I work in a more-casual-than-business-casual nonprofit environment. Men in my office normally dark jeans or chinos with casual button-up shirts. Casual blazers are the exception, not the norm. Slacks and blazers appear for important meetings with funders or other outside individuals; ties are virtually unheard of.
I'm looking for a versatile, everyday wear-to-work shoe for this environment that makes me look put-together and professional without looking out-of-place for my office, which would be the case for a formal dress shoe. Something that I could wear just as easily with dark jeans and a nice plaid shirt or with slacks and a blazer.
So, I have two questions:
1. I'm thinking that a dark brown suede chukka with a leather- or dainite-type sole could be a great versatile choice. Two good options right now seem to be the Allen Edmonds Amok, on sale for $169; or the Loake Kempton, which I could get for just above $200. Do these seem like good options, and if so, which of the two would you pick? Will the unlined Amok be too cold for the NYC winter? Does the Amok's butyl-soaked leather sole and reverse storm welt mean I could really wear this thing on a wet day?
2. Are there any other shoes that would meet my needs well? Another idea I had was an Alden-type longwing, although that's a bit our of my price range given my nonprofit salary. I'd love any suggestions the group has. If it makes a difference, I'm 30 years old, 5'8", and 135 lbs.
Thanks!
