Film Noir Buff Style Forum / Stretching patent leather opera pumps

Horace · 2007-09-30 05:19:25

I've read on various forums that stretching patent leather opera pumps is futile (via either a wooden stretcher or the "stretching fluid" that comes in the red bottle, or a combo of both). Is this correct? Anyone with experience? I'm just getting around to try out a pair of Churchs (via Brooks) formal shoes I bought months ago and I'm finding them slightly tight on the vamp. But I'm afraid the next 1/2 size up is a bit loose.

If I think I can get these to a comfortable state, I'll keep them, since the price (about US$100) was certainly right.

Any merit to the claim that patent leather shoes are difficult or impossible or not advisable to stretch?

Cheerios chums.

H.

jack_sparrow · 2007-09-30 05:44:41

Horace · 2007-09-30 06:31:48

jack_sparrow · 2007-09-30 06:40:29

Voltaire's Bastard · 2007-09-30 08:27:40

jack_sparrow · 2007-09-30 08:46:19

jack_sparrow · 2007-09-30 08:51:10

Gomez · 2007-09-30 14:57:42

What about layering up on sox?

Horace · 2007-09-30 23:57:55

jack_sparrow · 2007-10-01 01:37:21

Horace · 2007-10-01 03:45:44

Trad to the Bone · 2007-10-01 08:17:39

Horace, keep us posted. I bought the same shoe (did you get the squared-off bow, or the bow-like bow, for lack of better description?*) and have the same problem, just a bit tight over the top of my foot. Probably a night of "sweaty-foot" dancing, to borrow from Mr. Sparrow, would stretch them fine, but I'm worried that ten minutes will be too much. And these aren't exactly shoes one wears often.

*I thought I was ordering the squared-off bow, but ended up with the bow-like bow, which I much prefer.

TB

AQG · 2007-10-01 08:26:16

Horace,

I have a pair of Bowhill & Elliott patent opera pumps that were a bit snug by the little toe. I emailed the maker and they advised that stretching is possible. I took them to the local cobbler (I have a very good one, fortunately) and the job was done.

The_Shooman · 2007-10-01 09:38:55

l've found that my Church opera pumps have become more comfortable over time. At first they hurt like f**k, but after a while they get more comfy old son. DON'T stretch `em. The vasaoline method seems intriguing.

l bought mine about 7 - 8 years ago, and they were $495.00 (438 U.S) ASD at the time. You are lucky to get such great bargains in the U.S old Horace. l'm sooo annoyed at how you chaps get the good deals; everything is so expensive in Australia.

The Church's `Corruna' model is a real classic pump (been discontinued for years now). lt's a beauty m8! lt's everything l dreamed an opera pump to be....ever since a young boy l dreamed of a pump like that. Forget all the fancy bows and sh*t, give me the Church Corruna 80 last opera pump and i'm a very very happy man. The Church `corunna' is how an opera pump should be!!!

Last edited by The_Shooman (2007-10-01 09:59:55)

The_Shooman · 2007-10-01 10:01:29

Every now and again l wear opera pumps instead of slippers.

Last edited by The_Shooman (2007-10-01 10:03:02)

#1 2007-09-30 05:19:25

Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#2 2007-09-30 05:44:41

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#3 2007-09-30 06:31:48

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#4 2007-09-30 06:40:29

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#5 2007-09-30 08:27:40

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#6 2007-09-30 08:46:19

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#7 2007-09-30 08:51:10

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#8 2007-09-30 14:57:42

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#9 2007-09-30 23:57:55

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#10 2007-10-01 01:37:21

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#11 2007-10-01 03:45:44

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#12 2007-10-01 08:17:39

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#13 2007-10-01 08:26:16

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#14 2007-10-01 09:38:55

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

#15 2007-10-01 10:01:29

Re: Stretching patent leather opera pumps

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