Tuxedo Shoes

Mecnun · Oct 27, 2006

I am thinking of purchasing the John Lobb Prestige Garnier II shoes. This model is a simple oxford lace-up shoe and I am considering whether to get it in a simple black museum calf leather or in a black patent (shiny) leather. The salespeople at JL have told me that they can get the calf leather very shiny to have a simmilar effect to the patent leather. My question is what forum-members recommend to wear with a tuxedo, black calf leather or patent shiny leather? What would be more stylish and appropriate?

grimslade · Oct 27, 2006

Oh boy.

I'd get the calf. They'll be more versatile that way. Since some here dispute the technical correctness of patent leathers anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure they get a good mirror shine.

jml90 · Oct 27, 2006

I'd do black calf whole cuts

gdl203 · Oct 27, 2006

I guess it depends on your age and the type of black tie events you attend. But I would also vote for the calf shoes with a mirror shine. I just don't like patent leather shoes, however "proper" they may be. I'm not even going to comment on opera pumps - I don't understand how any man can wear those...

whoopee · Oct 27, 2006

I personally think calf pumps would be most stylish and appropriate, but if you have any doubt then abstain. The Garnier II will work fine in highly polished black museum.

Will · Oct 27, 2006

Calf pumps or patent oxfords are the best choices.

If you want the shoes to do double duty, buy them in calf and get a pair of silk laces to wear with your dinner jacket. You'll look dressier than 90% of the men around you.

Ivan Kipling · Oct 28, 2006

I have several pairs. Patent leather oxfords, grosgrain oxfords, and a very shiny calf leather slip on, with grosgrain piping. I use them all, depending on mood, time of the year, occasion, ensemble's needs.

hopkins_student · Oct 28, 2006

Personally, I can't stand the black museum calf. I save black shoes for only the most formal occasions, and I wouldn't want light gray clouds in my shoes on those occasions. I don't think you'll be able to shine black museum to the point where it looks decent enough to be worn with black tie. Also, you have to consider if you'd really wear a black plain toe oxford enough non-black tie to justify not getting appropriate formal shoes.

itsstillmatt · Oct 28, 2006

I had the people at Lobb send me both pairs that you are talking about. I preferred the patent and went with that. The calf is certainly nice, but I think the patent looks better in that particular shoe. I do not think that about all shoes.

A wholecut seems just wrong to me. I do not see it as an appropriate formal shoe. Actually, I don't really like them in general.

itsstillmatt · Oct 28, 2006

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

Personally, I can't stand the black museum calf. I save black shoes for only the most formal occasions, and I wouldn't want light gray clouds in my shoes on those occasions. I don't think you'll be able to shine black museum to the point where it looks decent enough to be worn with black tie. Also, you have to consider if you'd really wear a black plain toe oxford enough non-black tie to justify not getting appropriate formal shoes.
Is the black museum calf cloudy? That is disappointing. I really don't like the whole museum calf thing., but seriously, who wants a cloudy black shoe?

hopkins_student · Oct 28, 2006

Originally Posted by iammatt

Is the black museum calf cloudy? That is disappointing. I really don't like the whole museum calf thing., but seriously, who wants a cloudy black shoe?

The swatch I saw today at the JL trunk show at NM was cloudy, more so even than the dark brown museum.

Honestly, unless you wear black tie on a monthly basis, I'd recommend getting a pair of Brooks Brothers patent oxfords for $250 unless price is no option. Although if price is no option you could get the Garnier II in both patent and black

museum calf

jml90 · Oct 28, 2006

iammattA wholecut seems just wrong to me. I do not see it as an appropriate formal shoe. Actually said:
A wholecut to me would seem more formal than a plain toe bal. It's definately sleeker and more plain.
What's wrong to me is a pump especially with those dainty little bows.

hopkins_student · Oct 28, 2006

Originally Posted by jml90

A wholecut to me would seem more formal than a plain toe bal. It's definately sleeker and more plain.

Aside from wholecut monks, I've never met a wholecut that I liked.

jml90 · Oct 28, 2006

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

Aside from wholecut monks, I've never met a wholecut that I liked.
Quite the opposite with me.

itsstillmatt · Oct 28, 2006

Originally Posted by hopkins_student

Aside from wholecut monks, I've never met a wholecut that I liked.
+1 and I really like wholecut monks.

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