Good "value" dress shoe? - Page 4

I've never been a fan of AE's. I'd double your budget and do it right.

oh hell no...hideous

Creasing is normal and inevitable to some degree in leather shoes. I don't know how you intend to use the blowdrier, but I'm pretty certain what you're trying to do won't work.

+1. Ugly, ugly shoes.

I wouldn't say hideous, but definitely not sleek. Would go well with that workwear look if that's your thing.

nah dude, those things are hideous

Yeah, I'd say hideous. For an AE newbie, stick to: Park Avenue, in black or dark brown Fifth Avenue, in black, dark brown, or walnut Strand, in walnut, but only after you have one or more of the above. Seriously. Stick to these three styles, probably in that order, and all will be good. They are also among the most common, and so are easier to find used or as seconds. Your first "nice" shoe should probably be black. It's the safest color, and goes with everything. Not adventurous, but it's just a starting point.

Park Avenue in black
Fifth avenue in dark brown
Strand in walnut

I don't recommend the Fifth Avenue in walnut. I was never happy with it, being too light IMO for the a perforated captoe.

If you check out one of the J & M outlets you might be able find good shoes for $50-$100. Most of the outlet stuff is near full price, but they'll often have one line of shoes stacked up in the front at an insane price. Call around and ask if they've got any under $75 and if so, order them. I got a pair of nice black J & M classic oxfords for $50, and even better they had a buy three get one free sale, so some friends of mine and I bought 3 and got the extra. $150 for 4 pairs of nice shoes, not bad eh? They've lasted 3 years of being worn every other day. I don't know anything about shoe construction, but my father does and he says they're quite high quality.

I bet he knows less than he thinks he does. J&Ms made in the last few years are not what I would call "quite high quality"