I'm a pretty conservative guy and my tastes always trend back towards more classic wear. But I do also like to make a little bit of a splash. I have a black tie event coming up but my black tie wardrobe is depressingly spare. I have the tux (midnight blue Polo, peak lapel, single breasted), I'll have grosgrain cummerbund and bowtie (black), and a BB bib-front shirt (spread collar, I know it's not totally traditional but I don't love the wing).
Shoes are my problem.
I loathe the plain patent leather shoes that are probably the most "conservative" option, e.g. least likely to stand out in the crowd. I just have never really liked the way they look. So I'd like to go in a different direction. I've considered formal opera pumps, which I guess are the most "appropriate," but damn they take some getting used to. Then there are the velvet slippers that are kind of trendy and seem interesting but also maybe not quite appropriate. They seem more versatile; e.g. I could conceivably wear them outside of the formalwear context, but even then only conceivably. It would be nice to have a monogrammed pair, but there's not the time (I need these on Saturday). It could be fun to have a skull-and-crossbones pair, but also pretty douchey. Then there's just sucking it up and wearing a pair of plain black shoes, maybe monks, polished to a high shine, which is probably the most cost-effective option as my only pair of black shoes are getting a bit threadbare and I could use a new pair anyways.
The contenders:
Formal Opera Pumps (Brooks Brothers):
Velvet Slippers (Del Toro):
Velvet Slippers with a Douchebag Twist (Del Toro):
Black Shoes (BB Peal, but could be anything really):
Plain Old Patent Balmorals:
Got another suggestion? Got a strong opinion? I'm all ears. Just remember - I'm in a rush. Mail order and overnight delivery are a must.
Shoes are my problem.
I loathe the plain patent leather shoes that are probably the most "conservative" option, e.g. least likely to stand out in the crowd. I just have never really liked the way they look. So I'd like to go in a different direction. I've considered formal opera pumps, which I guess are the most "appropriate," but damn they take some getting used to. Then there are the velvet slippers that are kind of trendy and seem interesting but also maybe not quite appropriate. They seem more versatile; e.g. I could conceivably wear them outside of the formalwear context, but even then only conceivably. It would be nice to have a monogrammed pair, but there's not the time (I need these on Saturday). It could be fun to have a skull-and-crossbones pair, but also pretty douchey. Then there's just sucking it up and wearing a pair of plain black shoes, maybe monks, polished to a high shine, which is probably the most cost-effective option as my only pair of black shoes are getting a bit threadbare and I could use a new pair anyways.
The contenders:
Formal Opera Pumps (Brooks Brothers):
Velvet Slippers (Del Toro):
Velvet Slippers with a Douchebag Twist (Del Toro):
Black Shoes (BB Peal, but could be anything really):
Plain Old Patent Balmorals:
Got another suggestion? Got a strong opinion? I'm all ears. Just remember - I'm in a rush. Mail order and overnight delivery are a must.
