Tag: Mens clothing

What do we mean when we say “hand-sewn”?

274 grp 1000 web

Our casual loafers are all Genuine Hand-sewn “on the last.” The uppers are soaked in water and positioned on the last. The plug and vamp are hand- sewn together while sill wet. The shoe is dried and in the process the leather fibers retain the permanent shape of the last. Stitches on the moccasin are pulled tightly for the detailing.

This is the same process used by most top-tier hand-sewn brands….and you can enjoy your David Spencer Casuals with the knowledge your shoes will serve you well for years and be a great value.

Because they have a full rubber sole I consider the Verona and Milano street shoes.  They have an updated last with a lower profile and a low profile sole.  It is not flat like most drivers are.  There is an inside wedge that functions the same way an outside heel does.  This means they provide all day comfort while flat drivers do not.

Flat shoes like most drivers and sneakers like Converse are just not that comfortable.  Feet get tired and uncomfortable wearing them.  We get regular comments our Bit (Key West is the same) is the most comfortable shoe they own.  People seek it out for that reason alone

While we have several drivers ours are different.  Look at the Bit and Key West.  They have a small heel.  Inside there is an added layer of foam from the instep back to the heel. The combination results in comfort.  Consumers appreciate this.  I really think the consumer thinks of the Bit and Key West as a casual life style street shoe for daily wear not a driver

616 grp 1000

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it’s more than a shoe shine……

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Shoe care tips from David Spencer Casual Footwear

Over the long run your shoes will look better and wear better if they are treated with natural compounds.  If you want your shoes to maintain natural leather appearance it is best to use a clear cream or neutral polish.  One shoe cream we like is DYO leather balm. We have used it over the years and find that it’s natural waxes are best to preserve the original look of the leather.  If you need to touch up a scratch then try to match the color of the leather with the shoe cream you select.  Here’s a shoe cream rather than a shoe wax. Do not use one of those sponge daubers that apply a high shine. They contain silicones.  Once applied you cannot apply other polishes or preservatives because They cannot be absorbed.

Compounds with silicones Are commonly used to make shoes waterproof. They do have a downside. They penetrate the leather, fill up the pores in the leather and make it less breathable. They are rather permanent and make future applications of waxes and creams not effective because the leather cannot absorb them.  The best way to waterproof chooses to use natural waxes. A good brand of natural shoe products is Nikwax.  The ingredients are natural. they have a cleaning compound, Nubuck suede waterproofing and fabric and leather waterproofing products.

A good way to clean nubuck, suede and sometimes fabric is to use the ultra fine sanding blocks that you can find in hardware stores. These are great for taking black smudges off of your white or light colored nubuck shoes.

Keep checking with us to learn about new products we have evaluated. Let us have your ideas on products and techniques that you like.

by Claude Trotter

David Spencer Casual Footwear