Entry level dress shoes - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geran Brown 

 

I didn't say Strands were a waste of money...just I didn't want to waste money without the knowledge first. I wish Williams Field's was my tailor...I thought SV was located somewhere else. If I did buy the Strands then I wouldn't buy a similar shoe to them.  That would be stupid of me.  Pretty much the first time this shoe will be worn would be out with the new girlfriend on a date that requires me to wear a suit and tie (no objections).  I've never owned a nice pair of dress shoes before so I'm looking for something that will last for many years to come and go well with all my suits at some point in time.

Have you thought about Alden?  IMO they are a step up from AE, but still around that $500 range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geran Brown 

 

I didn't say Strands were a waste of money...just I didn't want to waste money without the knowledge first. I wish Williams Field's was my tailor...I thought SV was located somewhere else. If I did buy the Strands then I wouldn't buy a similar shoe to them.  That would be stupid of me.  Pretty much the first time this shoe will be worn would be out with the new girlfriend on a date that requires me to wear a suit and tie (no objections).  I've never owned a nice pair of dress shoes before so I'm looking for something that will last for many years to come and go well with all my suits at some point in time.

The Longevity of a shoe is really dependent on the level of care you give them once you start getting to the level of Allen Edmonds and up.  Are you cycling your shoes? Using shoe trees? Conditioning the leather regularly? There is a lot of great info in the shoe care thread.  Welcome to the forum.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc

Edit: Fixed the layout of the post 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geran Brown 

Hi all,

 

I recently joined the forum after browsing for some time. I came here after wanting to update my style and appearance for a better me and move away from the hoodies and college style.

 

Sot far I've started out with getting custom suits and shirts due to my smaller frame and now I'm trying to find shoes to start with before moving up to Edward Green's or even G&G's. My price limit for entry level shoes is anything $500 or less.  Any recommendations on brands I should be looking at would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

-Geran B.

Entry level? Does this mean that you've never bought a shoe before? Start with a Cole Haan then. For someone who has never worn a real shoe to be talking about Green's  etc seems a bit bizarre to me. What did you wear as a kid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geran Brown 

Stuff my parents bought me or hand me downs from older brothers. I've worn nice shoes before just never bought any for myself. What seems so bizarre to talk about buying Green's or G&G's as my first pair of dress shoes as an adult? Maybe entry level was the wrong term (I'm an ex-race car driver) so my terminology for someone like me might not be the best.

You said you were jus out of Uni so I assumed you were 22 or so. It seemed odd that one of the first pair of shoes you would buy on your own would be the most expensive. Just buy a pair of AE Westchester in black and you'll do fine. They'll fit well and fit in well. If they're good enough for the billionaire mayor of NYC they'll be fine for you.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1607_1_40000000001_-1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snedley 

 

 

You said you were jus out of Uni so I assumed you were 22 or so. It seemed odd that one of the first pair of shoes you would buy on your own would be the most expensive. Just buy a pair of AE Westchester in black and you'll do fine. They'll fit well and fit in well. If they're good enough for the billionaire mayor of NYC they'll be fine for you.

 

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1607_1_40000000001_-1

I'm sorry, but this is the most piece of shit advice I've ever heard.  Buy a pair of shoes because you absolutely love them.  If that's a pair of Allen Edmonds, great.  If it's a pair of G&G's, so be it.  Just because Bloomberg wears Allen Edmonds doesn't mean they're great for this guy (although I appreciate BBG is repping American made).  The things you should factor in are aesthetics, fit, construction, and the environment / situation.  To be honest, the shoe purchases I've been the happiest with are the ones that I go, "Woah" when I first seem them.  For some people that's obnoxious Corthay bright green single eyelet derbys.  For others, it's tankers from Alden.  Inform yourself as well as you can from the online forums and in stores, but don't ever take advice from someone who says, "Get these because so and so wears them".  That's the quickest way to disappointment.

That being said, a well made shoe in your price range that I happen to enjoy for most of the reasons I listed above are Carmina.  Check them out at their webstore and for purchase at Epaulet and The Armoury.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geran Brown 

I had to go back and read if I said I was just out of University. I'm been far removed from Uni it was just my style during the summer and work (very relax working environment). Thank you for the recommendation but unfortunately, I don't buy shoes based on who wears what. For all I know, they couldn't have any style or their style could be completely different than mine. Any mayor or rich person could wear nice shoes but that doesn't mean they are good shoes.
This is a great response and my two biggest factors for shoes is fit and style. If that means I need to spend more, so be it. At least I know my feet won't be hurting after hours in them and I will still look dapper in them

Th eonly reason that I mentioned who wears them is because some people like to argue on here whether some shoe is appropriate for business.  Also, AE comesin a wide variety of size.width and you"ll generally get a better fit than even with some very expensive shoes.