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Shoe advice...

post #1 of 28
10/12/12 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 

First post and thread.. way!

 

Anyway.. off to the point of this.  I need help with choosing some shoes.  I'm currently wanting to transition from tennis shoes to something more.. appropriate/suited to my current attire.  I don't wear suites and the most I ever dress up is something most people would consider business casual.  In fact.. that's all I ever wear for the most part.  Slim fitting pants and a collared shirt.  Occasionally I wear jeans and plain t-shirts as well.. but that is rare.  Tennis shoes just don't look right to me anymore.  I've been wearing chuck taylors my whole life (Seriously.. I was 10 when I first started wearing them).. and honestly.. I'm just sick of them.  So I'm looking for some casual looking but yet dressy if needed dress shoes/boots.

 

I'm pretty open to anything but flashy is not my thing.  I really enjoy very plain yet stylish.. if that makes any sense.  Now I'm new to this obviously.. so I need help finding a quality pair of shoes/boots.  The main reason I'm sick of tennis shoes is they never last anymore than a year or so.  I need something that will last.  I have found some shoes online that I like the style of.. but I am not sure of the quality.  I know these shoes aren't favorites around this place.. first one is Clarks burns easy.. and the second is J&M burchfield... but they are just examples of the style I like.  I like the burnished.. worn in look.. but it's not necessary because I understand eventually new-looking shoes will get that worn in look anyway.  Also not really into super shiny.. but.. maybe that's something that doesn't even matter.  Money isn't so much of an issue if it's something that will last a while.. but the cheaper the better for sure!

 

I need help.. is it obvious?   

 

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post #2 of 28
10/14/12 at 2:20pm
The unoriginal title might be one reason for the lack of views and replies.

Anyway, budget, location (to try on before buying), shoe size, purpose (work)...? The Johnston & Murphy pair looks okay, though it's not a highly regarded brand.
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post #3 of 28
10/14/12 at 3:10pm

If you want something that transitions go for some kind of brogue - if money isn't a huge issue I'd say get the Alden Cordovan Longwing in colour #8. Looks great with jeans and I've seen it look fantastic with suits too - 8 is a really versatile colour and they will last you a lifetime with even fairly moderate TLC . Real workhorse of a shoe, don't have a pair but I'm talking from things I've read here.

 

If you want versatility I wouldn't go for a pair of plain toe bluchers, I don't think they look particularly good at all IMHO, even less in a semi-formal setting

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post #4 of 28
10/14/12 at 3:12pm

 

Here's a pic of them

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post #5 of 28
10/14/12 at 4:40pm
Quote:

i think i see where you're going with the style, those you've pictured could work

how about adding a to boot new york black chukka boot with leather sole to the mix as well ?

 

 

Originally Posted by frenchji View Post

 

First post and thread.. way!

 

Anyway.. off to the point of this.  I need help with choosing some shoes.  I'm currently wanting to transition from tennis shoes to something more.. appropriate/suited to my current attire.  I don't wear suites and the most I ever dress up is something most people would consider business casual.  In fact.. that's all I ever wear for the most part.  Slim fitting pants and a collared shirt.  Occasionally I wear jeans and plain t-shirts as well.. but that is rare.  Tennis shoes just don't look right to me anymore.  I've been wearing chuck taylors my whole life (Seriously.. I was 10 when I first started wearing them).. and honestly.. I'm just sick of them.  So I'm looking for some casual looking but yet dressy if needed dress shoes/boots.

 

I'm pretty open to anything but flashy is not my thing.  I really enjoy very plain yet stylish.. if that makes any sense.  Now I'm new to this obviously.. so I need help finding a quality pair of shoes/boots.  The main reason I'm sick of tennis shoes is they never last anymore than a year or so.  I need something that will last.  I have found some shoes online that I like the style of.. but I am not sure of the quality.  I know these shoes aren't favorites around this place.. first one is Clarks burns easy.. and the second is J&M burchfield... but they are just examples of the style I like.  I like the burnished.. worn in look.. but it's not necessary because I understand eventually new-looking shoes will get that worn in look anyway.  Also not really into super shiny.. but.. maybe that's something that doesn't even matter.  Money isn't so much of an issue if it's something that will last a while.. but the cheaper the better for sure!

 

I need help.. is it obvious?   

 

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post #6 of 28
10/14/12 at 5:07pm
I suggest you look at the Allen Edmonds Black Hills.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2905_1_40000000001_-1

They look better in person than the website photo.

Chris
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post #7 of 28
10/14/12 at 8:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant View Post

The unoriginal title might be one reason for the lack of views and replies.
Anyway, budget, location (to try on before buying), shoe size, purpose (work)...? The Johnston & Murphy pair looks okay, though it's not a highly regarded brand.

Budget.. I don't know.. wouldn't like to go over $200.. but I could if I had to.  Kearney, NE is where I am located.  Purpose of shoe.. just an all purpose everyday shoe.. for work (not that I work anywhere that actually requires dress shoes) and when I'm not at work... like I said.. just sick of tennis shoes.  I know J&M isn't highly regarded.. that's why I'm hear for advice.. 

I know.. I'm not that creative.. didn't know how else to word the title? 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Needsmoreshoes View Post

 

If you want versatility I wouldn't go for a pair of plain toe bluchers, I don't think they look particularly good at all IMHO, even less in a semi-formal setting

I like plain toe.. but I like boring stuff... in fact the pair you suggested seem to busy for me.. and my.. style. 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by hohneokc View Post

I suggest you look at the Allen Edmonds Black Hills.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2905_1_40000000001_-1
They look better in person than the website photo.
Chris

I've actually been looking at these... and the Rapid City's.  Seems Allen Edmonds is a highly regarded brand around these parts.  I actually dig these shoes.. minus the tread on the bottom.  I'm actually from the black hills as well.. so.. that's very interested.. haha!

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post #8 of 28
10/15/12 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoGent View Post
 

What are you saying?  I am a fan of the chukka boot... I would rock a pair.  I don't have anything that matches black though.. really. 

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post #9 of 28
10/15/12 at 10:48am
I would suggest possibly a chukka boot.
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post #10 of 28
10/15/12 at 12:04pm
Maybe this would be okay, if the store carries the shoe in the right size (and color) and the drive isn't too far. Whether the quality is any better than J&M is not known.
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~55755/55755.jsp

In the long run, more than one pair will be needed, because any given pair shouldn't be worn than maybe three days per week (or it will wear out fast).
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post #11 of 28
10/15/12 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant View Post

Maybe this would be okay, if the store carries the shoe in the right size (and color) and the drive isn't too far. Whether the quality is any better than J&M is not known.
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/shoes/oxfords/PRDOVR~55755/55755.jsp
In the long run, more than one pair will be needed, because any given pair shouldn't be worn than maybe three days per week (or it will wear out fast).

 

How fast will it wear?  I'm glad I joined this forum.. I don't know anything about these sort of things.  Could I get by with just one pair.. maybe if I wore some sneakers or something on the weekends or whatnot?

Also.. those shoes look awesome. 

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post #12 of 28
10/15/12 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by frenchji View Post

 

How fast will it wear?  I'm glad I joined this forum.. I don't know anything about these sort of things.  Could I get by with just one pair.. maybe if I wore some sneakers or something on the weekends or whatnot?

Also.. those shoes look awesome. 

Any shoe no matter how poorly or well made it is won't last as long if worn everyday. Always best to have at least two pair to switch between every other day.

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post #13 of 28
10/15/12 at 4:04pm
Going a bit beyond the very basics here but you might find this to be an enlightening read: http://putthison.com/post/27558524428/the-seven-shoe-wardrobe-the-longer-i-write-about
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post #14 of 28
10/15/12 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dddrees View Post

Any shoe no matter how poorly or well made it is won't last as long if worn everyday. Always best to have at least two pair to switch between every other day.

Not to pick on you specifically, but I see this advice a lot and I wonder, does having two pairs make each pair last MORE than twice as long? If the idea that owning more than one pair of shoes because they'll last longer is just based on the fact that you're only wearing each half as often, then that isn't really something notable.
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post #15 of 28
10/15/12 at 4:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquidus View Post


Not to pick on you specifically, but I see this advice a lot and I wonder, does having two pairs make each pair last MORE than twice as long? If the idea that owning more than one pair of shoes because they'll last longer is just based on the fact that you're only wearing each half as often, then that isn't really something notable.

If they are decently made I would think so. Shoes such as something like AEs for example. I'm sure it all depends on the user and how they are used as well. Typically if one invests in quality shoes and has a decent number of pairs you'll also get a better return from your investment as well.

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