Moral support please

BjornH · Apr 28, 2004

Last summer I drifted into a Fratelli Rossetti store during their sale. Having a pint in my system at the time I made a quick decision and walked away with the shoes pictured. When I came home I unpacked my suitcase and showed them to my better half. To cut a long story short they have sat on the shelf since then in their dust bags. Now, having moved to a country where nobody knows me I am tempted to put them into rotation as I am strangely drawn to them. I suppose she has a point as they are not very masculine looking shoes but they are lovely to look at. Any suggestions ? I am a bit at a loss as to what to wear them with as they seem a bit long and narrow and won't go well with narrow trousers. The colour has also caused me problems but I still think that light coloured trousers are the best bet. Are they perhaps just plain silly looking or am I just not man enough to wear delicate shoes like this ? As for care, I'm hesitant to use a coloured wax on them and have only treated them with neutral cream. They seem to be likely to aquire a fine antique finish given time but one carless move could rule that out. B

regularjoe · Apr 28, 2004

They're far better than any shoes I have, but I see nothing wrong with them.

I'd wear 'em if I had 'em.

fareau · Apr 28, 2004

I think that those are pretty sharp looking shoes and really can't imagine why your wife(?) would think they are effeminate. It's a tragedy to let them sit on your shelf. In fact, you should go put them on right now. There are a variety of colored trousers that would work: tan or cream would be an obvious choice, maybe even light blue or green; it's hard to say without seeing them in person.

Thracozaag · Apr 28, 2004

Last summer I drifted into a Fratelli Rossetti store during their sale. Having a pint in my system at the time I made a quick decision and walked away with the shoes pictured. When I came home I unpacked my suitcase and showed them to my better half. To cut a long story short they have sat on the shelf since then in their dust bags. Now, having moved to a country where nobody knows me I am tempted to put them into rotation as I am strangely drawn to them. I suppose she has a point as they are not very masculine looking shoes but they are lovely to look at. Any suggestions ? I am a bit at a loss as to what to wear them with as they seem a bit long and narrow and won't go well with narrow trousers. The colour has also caused me problems but I still think that light coloured trousers are the best bet. Are they perhaps just plain silly looking or am I just not man enough to wear delicate shoes like this ? As for care, I'm hesitant to use a coloured wax on them and have only treated them with neutral cream. They seem to be likely to aquire a fine antique finish given time but one carless move could rule that out. B

It's quite simple--if you don't feel comfortable (both mentally and physically) with an article of clothing--don't wear it. I happen to find those shoes quite beautiful, though.

A Harris · Apr 28, 2004

Great looking shoes..

They are a real classic - nearly every top Italian brand does a very similar version. I'd wear them with slacks and a sportcoat in the summer, or with jeans year-around.

If you don't want to change the color, just use the lightest shade of tan shoe cream that you can find.

LA Guy · Apr 28, 2004

Well, here is a dissenting opinion. The loafers are definitely nice to look at - the color is terrific, and they look well made. However, loafers are never, and have never been, the most masculine of footwear. For one thing, they aren't really practical for anything other than, well, loafing. And they have a lower and slimmer profile than pretty much any other type of shoe (except for Belgian shoes, which are pretty effete as well), and require a slim pant in order for you to not look like you are wearing ballet slippers (again, not a masculine shoe). In the States and the UK, they would probably be described as being very "Euro".

I think that a lot of guys would be put off by them (I would never wear them, personally). But hey, a lot of guys thing messenger bags are only a step removed from carrying a purse, so what do most guys know. So if you like the shoes, are not going to feel self-conscious wearing them, and won't cause marital problems by doing so, then by all means do. Just don't be surprised if your buddies start asking you if you are a fan of Frasier.

Renault78law · Apr 28, 2004

the shoes look great, wear them if YOU like them.
as far as with what and when...i personally wouldn't wear them often (at all?) at night. they would go great with lighter colors on a sunny summer/spring day.

rothko · Apr 28, 2004

um...

<sarcasm>
Yes, those are the ugliest shoes I have ever seen. I don't know how you could ever imagine wearing them.

Being the gentleman that I am, I will graciously help you dispose of those shoes. You see, I have this friend, who is attracted to ugly shoes like those.

Please PM me and I will tell you where you can send those shoes to be disposed.
</sarcasm>

LabelKing · Apr 28, 2004

I think those are some pleasing shoes. And being that Fratelli is a high tier brand one should expect the quality wouldn't be shabby to boot.

I don't see how one could see those shoes as being effete or even mildly feminine. Yes, Belgian's in the conventional person's viewpoint perhaps but still nothing to a point of extremity. Certainly any of the bespoke makers such as Aubercy, Bonora, Berluti or Lattanzi produces a shoe much more stylized than that. Berluti creates an antiqued violet court shoe for that sake. But I'd wear them for that matter.

Perchance they would look fine with black slim trousers cut in the Neapolitan style. I think a contrast would be preferable as to something like tan which tends to blur the colors.

MikeF · Apr 28, 2004

In all seriousness, if you don't want to wear them, I'll happily buy them from you, assuming that they fit. (I take a US size 10.5 or 11 in most shoes, though Fratelli Rossetti seems to fit big - maybe more like a 10.)

discostu004 · Apr 28, 2004

what is wrong with you? i have a pair just like this (lattanzi) and i get compliments every time i wear them. if your "better half" is in any way involved in this, you might select the shoes over her

great shoes. if they're 12, let me know i might buy them

Classic · Apr 28, 2004

I like the shoes and would wear them with jeans.
Show some confidence. You might be surprised at the favourable reactions.

Classic

Steve B. · Apr 29, 2004

I have a pair of Testonis that are pretty similar, just more rounded at the toe, and they're falling apart already (Blake welt). Wear them with most everything but a suit. LAG wears Doc Martens and told somebody to buy Ferragamos in another thread recently. What does he know?

(Except good basketball teams).

Nick M · Apr 29, 2004

I'd wear 'em, maybe with a cream or tan suit and a French blue shirt - it'd be my excuse to buy a cream suit. You've got a matching belt?

matadorpoeta · Apr 29, 2004

i don't object to the style, but i don't like the color. as for you, bjorn, if you really have to think twice about wearing them, they're not for you. sell them to someone who really likes them and will put them to good use. then again you can always put them on to annoy your wife.

Moral support please

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