Does every man need a good quality black captoe?

I know a good looking black cap toe is the standard in every man's life for super formal events. My question is does it have to be high quality if we are only going to use it sparingly?

I'm currently considering whether to pickup the AE Park Avenues before the sale at nordstrom runs out on August 1st. I don't have a black captoe right now. I imagine that I might use one a few times before I die for job interviews but that's it really. I work in scrubs when I'm in the hospital and I wouldn't want to wear quality shoes during outpatient care either since I don't want germies from droplet precautions on my shoes.

So should I just get the AE park avenue anyways? I'd jump on it right away actually if I could wear it with trousers and chinos...but 99% of the people here on SF seem to think that's a bad idea using the search key.

YES

Every man needs to have one pair of good quality, formal, cap toe oxfords...

It would be an excellent choice because it will be the most appropriate shoe for almost all the occasions when you will need to wear a suit. If you wore suits more regularly for business and leisure, I might have different advice; but if your suits are really strictly for interviews, weddings, funerals, and graduations, then the Park Avenue would be the shoe you want.

The following male human beings do not need a black captoe shoe:

1. Prisoners.
2. The Dali Lama
3. Paraplegics without feet.
4. Gym teachers.

That is all.

EDIT - Also OP, black captoes are not necessarily the shoe most appropriate for "super formal events". The Opera Pump would be the shoe for "super formal events". The captoe however, will get you through virtually any situation where you would be expected to wear a suit.

Agreed. The PA should be everything you will need.

OP here, thanks for the replies!

What I mean is should I spend the money on a PA when I can just get a similar looking shoe at Target for 35 bucks? The only time a black shoe is required is in funerals anyways right?

I've been hearing how burgundy shoes are becoming the new staple, so perhaps saving the money on a black captoe and investing it in a burgundy might be better suited for interviews and such? Searching around it seems that people here are more willing to to let a burgundy shoe be mixed with trousers and chinos than a black captoe so perhaps it would offer me more versatility...I do feel a little weird not having a black dress shoe right now tho lol.



acousticfoodie said:

The only time a black shoe is required is in funerals anyways right?

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By our definition of required we mean appropriate. In that sense it is required that you wear black shoes with a black tux. With a Black/Charcoal suit you pretty much are stuck with black shoes, unless you are creative enough to do something different, but its more appropriate in a formal event to wear black shoes with a black suit.

A funeral is not the only place wear black shoes are required/appropriate based on a 'dress code'.

You make a good point OP. It's not like these are shoes you'll keep for the rest of your life or anything. By all means, get the cheapest pair of imported garbage you can find at Target. In fact, I'm pretty sure the dollar store down the block has plastic black knock off crocs you can buy. Trust me, unless someone gets in real close to inspect your shoes they'll never know the difference.

OP, check these sweet kicks out.



No one will be able to tell you're wearing pieces of recycled soda bottles on your feet, and if they do then I'm sure they'll just appreciate your commitment to environmental responsibility. Good on ya!



harvey_birdman said:

Unless someone gets in real close to inspect your shoes they'll never know the difference.

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That's what I mean! Whenever I see suits walking around it's hard to tell the quality of their shoes if they are just regular black captoes!

I rarely wear suits, and therefore do not find myself pulling black cap toes out very often. In fact, up until about a year ago the only black cap toes in my arsenal were a pair of cheap Brass Boot Oxfords.

However, now that I have optimized my wardrobe so that the few suits that I do own are very high quality and very well-tailored, I find a good pair of cap toes to be an essential investment. When you go to the trouble to wear well-tailored, high quality clothing, nothing can spoil the look faster than a pair of cheap looking shoes. Anyone in the world could have Brioni show up to their doorstep and make them a custom suit of their best materials. However, if these same people were left to choose their own shoes to pair with the suit, they'd end up look like garbage 95% of the time. There is a reason every WAYWRN post comes with shoe detail. They make an outfit.

Though you may be hesitant to spend a little extra money on a shoe that won't be a workhorse, think of it in terms of ROI. You will wear these shoes sparingly, so if you buy a good pair they will probably end up being your only pair. Maintain them and give them a good polishing every time you take them out of the dust bag, and you won't need to worry about being "that guy".



bourbonbasted said:

Though you may be hesitant to spend a little extra money on a shoe that won't be a workhorse, think of it in terms of ROI. You will wear these shoes sparingly, so if you buy a good pair they will probably end up being your only pair. Maintain them and give them a good polishing every time you take them out of the dust bag, and you won't need to worry about being "that guy".

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Sigh....very well I'll pickup a pair now while its 200 dollars and our dollar hasn't totally collapsed yet...Unless anyone here knows of a better shoe for even cheaper! I'm 25 right now so I guess there might come a time when I will need to wear it regularly.



acousticfoodie said:

Sigh....very well I'll pickup a pair now while its 200 dollars and our dollar hasn't totally collapsed yet...Unless anyone here knows of a better shoe for even cheaper! I'm 25 right now so I guess there might come a time when I will need to wear it regularly.

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Well look around. Check eBay and StyleForum listings. I'm sure you can find a good deal.



acousticfoodie said:

Sigh....very well I'll pickup a pair now while its 200 dollars and our dollar hasn't totally collapsed yet...Unless anyone here knows of a better shoe for even cheaper! I'm 25 right now so I guess there might come a time when I will need to wear it regularly.

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Haha. Regular wear is a whole other ballgame. I cringe to think what I would justify buying if I wore black cap toes "regularly".

Yes. Its such a no brainer.