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Guest Beeks

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Guest Beeks

Hey folks

There was a thread on here quite some time ago regarding what soulies preferred footwear was

I remember someone posting a link to a brand id never heard of but were popular on the scene back in the day

I thought they looked great but can't for the life of me remember what they were called?!

I need new shoes..can anyone help?

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Had about 3 or 4 pairs of Solatio shoes,2 Crossovers and two others, they were quite broad, all leather and extremely comfortable, purchased from Image on Bridalsmith Gate In Nottingham..are they still made ?

Rob 1975/76 ish

Edited by Rob Wigley
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I don't think they were Solatios..they looked more like a Wallaby type design?

Do you mean Polyveldts?

Edited by GARV
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Guest Beeks

Do you mean Polyveldts?

Not unlike them..I think the link that was posted was a modern brands take on an old design shoe

I dunno

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OK here we go again....

Solatio's were originally made in Kettering , Northants and became very popular late 70's. There were seven different designs with the most popular being crossover plait or diamond latice. Broad leather sole, leather heel, stitched sole available in various colours (black, brown, black/blue, black/white, black/cream, black/burgundy etc etc). These were dangerous on the dance floor as many people had them steeled (steel in the heel and toe). Then came the softer and more comfortable Polyveldt from Clark's. Originally available in a tan colour, they made them in a darker tan and black as people started dying them. The chunky laces were specifically made for the shoes and they were re-soleable at a Clark's specialist. Mid 80's, Pods came into the equation. The styles were too numerous to list but the favoured variety were almost "deck shoe" like and went with the "peg style" / "piped jean" jazz funk uniform of the day.

I have scans somewhere of an article I did for Manifesto of both Solatio and Polyveldt. I even went into Clark's archives for this with original adverts etc for the Oberon variety which were favoured by the Northern crowd and me too... without doubt, the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. I bought a very near lookalike two years ago when Clark's re-introduced them, although not identical, they're not far off the original.

I'll see if I can find the info to scan

Steve

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Hey folks

There was a thread on here quite some time ago regarding what soulies preferred footwear was

I remember someone posting a link to a brand id never heard of but were popular on the scene back in the day

I thought they looked great but can't for the life of me remember what they were called?!

I need new shoes..can anyone help?

why not get your old ones repaired ??

sole and heel £25--£30

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I could never wear polyvelts after seeing my aging not very trendy or cool headmaster in them lol

What do you wear now Chalky.... no doubt something reminiscent of what teacher wore back then :D . Fashion... what goes around, comes around. Thank God baggies are gone for good, apart from the handbag crew.... ooops :rofl:

Edited by soulman
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Not unlike them..I think the link that was posted was a modern brands take on an old design shoe I dunno

Try these people retrotogo.com , or give the oi polloi web site a try. They have some nice Bass Wegun`s in stock.

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Garv ....Foot related topic ! You still wearing open toed sandals to accommodate your poorly toe :D:huh::thumbsup:

Melly XX

no but it still hurts ............ Beeks,give the Weegun`s a go ............. i currently have two pairs & have bought them for many many years, very comfortable & if you look after them they will last.

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Might even of been those oberons you know..certainly my style of shoe..like them

I think oi Polloi in Manchester have them , if not try the End clothing website in Newcastle , both doing free shipping at the moment.

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those oberons always get down to 1/2 price in the sales.

mass produced in china.

dave around 80 quid for a full sole replacement is probably about right if its a goodyear welt and the whole sole unit is being replaced. When I enquired out of curiosity it was about 77 quid for cheaney to do it.

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Guest Beeks

no but it still hurts ............ Beeks,give the Weegun`s a go ............. i currently have two pairs & have bought them for many many years, very comfortable & if you look after them they will last.

Not really my bag those weeguns..I'm not really a slip on type guy..just like the tasseled loafers..they may be mod..but in the 80s as a teen they were worn by alcoholics and pikeys :D

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Not really my bag those weeguns..I'm not really a slip on type guy..just like the tasseled loafers..they may be mod..but in the 80s as a teen they were worn by alcoholics and pikeys :D

I have a serious shoe problem , with trainers , casual shoes & as my old dad used to call them " proper shoes " [ brogues & Loafers ] i have over 60 pairs :D:yes:

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Guest Beeks

I have a serious shoe problem , with trainers , casual shoes & as my old dad used to call them " proper shoes " [ brogues & Loafers ] i have over 60 pairs :D:yes:

Oh I love my old school Adidas..have a ridiculous amount..Dublins/Stockholms being my faves..but I'm always buying trainers..just want a nice pair of shoes for work..but still quite casual :yes:

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Oh I love my old school Adidas..have a ridiculous amount..Dublins/Stockholms being my faves..but I'm always buying trainers..just want a nice pair of shoes for work..but still quite casual :yes:

There is no other trainer :thumbsup:

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Guest allnightandy

Bit pricey ,but you can,t beat a pair of Loaks. I had a pair that i resoled three times before eventually the shoes started to fall apart. They do plenty of different styles from brogues to slip ons.

Pair on ebay at the mo !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1970s-Loake-brogues-black-8-northern-soul-suedehead-skinhead-mod-ska-/200723975038?pt=UK_Men_s_Vintage_Clothing&hash=item2ebc14cb7e

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Bit pricey ,but you can,t beat a pair of Loaks. I had a pair that i resoled three times before eventually the shoes started to fall apart. They do plenty of different styles from brogues to slip ons.

not all loakes are made in the UK now though. If that is a concearn you need to be carefull which ones you buy.

unlike the cheaney I mentioend still 100% UK manufactured. :yes: and IMO quite a bit better than loakes.

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I dance my life away and have been dancing for the last 10 years in a pair of flat loafer type shoes from Shoe Zone. Leather upper, plastic sole that smoothes really quickly for brilliant floor movement, and only £9.99. I bought loads.. I'm down to one wearing pair and two brand new pairs now. What I'll do when I've used my spares I don't know as they don't sell them now.

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the loakes Brighton loafer is a cool shoe which I like to wear for a more 60 s club /mod night dancing. For a northern night on the floor

it has to be lace up oxford style shoes, Have a pair of Trickers for 5 / 6 years now. Lightweight and leather soled, they really glide one the

floor. Like Cheaneys they not cheap but a quality shoe .

The problem with Bass Weejuns as a dancing shoe is that they stretch with wear and after a while you risk one flying of your foot and

across the room. I speak from experience . But a nice shoe.

But at the end of the day seen some really good dancers in trainers and all sorts of footwear

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Guest lambrettanik

you can still buy royals in wigan from a proper shoe shop called mcnultys in library street,i myself prefer penny loafers for the dance floor,had the same pair for years,got them from ravel(any one remember them)rubber soled ideal for dancing with a liberal use of talc,used to love polyveldts as a dancing shoes,ive known mates wear kung fu slippers too(bowie pants and wedge hair cuts,cavalry belts any one remember them?)

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Might be Mr Hamilton's by Red Or Dead you are looking for Beeks.

Very similar to the old Clark's Oberons but readily available & IMO comfier than the old Clark's thingy's.

https://www.schuh.co.uk/red-or-dead/mens-tan-red-or-dead-mr-hamilton-apron/3102766220

PS, before anybody thinks I have gone all Northern old-school top 500ish I buy them because they are so comfortable :P

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I have a serious shoe problem , with trainers , casual shoes & as my old dad used to call them " proper shoes " [ brogues & Loafers ] i have over 60 pairs :D:yes:

Garv are you really a woman? :g: My mrs is excessive but she has nowhere near that many :huh:

Me I've got one pair for going out that I've had for ten years and a couple of casual pairs!

I bet I havent had 60 pairs of shoes in my entire life

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Garv are you really a woman? :g: My mrs is excessive but she has nowhere near that many :huh:

Me I've got one pair for going out that I've had for ten years and a couple of casual pairs!

I bet I havent had 60 pairs of shoes in my entire life

I bought another pair on Saturday :D & yes i wear them & i won`t buy rubbish. I won`t tell you about my clothes then Steve :shhh: . I have always loved clothes & shoes plus accessories. Its all part of the " the life" for me, there are more important things but i like good schmutter .

I think for some on this scene it just goes hand in hand

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