Hi Preston, as usual thanks for the informative vedeo. I was also looking for that suede strands but I see only B mens sizes are available when I usually buy D. Any idea if that's a big difference? B in place of D?
Can you recommend any european channel? I know that in the USA it's a common practice to buy Allen Edmonds or Carmina, but in europe, especially in the eastern europe there are no famous names. We have to buy spanish, italian or english shoes and honestly it's rarely to have a fair price if you include shipping cost... So... Any piece of advice?
Being stuck home, I've been tempted to buy a large list of clothes. But I can't help but feel it would be somewhat irresponsible given the current situation to request non-essential deliveries, possibly taxing transportation at the expense of more pressing matters (like the delivery of sanitary equipment). I've also read many couriers online lamenting they have to work, risking their life & those of others, to deliver often non-essential items. On the other hand, I've also read people lamenting they risk losing their job if they don't get work, which they can't afford to, so I'm not sure what's the best course of action.
Boy, the more I get into this the more I feel like I'll need to get at least one pair of really good shoes in Suede. I'm a sucker for leather, especially since it can get really shiny, but it's good to vary it up!
Absolutely love your videos, Preston! Recently found your channel. Realized I needy to start buying better shoes. Have since purchased 3 pair of used Allen Edmonds online. Used your information and techniques to shine them up and I feel like a million bucks. But, didn't have to spend that much. I'm a new huge Elegant Oxford and Allen Edmonds fan! Thanks, Preston!
Fantastic advice! Just tried to search for "Allen Edmunds" on the british eBay, and sure enough; I've found a pair in my size at a very low price. Sadly not in the right width but still! Thank you for an amazing channel.
I bought a like new pair of dress shoes at a thrift shop for $6. After noticing they were lined with pigskin, I looked them up and they were around $250 new.
I'm also a fan of dabondo1. I have several pairs I got from them, haven't been disappointed yet! Those suede strands look amazing also, I'm going to hunt for a pair now!
Hello, I just, got to know this channel and I am IN AWE. I am watching a video after video. I have been a collector of vintage items since I was 1r (started with stamps and ended up with, well, too many fantastic items to mention, watched and shies in particular. Please my question to you is, (I know you are a very busy man with way too many comments and questions but plz get back to me sometime this year that is fine as long as it is going to take just few months 👍). Okay, the question: where can I sell my valuable shoe collection? I have various sizes of shies that I collected simply cause they were a good deal for shies so handsome that I just couldn't let go at the time. Years later today, I need to sell them but do not want to gift then away prices. What should I do? I am going to visit your site (congrats) and as soon as I can, buy 4 colors and the magical wax and tools that you use. Cannot wait to shine these hidden packed shies of mine. Gonna be something special
This is very thorough info on finding the right deals on second hand shoes. I’ll also add patience as another one. I see so many people over pay for second hand boots and shoes just to save a few bucks on what they retail for. Boggles my mind. If they’re even lightly used, half retail is a fair to good price. I see this a lot with very in demand brands with cult like followings like red wing all the time. People will pay within 50 dollars of what they cost new.
Robert Smith The point is to not get duped into used shoes for 20 percent off retail. Patience. I’ve purchased quite a few lightly used good quality brands (red wings, helm, oakstreet, Wolverine, etc.) and have never paid more than 150 for them. That’s not even anything special. It’s just being fair. Used shoes should be 50-60 percent off market value unless they’re never worn in box.
I just received a pair of Allen Edmond wing-tips I ordered from their on line store in size 13eee on sale for only $112 after all discounts. They were $425, and they're not factory seconds!
I just ordered another pair of AE for $113, tax and delivery included. That's 2 pair of AE first quality, made in the US that were $425 a pair for only $225 for 2 pair, including tax and delivery. I paid less than the recrafting fee! Why buy used?
Great video as always, thanks to you before this video I found a great deal a pair of used Allen Edmond Port Washington for $70.00 in excellent shape from the Goodwill web site.
Preston- I’m still unclear on how to detect corrected grain leather Just from images alone. I’m not trying to distinguish it from shell Cordovan - - merely to be able to accurately tell the difference between it and full grain leather. Are there any brands that were notorious for doing this? That one should avoid? Matt
Excellent video as always. Random unrelated question if you have a moment. I bought a pair of Alden shoes from Shoe Mart over the phone last week. The shoes are called Saddle Oxfords in Color 8 shell and Brown Alpine Grain calfskin saddle. Old school spectators. The pics were great and showed the usual Color 8. I received the shoes today and was extremely happily surprised to see the color of the shell. The shoes are straight up deep rich purple. Not the usual Color 8-yea, there’s some deep rich purple-mahogany in a dark almost-black but with some browns overall color-Color 8. These things are basically dark purple, subtly-shockingly purple if you can imagine that I guess. Anyway, I’ve seen a lot of new colors in shell over the last few years and wondered if you’ve ever seen this before. The shoes are spectacular and I would have gotten them sooner if I knew they were this shade-def. not Color 8 tho (?) Thanks again for the video, bro Steve K.
Can I ask what brand dye you use? I tried a water based dye and it just painted the leather and wore off after wearing the shoes just once. I dyed the shoes again using a medium brown alcohol based dye and they came out so dark brown that they are almost black. It doesn't look bad but also not the result I was going for.
The alcohol based dye was a good idea! Preston usually starts out by diluting the dye with rubbing alcohol - 1:1, I believe. Them, as he gets to know what the dye looks like, he increases the saturation. He has several videos which involve dye jobs - check them out!
In India we are under lockdown till 14 April. E-commerce sites are closed. Pretty gloomy huh? The only ray of sunshine is videos like yours. My request to all around the world is to stay indoors. It's wonderful how the whole of humanity has come together to fight back. Together we can defeat this threat to humanity. Stay home, stay safe. Love from 🇮🇳
Sizing is one thing, but I’ve learned that one should really know what lasts fit best too; particularly with brands whom offer a plethora of last options (ie AE). Simply put, that’s the next level of assurance that what you’re buying will actually fit you not simply well, but best as not every 10E will fit you perfect!
I'm too cheap. I go to my local thift stores...25.00 or less is my sweet spot. But being poor helps as well...maybe if I get my stimulate money comes in soon I will give myself 100.00
This week I cooked a pair of cheap eBay shoes after failing to correctly identify the leather tote properly. Seems they were corrected grain and when I used the iron and damp towel method to remove creases, I have melted and scorched them. They look more like baked potatoes now lol. Next destination is the shoe donation receptacle except it's now closed for C19 reasons.
Another great video. This is the first time one of my Facebook posts about shoes went prime time! I love those coffee shell Cordovans I picked up from Dabondo1.
My new pair of boots just arrived 2 weeks ago and haven't got the chance to try them on, and I'm telling you I've never wanted to leave the house so bad.
See, this is why I came here. I'm completely new in the high end,so even step 1 is an open question right now. I don't have the measuring device shown in your video, so what home method of measuring my true size would you recommend? Also, I'm on a budget so if I buy new, I'll probably be restricted to brands like Meermin, or AE on sale. Any thoughts on that?
Go shoe shopping! You don't have to buy anything, but your feet will be measured. Be sure to have them measure both feet, because your right is usually a bit larger than the left. In some cases, people have to buy two pairs of shoes in order to get one wearable pair!
Great info. Thanks, Bro. I think I hit 2 homeruns with my first 2 used purchases on Ebay. I'm grateful. Huge leaps of faith. I took a big chance and attempted a dye patina. I think I did well for a first try. I did it to some AE Hillcrests I got for 55 bucks. I have to shout you out because I used your videos as tutorials. Salute! Thanks, my Man
Hi Preston, I've got a pair of two tone saddle shoes exactly like yours in 4:22. Allen Edmonds Polo, right? They're naturally glossy and don't shine well. I don't think they're shell cordovan because of the creasing. Can you help me out? I have pics that I can share on the ShineYourShoes FB page if you wanna have a look. I bought them vintage on eBay.
Hey, Yazza Yap. The pair pictured here are Alden Saddle shoes. Same style as the Polo by AE. Unfortunately the pairs made by AE were book binder corrected grain. My dad owns a pair.
@@TheElegantOxford No wonder they shine like crap. I'll take a pic and tag you on the FB group to take a look. It was... really, really frustrating to shine them when I was going through them.
It’s possible to stretch them one width up but sometimes they never fit perfectly and sometimes they really fit well. I wish there was a straight answer but it varies from shoe to shoe.
Thanks Preston, all the best to you and your family. My wife just picked the children's stuff up from the school... She tossed a ten pound bag of papers on top of two pair of my Allen Edmonds... I said, "sweetheart, love of my life, My hats and my shoes" why???? Hahaha! Be well my friend. Best regards.
@@TheElegantOxford , that's why I was upset, I had just cleaned them and hadn't put the trees back in yet...lol Totally my oversight and her whatever she wasn't or was thinking. Lol
@@TheElegantOxford Do you have tips for quality women's shoes? I often wear oxfords and other "men's styles" but good ones are hard to find. Also I love your videos! I'm excited to give the shoes I have some new life.
