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Recommend your shoes

post #1 of 11
9/20/12 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 

I'm looking for an inexpensive pair of _comfortable_ oxfords, preferably with leather soles and of quality construction. Black.

 

I'm a grad student and want to feel comfortable on my feet, potentially for hours.

 

Can you post a letter of recommendation for your shoes?


Edited by databody - 9/20/12 at 11:51am
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post #2 of 11
9/20/12 at 1:55pm
I don't know what your definition of inexpensive is, but I am going to suggest you look at a pair of Cole Haan's with the Nike Air Technology - maybe the Air Madison. While I do not own any, I have tried them on at my local menswear / shoe store and they are very comfortable - almost like wearing a tennis shoe. And they look pretty good also.

Just a suggestion - good luck in your search.

Chris
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post #3 of 11
9/20/12 at 2:11pm

If you can afford them, get Allen Edmonds (they run between 150-300 on average). They are relatively cheap (when compared to brands of equal quality), and will outlive you if you take care of them. I found a pair of penny loafers used online for three dollars that had a blown out toe. Took them to my cobbler and had him resew the toe along the seam; they're as good as new now! I've had them resoled since, and they've well and molded to my feet. Check ebay for other steals on them.

 

What budget are you working with?

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post #4 of 11
9/20/12 at 3:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hohneokc View Post

I don't know what your definition of inexpensive is, but I am going to suggest you look at a pair of Cole Haan's with the Nike Air Technology - maybe the Air Madison. While I do not own any, I have tried them on at my local menswear / shoe store and they are very comfortable - almost like wearing a tennis shoe. And they look pretty good also.
Just a suggestion - good luck in your search.
Chris

Isn't this SF?

WTF are you recommending here?!

No, do tho follow this advise.
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post #5 of 11
9/20/12 at 3:57pm
Reasonably priced black oxfords with a leather sole? The Allen Edmonds Park Avenue or the Meermin Classic Collection oxford come to mind.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF270_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=2033

As Patek mentioned, I'd avoid Cole Haan as they are glued and not welted. If you're looking for "quality contruction" then you want to avoid glue jobs and look for something that can be resoled.
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post #6 of 11
9/20/12 at 5:14pm
Databody, what size do you wear?

If you go for Allen Edmonds Park Avenue, you may need to get a half size smaller, i.e. if you wear 9 in one brand, try 8.5 for the Park Avenue cuz they run long.

Try them on and be SURE of your size before buying them. I learned the heard way. Bought some Park Avenues brand new, size 8 but I don't wear em anymore cuz they're too tight. Sucks cuz they're practically new.
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post #7 of 11
9/20/12 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your replies--

if it has a leather sole and is comfortable, I aimed to spend 0-250; it appears though that the Allen Edmunds shoes are slightly over, which is OK, if they are 'worth it' (comfortable enough to give an hour long talk in and then stand and talk to people in receptions and walk building to building on a hilly campus and then to evening events--at least twice a week, to err on the safe side).

 

Those Meermins look nice--are they sold in any US dept stores?

 

I'm a size 9 in sneakers but have found that I go down a little in dress shoe sizes. I also am terrible at deciding when a shoe fits me...I'm sure there is a thread for this and will proceed to search for it, but any pointers on that issue, especially if they involve any of the shoes mentioned in this thread and personal experience..

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post #8 of 11
9/21/12 at 8:52am

Your best bet for AE is finding a store that carries them, or better yet, finding one of their own stores and getting measured in house by one of their sales reps. If you can't do that, they have a printable sizing guide with instructions on how to get the most accurate measure on their website.

 

Here: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/TheFitRightView?langId=&storeId=1&catalogId=40000000001
 

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post #9 of 11
9/21/12 at 10:15am
Meermin isn't carried in the US and must be ordered via PayPal. I have several pairs (including a MTO) and have been very happy with them. Pepe has always been great to deal with. Here's a thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/277707/meermin-carmina-2nd-brand/0_100

For AE it would be good to get sized and try them on. As J. Quinn stated the 5 last is one of their longer and narrower lasts. I haven't found a need to size down, but I definitely wear an E width on that last. Nordstrom frequently has them on sale, you can get factory seconds at a pretty big discount by emailing shoebank@allenedmonds.com and SF member allaboutshoes can get you a good discount if you order through him. (No returns though.) http://www.styleforum.net/t/229174/ic-allen-edmonds-mega-thread-nib-park-fifth-ave-strand-macneil-shell-cordovan/0_100
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post #10 of 11
9/21/12 at 10:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by J_Quinn View Post

Databody, what size do you wear?
If you go for Allen Edmonds Park Avenue, you may need to get a half size smaller, i.e. if you wear 9 in one brand, try 8.5 for the Park Avenue cuz they run long.
Try them on and be SURE of your size before buying them. I learned the heard way. Bought some Park Avenues brand new, size 8 but I don't wear em anymore cuz they're too tight. Sucks cuz they're practically new.

WHAT?

I have several pairs of AEs shog[1].gif and they run true to size for the most part. Matter of fact PAs are on the 5 last which is fairly "sleek" and narrow for AEs standards... but they don't run big.
As the above poster said, should try them before buying to make sure the last fits you confortably.
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post #11 of 11
9/21/12 at 1:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by anginaprinzmetal View Post


WHAT?
I have several pairs of AEs shog[1].gif and they run true to size for the most part. Matter of fact PAs are on the 5 last which is fairly "sleek" and narrow for AEs standards... but they don't run big.
As the above poster said, should try them before buying to make sure the last fits you confortably.

 

AE PA runs narrow and long.

 

No matter how much you 'try' on a pair of shoes at the store, you won't know how good they 'fit' after you walk a few miles in them...

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