Shoe Collection Advice Wanted

Since this is my first post on SF (longtime forum follower, but first time poster) I figured I would show you guys my current collection of shoes. After following the forum for quite some time I have learned the basics about shoe selection, care, and fit which has led me to these current acquisitions. The forum has also helped me get in touch with some great tailors while I was in Asia last Fall for 6 months and I had two bespoke suits, five Jantzen shirts (more to come now that I got fitted at the store), and countless trousers. I sincerely thank you guys for contributing to this forum and helping a young guy like myself (last year of law school) start to shape up. Now here is how you can help me.


Dilemma:

Based on my collection and based on the fact that I am heading back to China after graduation (Beijing, walk a lot and it snows/rains part of the year) I would like to know your opinion on the next evolution of my shoe collection. I would like to get two new shoes to fill the gaps I currently have and would like the shoes to work for a conservative business environment (wearing suits) and also be able to dress up a casual outfit; thus, a dress boot and lace-up. Below are some I really like and feel free to add any other suggestions for gap filling (but, I would like at least one of these rain/snow worthy).

1. Dress Boot : C&J Northcote in Brown, Alden Cap toe Boot #8 in Shell on Plaza, or AS MTO Burgundy Culford
and
2. Lace-up : C&J Polo Darlton Wingtip, Alden Longwing #8 in Shell on Plaza, C&J Hallam in Brown (maybe wax calf version), Alden PTB #8 in Shell on Plaza, or whatever you guys think (you can add suggestions similar to the style you think I would like based on this post)

Future acquisitions that one might consider : Loake Suede Pimlico, C&J Black Belgrave (or similar shoe for solely work), Navy driving moc in calf (crappy casual shoe) , anything else?


Current Range (please don't hate too much, criticism welcome though) :


Top L to R: Chucks, Clarks Desert, BB Penny Loafer #8 Calf
Bottom: AE Strand, BB Peal Perf. Cap toe, AE Park Ave, Crappy DSW Monks (for rain and going out to clubs which are packed and shoes get stepped on)





Can anyone tell me who makes the BB Peal Brown Perf. Captoe, sole below:


Thanks guys! And even if I don't get any responses (likely to happen in such a long winded post), it doesn't really matter because you guys have already helped me out tons from reading the forum for such a long time.

-Cain

Think you're on the right path looking for something in #8, seems you could stand some wingtips or longwings as well. Cordovan shell longwings would fit nicely in your collection.

Be careful on the boots, probably want to make sure you get commando or vibram soles, but if to be used for snow probably need something sturdier than a dress boot.

I vote for a Loake Pimlico in suede with dainite sole. Getting these myself.

Thanks for the insight!

slowblue -The boots are going to have some other sole besides leather so I hope that will be ok...Dainite on the Northcote might pose a problem on ice, but I think it will suffice...hopefully.

Tobias - Yes, Pimlico is a beauty and the only Loake which I tend to like. It will be a purchase in the far term however, because as clunky as it may be, the Clark is my "go to" suede boot until the crepe runs out.

Any other comments? Other shoe suggestions?

^^ Yeah I have a pair of Clarks too, but tbh I don't really enjoy wearing them. The toe is VERY rounded, meaning that they're only good for super-casual, they aren't all that comfortable, some cracks in the seams let water in in the rain, and the beeswax leather has dried right out. So looking to upgrade...

Welcome to Styleforum Cain.
My compliments on your shoe wardrobe thus far. You are off to a good start. I agree something with a Dainite or Commando sole would be good for the bad weather day, whichever will serve your lifestyle needs

tobbiasj - Ya, the Clarks are reminiscent of a suede construction boot lol. But, there is a place for very casual boots once in a while. The thing I like about them is that they go with everything casual in my wardrobe and they feel like I'm walking on butter when I go out and about. You are correct that they are quite inelegant though and wearing such with a streamlined, clean, and semi-dressy clothing apparel will result in utter failure. Btw, ever seen these shoes in real life (what's your impression) ? The reason I want to get the suede it because of he whole "loake calf is crap" consensus I have read throughout the forum; I don't know if it's true but that's just what I glean from some of the posts.

Man of Lint - Thanks for the compliments - although I surely do not deserve them. Any suggestions on the type of shoe other than sole specification?


In general, do you guys think the C&J Northcote is too pointy (348 last) to dress down quite often (I have a smaller foot if that matters, 7uk probably)? Anyone have experience with this boot or similar boot that serves such a dress up/dress down adaptability?

Also, is there anyone with experience with the Plaza and Grant last? Plaza too pointy for a longwing with thick soles? Maybe Grant would be perfect.

First and last bump. Even if no one else responds, thanks for the input gentlemen.



Cain said:

tobbiasj - Ya, the Clarks are reminiscent of a suede construction boot lol. But, there is a place for very casual boots once in a while. The thing I like about them is that they go with everything casual in my wardrobe and they feel like I'm walking on butter when I go out and about. You are correct that they are quite inelegant though and wearing such with a streamlined, clean, and semi-dressy clothing apparel will result in utter failure. Btw, ever seen these shoes in real life (what's your impression) ? The reason I want to get the suede it because of he whole "loake calf is crap" consensus I have read throughout the forum; I don't know if it's true but that's just what I glean from some of the posts.

Click to expand...

Regarding the "loake calf is crap" thing:

I own a couple of pairs of Loakes (Kempton in tan pebble grain, Aldwych in dark brown, used to own Savoy in mahogany), so in one way that makes me qualified to comment. On the other hand, I don't own any higher-end shoes, and I'm a relative noob, so maybe my opinion isn't worth that much. Anyway, I think the calf leather on Loakes is fine: it certainly looks and feels the same as on the one pair of AE that I also own, and I've had no problems with it wearing badly. I suppose it is quite stiff; not sure if this is really a bad thing on something I want to last 5+ years.

Really, if a shoe is made of full-grain calf leather, that's good enough for me. There may well be finer distinctions to make regarding leather quality, but I'm not all that interested in making them, or paying for them (...yet).

W/r/t the Pimlico, I haven't seen it irl, but the Kemptons I do have would be very similar, and IMO they're a great boot. The Pimlico is on the same last as the Aldwych, and this is my favourite Loake last: classic; neither too pointy nor too rounded. I think it would be just about ideal for a boot.