Well I’ve had these for many years, 8-9? They were my daily drivers for the majority of that time at work. I came from making yearly Johnston and Murphy purchases after they wore out or fell apart, and got sick of that cycle. Admittedly I knew little of rotation, shoe trees, and good care in general apart from how to clean and shine them. So last December I sent them in for a sole change and reconstruction. They came originally with a hard, semi-lug type sole. I had them changed to a Danite sole. The reconstruction on the bottom looks very good. What I’m disappointed with is how the uppers came back. I was hoping the leather would be restretched and look much cleaner. I’ve heard of instances where that was case. But alas, my neglect wasn’t remedied. So my question is, how would you fix these to look less like the tired, worn out specimens that they are? Is there hope? I’ve seen videos of guys steaming/ironing the leather to reduce the creasing but I’m not sure if these aren’t too ‘gone’.

Good morning gentlemen, I can recall there was a period in my young adult age where I thought I had it all figured out, and if I didn’t I was smart enough to figure it out on my own. One thing that I have come to the knowledge is that a person think they know it all is not only dangerous but unstable. Especially when they feel they don’t need to learn and grow. And learning is not just in education, but in life as well. But here is the reality that can be harder to swallow and digest for a person in this mindset. What you think you know it is not letting you grow? I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are surrounded by all the information you need to get what you’re trying to go. You’re surrounded by all the information you need to get what you’re trying to go but your blind; but instead of getting information, on what you think you already know, got you looking for confirmation. What you think you already know is just getting in your way. This has you ignoring all the right information. Sometimes you have to just be quiet. Stop listening to comments, stop listening to give your responses, just listen and will become teachable again again. Stop using the same old knowledge, same old beliefs, trying to get different results. Stop thinking you know; nobody knows everything, you have gotten as far as you gonna go on what you think you already know. Especially those of us who have been around for awhile. We used to know everything and it worked for a while, and what we used to win with is not working no more. It is a new day, new time, everything changed so fast, you have to stop and listen. That’s the only way you going to survive these times that are changing, just be quiet and listen. One of our greatest attributes as gentlemen is the knowledge that we do not know everything, and the wisdom and ability to want to learn and grow.

Heading out today with my wife for some errands. It’s sunny going to get up to 60 degrees. Seems like a great day to not have a coat today!! Have a great Saturday my friends!!

Stakes Day (Day at the Races) Hat: Trilby (Stanton) Scarf: Sky Blue Silk (Elizabetta Bontique) Suit: Black Merino Wool (Woolcott Street) Dress Shirt: Black and Navy Blue Winchester (Woolcott Street) Tie: Black (Unknown) Pocket Square: White Satin (Unknown) Ring: Gold Custom Signet (Royal Signet) Watch: Gold/White Tank Dial (Seiko) Socks: Black (M.J. Bale) Shoes: Black Monkstraps (Woolcott Street) Fragrance: Black Orchid EDP (Tom Ford)