Who else wears Wingtips?

Chris L · 08-15-2008, 07:11 PM

I've owned pairs of Wingtip shoes through the years, some of lesser quality or durability and a few pair that I've loved.

I had a pair of vintage 1960s Thom McCann wingtips that were built like tanks. I would wear them with jeans and in my early twenties they were a pair of shoes that I wore so often they fit like a glove. So comfortable. I finally wore them out after having them resoled once.

I've had a pair of Florsheim Imperial Wingtips for about a year and also wear them with dress clothes and with jeans. They're almost identical to the Thoms I had and they're starting to get broken in now.

Any other Wingtip lovers?

Chris L

jnich67 · 08-15-2008, 07:24 PM

I've always worn Wingtips. They're classics. I had a pair of Florsheim that were excellent. When I get a job, I'm going to grab a pair of Aldens. I love their shoes. Pricey though.

Jordan

Dicestone · 08-15-2008, 08:43 PM

In the early seventys I had a pair of Florsheim, and two pairs of cabela Wingtips. I don't think Cabela makes or sells them anymore. They were so soft and light in weight compaired to Florsheim. When we
moved to Arizona the dust and dirt would get into the little holes and it drove me crazy. They always looked dirty to me, unlike when I worked in Chicago.

Galopede · 08-15-2008, 11:54 PM

I have several pairs of full brogues as we call them here. Mine are from various Northampton makers, Trickers, Church, Cheaney, Alfred Sargent.

As you can guess, I love 'em!

Gareth

mparker762 · 08-16-2008, 12:58 AM

I've got several pairs of Alden longwings in cordovan leather, including a fairly rare pair in whisky (medium tan) cordovan. I wear mine daily with khakis. Aldens are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, sneakers included.

Bill S · 08-16-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker762

I've got several pairs of Alden longwings in cordovan leather, including a fairly rare pair in whisky (medium tan) cordovan. I wear mine daily with khakis. Aldens are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, sneakers included.

I have some Alden cordovans too. Definite thumbs up from me. The Whisky color sounds great. I've never seen them in that shade (as you said, they are rare).

thebigspendur · 08-16-2008, 01:57 AM

I have a pair of Bostonian Wingtips in Black Cordovan. I've had them for probably 10 years and instead of showing wear they look better with the years.

jimmyman · 08-16-2008, 01:34 PM

I love wingtips, I wear a pair almost everyday. I have black Deer Stag, brown Dockers, and nice dark colored cordovan no-name brand that I bought at a thrift store for $5.00 I also have a very light colored cordovan saddle shoes from Nunn Bush. I had some Florsheim's, but they wore out after a few years and I had to get rid of them.

timberrr59 · 08-16-2008, 05:32 PM

I bought a pair of Nun Bush Wingtips (oxblood color). I wear them any time I want to look dressed up. They go with anything. I always wear them when I sign contracts, do business, or anything pertaining to money. You can get by with more when you wear wingtips. People also think you are smarter. Just keep them shined!

Quick Orange · 08-16-2008, 09:51 PM

I have a good pair of wingtips, black leather, that I wear any time I want to look classy. I can't wait until I can afford several more pairs of them, as I'd love a black and white set.

Reminds me, I need to pull out the polish and give 'em a good shine

mparker762 · 08-16-2008, 11:01 PM

You need to get them in shell cordovan and you'd only need to wax them every 6-12 months, which goes a long way to balming the pain in the wallet.

Galopede · 08-16-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker762

You need to get them in shell cordovan and you'd only need to wax them every 6-12 months, which goes a long way to balming the pain in the wallet.

Polishing the shoes is half the fun of wearing them!

Gareth

Chris L · 08-17-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyman

I had some Florsheim's, but they wore out after a few years and I had to get rid of them.

They must not have been the Imperial line of Florsheims. The pair I have are built like a tank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galopede

Polishing the shoes is half the fun of wearing them!

Gareth

Exactly. I love giving them a very thorough once over now and again. Laces out, polish and buff like crazy. Good stuff. I used to shine my Dad's shoes when I was a kid and liked that he appreciated it so much. Shining shoes has always had good memories for me.

Chris L

Quick Orange · 08-17-2008, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galopede

Polishing the shoes is half the fun of wearing them!

Gareth

Yup. It's about like shaving. Put on some music, kick back, and start polishing. Lotsa fun.

ForestryProf · 08-22-2008, 03:57 AM

Another wingtip lover here...two pair of Florsheim Imperials, one in Oxblood, one in black, the only dress shoes in my closet. My first pair lasted over 15 years and two re-soles.

Truthfully, I had my fill of polishing shoes over the course of 23 years in the Army Reserves. Even so, I still spit shine my wingtips. When the sun is bright, gotta wear shades to keep from being blinded by the refelction off my shoes.

Anything worth doing, is worth doing well.
Cheers,
Ed