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Looking for a versatile dress shoe - Page 2

post #16 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:18am
Thread Starter 

I am not in a super conservative environment.  I already own a pair of black interview/funeral shoes as well.  I also own a pair of decent dark brown cap toes that I wear with my slacks.  I wanted something nice that can be both casual and work friendly.  I know that finding one to cover everything is next to impossible.  I actually picked the two at the top since I can get both a good price on sale.  I saw the Mccalister, however I am not sure if that is too dressy to go with jeans????

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post #17 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:19am

definitely would say a balmoral rather than a blucher... bal's look 100x better with a suit IMO

 

my walnut strands from AE look just as good with a nice pair of jeans/casual pants as they do with my suits.  Also, if you want black, i tried these on with jeans a few months ago, and i gotta say, pics do not do them justice.  They look really nice, and i'm sure they will look equally as good with dress pants as well.

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/magnanni-federico-oxford/3155549?origin=category&fashionColor=&resultback=1779

 

 

I also have the AE mccallisters in merlot, but i have yet to wear them with jeans.  i feel the wingtip and merlot color put them more towards the "dress pants" side, however i have no doubt with the right outfit, they can be worn in a more casual manner, its just a more serious looking shoe than the strand

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post #18 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:32am

I recommend Mr B's from Aldo, they're very high quality (most are leather soled as well, handmade the traditional way and are limited editions)

 

This style is one of their best seller:

http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/men/mr-bs/shoes/88823668-mentzel/22

 

 

They also have this style in different colors:

http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/men/mr-bs/shoes/85610069-adamis/28

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post #19 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by UglyJoe View Post

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
I disagree here. This follows one of the "rules" (closed lacing = formal, open lacing = informal), but I find that in most cases closed lacing looks better with formal wear and ok with casual wear, while open lacing typically looks gaudy with formal wear and better with casual. As such I find closed laced shoes to TYPICALLY be more versatile. Honestly though, I feel it has much more to do with the rest of the shoe (brogued, semi-brogued, etc.), as far as how versatile the shoe is.

I own and wear AE Strands in walnut with basically any long pant from suit to jeans, but they aren't catch all. For more formal situations (funerals, interviews, etc.)
I go with a black closed laced shoe, which simply doesn't work with jeans or casually. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
No one shoe is going to do it all for any situation, even if it matches the suit you are wearing. 

who says that? the rules?
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post #20 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexE View Post

Do you work in a super conservative environment (bank? law firm? insurance?). In this case you will not get around black straight cap-toe or plain-toe oxfords, which would look crappy with Jeans. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Else either a wing-tip (example 1) or a half-brogue (example 2) oxford or derby in a medium brown will cover the whole range. Go for whatever you like better and make sure the shoes are of decent quality such that they last a while. Enjoy!

argh, not at all. been there, done that, got the shirt.
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post #21 of 33
7/5/12 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by UglyJoe View Post

I disagree here. This follows one of the "rules" (closed lacing = formal, open lacing = informal), but I find that in most cases closed lacing looks better with formal wear and ok with casual wear, while open lacing typically looks gaudy with formal wear and better with casual. As such I find closed laced shoes to TYPICALLY be more versatile. Honestly though, I feel it has much more to do with the rest of the shoe (brogued, semi-brogued, etc.), as far as how versatile the shoe is.
I said "probably".
Out of the two posted shoes, the AE are actually nice and will work.
#1 and jeans? with skinny and very tapered ones, if he likes this look .umm... yeah, otherwise.. not really...

But I got the impression he will use the shoes more for jeans/slacks and wearing suits rather sporadically, ergo my advice for derby
IRL only few people will notice the difference between open/closed laces on dark shoes (unless the trousers probably have little or no break)

Agreed, there are a lot of factors which will determine the versatility of something
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post #22 of 33
7/5/12 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 

So number 1 is going to be tougher to pair with jeans due to its elongated look?  Does anyone have any pictures of strand with jeans?  I just want to get an idea if possible...I also like the look of the shoes below, I know they are generic...

 

tumblr_lqspt2prJr1ql3x3ho1_500.jpg

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post #23 of 33
7/5/12 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzl View Post


who says that? the rules?

 

My eyes! No, I'm sure it can be done - almost anything can be done. But if you are wearing jeans and just decide to throw on some black cap-toe oxfords you are probably going to look a little silly, no? Much less likely than with a medium to light brown oxford, IMO.

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post #24 of 33
7/5/12 at 6:23pm
Brown monkstraps, double monks, or chelsea boots are extremely versatile. They're not strictly "correct" with a suit, but I don't know of any single shoe that is versatile enough to be optimal with everything from jeans to a suit (maybe a wholecut, as was mentioned earlier).
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post #25 of 33
7/5/12 at 10:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by UglyJoe View Post

My eyes! No, I'm sure it can be done - almost anything can be done. But if you are wearing jeans and just decide to throw on some black cap-toe oxfords you are probably going to look a little silly, no? Much less likely than with a medium to light brown oxford, IMO.

not at all.
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post #26 of 33
7/6/12 at 11:55am

I got the strand, I love it!  Looks great with dark jeans and dress pants.  I just picked it up today before I head to the beach.  They are a bit stiff, I guess they need to be broken in?

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post #27 of 33
7/6/12 at 11:56am

I'd definitely go for the black cap-toe and plain-toe oxfords that I regularly use in the office.

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post #28 of 33
7/6/12 at 1:12pm

If you already have relatively formal black and brown pairs, then why not try

 

1. Cordovan/Oxblood colored wingtips (goes with more than you think; that's my most-used shoe and my office is trousers-no-jacket)

2. Brown suede oxfords (closed lacing if possible, though not necessary)

3. Leather chukkas (NOT suede)

 

Alternatively, take Thinman's suggestions - as he says, there's nothing that'll go flawlessly with everything (and wholecuts are typically quite expensive - the only one I've seen for less than $400 was Shipton & Heaney). 

 

BTW check out the Mr Porter shoe sale right now, they'll have a few things that'll fit the above bill

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post #29 of 33
7/6/12 at 2:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lestyr3 View Post

2. Brown suede oxfords (closed lacing if possible, though not necessary)
FWIW, if I'm not mistaken, oxfords always have closed lacing. Bluchers have open lacing.
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post #30 of 33
7/6/12 at 2:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by b1os View Post


FWIW, if I'm not mistaken, oxfords always have closed lacing. Bluchers have open lacing.


True, not arguing. 

 

It's just that so often bluchers/derbys are described as oxfords in the description when you go shopping for them - makes me want to pull my hair a little bit when I see that.

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