'Antique' brown to black for one night?

What you always wanted to know about Elegance, but were afraid to ask!
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Guest

Mon Jun 26, 2006 12:59 pm

Well, I've found my love for brown shoes but find that I am left with only one pair of black shoes. On friday I have to attend an event in the event, which calls for black shoes yet I only have black fullbrogues. However I do have a pair of dark brown C&J Audley's and was wondering whether it is possible to 'antique' them for one night to black (I have Burgol and Saphire d'or) and then strip the color back off? Also, would the result be satisfactory or do I really need to go out and buy a pair of black oxfords (knowing that I will need some eventually but would love to wait for a good deal at my local shoe store)?

I thought that the wax should cover the base color pretty well and allow me to but a good shine on the toe box and heel area. Afterwards I thought about stripping the shoe with either saddle soap or alcohol. Stupid?
Guest

Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:27 pm

The change of colour done by antiquing will not be completely satisfactory, (for that, you would have to dye your shoes), and most likely prove more permanent than you thought. If you use solvents to strip it off, you will probably damage the leather.

I am sure nobody will condemn you for wearing brown shoes or black brogues. Most people will not even notice. Just wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, and do buy some more formal black shoes next time you find a bargain. A good pair should last you a lifetime when used sparingly and looked after.

TVD
Guest

Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:44 pm

I would say that the event and the dresscode dictate the type of shoe required.

Given the considerations you are presenting, I would prefer to wear full brogues instead of adapting a pair of good shoes. Better to be frowned upon during an evening than to 'mutilate' a good pair of shoes beyond recovery. That said,
I dare to say that the definition of style which is sought after in this community is not broadly known outside our circle. Therefore, chances are that nobody would frown on black brogues.

On a different note: I was invited to a party a short while ago. Accidentely a bit of an alcoholic beverage (containing ethanol) was spilled on my brown shoes. It stripped the color clean off. Hence I would say that using alcohol to clean leather shoes may lead to unwanted results.

Regards,
Don
Guest

Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:38 pm

Today I tried to get a pair of black oxfords but I was unsuccessful. There are two stores selling decent shoes around here and the one didn't have a single black oxford (they tried to get me to buy brown Santoni's or Fullbrogues for an evening event... female sales staff that doesn't know a thing :roll: ) in stock in my size. The other store had a shoe I liked (Tricker's St. James) but I needed it half a size down and that wasn't available either. I couldn't get THE basic pair of shoes. What has the world come to...
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