00, let alone $50.00 is worth it. I rarely spend on myself either, Harriet, but I think I'm due for a treat. I'll post the results when they're done.

Thanks again!

PS - Jonathan - I'm not familiar with the term "top lifts", does that mean resoling the heels?
 
A shoe is made upside down by a shoemaker because the most sewing is done between the sole and upper, which was traditionally sewn upside down. A stacked heel (heel made of multiple layers or lifts of leather) is made from the heel seat to the top lift, in other words from top to tip, or upside down. To a shoemaker, the top lift is the last piece added to make the heel. Even in a solid heel, such as yours, there is still a lift added to the bottom of the heel, or the heel tip. That lift is called a top lift.
 
Picked up the shoes today and I am quite pleased with the results - and a bargain at that - $30.00 for top lifts and spot colouring. The cobbler gave them a stippled (mottled) look and continued the pattern to about the middle of the shank. All in all a pretty good lookin' pair of pumps!

I then asked how much it would cost to redye a 60s Charles Jourdan bag and he said about $150.00. I gulped...

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Tooledshoes2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Tooledshoes1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
 
They look so different , I bet your please with them. Are you wearing your new shoes are will you put them up for sale.
 
Yes, Paul, I'm very pleased and I'll be on the hunt for something to wear with the shoes! I used to have a wardrobe full of suits that would have gone well with them, but I left the coporate world many moons ago. It will be fun looking for me as well when I'm out there hunting. And with well over 500 pieces of everything under the sun, I should not be hunting at all!!

Harriet, I did not read your message - I will be keeping the shoes...

I think.
 
yes, you should keep them. Good thing with vintage stuff (the way I see it) is unless it's really precious or rare for the most part you won't devalue it fully if you wear it - not like taking a dinky toy out of the box! :)
 
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