I believe a few pages back someone mentioned that there were a lot of black, flat toe, bicycle style shoes lurking around corporate offices. I think even Paul (AE CEO) mentioned something similar to this in one of his discussion board posts. I had never really taken notice of this until about the past week or two after the comments registered... and let me tell you, there definitely are a LOT of black, flat toe, bicycle shoes not only in my office, but in many other venues as well.
At any rate, confirmed that having great footwear definitely sets you apart from the pack and sets the tone of you being someone that has it all together.
Took a quick (crapy iPhone) pic of my #8 Cambridge shells in a moment of inspiration. The yellow evening sun and glare don't do them justice, but even in the crappy picture, they were head and shoulders above anything else in the office today!
Fantastic shot, that is a glory shot if there ever was one. And many great posts following. I was one of those that brought up a few pages back about the ubiquitous black square toed bicycle shoes when someone was asking about entering the professional services field, and he was wondering if the Leeds would be a good shoe. And I said he would be head and shoulders above his peers. Besides that was my first shoe for the same position when I entered the civilan work force.
Men most definitely notice your shoes either consciously or subconsciously. Earlier this spring we brought together all the CFO’s from the Regional Sites and they were standing in a group in the meeting room. I was nearby talking to someone else and wearing my shell Cambridge shoes. I heard one of the CFO’s ask “who was he” and out of the corner of my eye saw him point to me. Another CFO said he didn’t know but based on the shoes I was wearing I was somebody, and several of them nodded in agreement. Once the meeting started and introductions made I think they were surprised that I really wasn’t the “somebody” they thought. But still during the meeting they leaned forward when I spoke, and looked at me when they asked questions.
Three others and I take a walk in the afternoon for half an hour along a paved bicycle trail (conference room O for Outside) most nice days to meet and update each other on what we are working on. Not long ago we got a call and had to head back and I saw a shortcut through the grass between 2 industrial buildings. Just off the trail was a washed out area but I could tell it was dry so said let’s go this way and headed off the trail. They all three yelled that I was going to ruin my nice shoes and reached to grab me. I was wearing walnut McAllisters. They are in their lower to upper 30’s and wear those black bicycle shoes, but absolutely they notice.
As far as women and shoes and being single after almost 25 years of marriage… Well I dress for myself so that I look and feel good. If a woman likes my shoes great but I am not going to change them if they don’t like them. When I was married I would yield to the judgment of my wife to keep peace. So far I haven’t had any complaints, at least not yet. But I do get complients from women of all ages, on my ties as much as my shoes for some reason. I have been told and read that shoes are the first thing a woman notices on a man however.
Totally agree that feel is one of if not the most important thing about polishing and maintaining shoes, both calf and shell. I have had a lot of people ask me to explain how I do it and it is hard for me to explain the “feel” part of the process. Great job of explaining it PK35216. Now I'm wishing I would have picked up those brown shell Leeds on ebay last week!
