A return to black shoes for 2013

There is nothing wrong with black shoes. I'm surprised to find someone without, even on this forum. Get some, be happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JubeiSpiegel 

I had only black "shoes" when i joined SF. I have progressed to having no black shoes at the moment. There are times that i recognize that black shoes are needed in certain instances. Now, i am on the quest for a pair of black shoes again.
Only question is, do stay at a moderate cost, because i won't use them much? Or do i go expensive, because the times i will use them, they will present a certain level of professionalism and elegance? I still haven't decided, but i am seriously considering a black whole cut oxford...

The occasion that calls for black shoes are the times that you need to look your best.  Go all out IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vida 

In my quest for simplicity I am reconsidering black shoes. Currently I have 6 pairs of brown in various shades, chocolate whole cuts being my favorite. While I think brown is warm and elegant, I appreciate the the "modern" and "minimal" aesthetic black offers. I also like the continuity between shoe and my dark suits. Thoughts?

There are different shades/hues of black and the color is classic with good leather maintenance.

I like black shoes a fair bit more than the average SF poster but would caution that black shoes are not necessarily "modern", "minimal" or "simple". There are plenty of more intricately-styled black shoes out there, and the shoe last matters a lot too. I would therefore be very reluctant to  simply elide black shoes as a group with a "minimal" look.

However, it is fair to say if that a black shoe will look more formal than a non-black version of the same last & style.

Within that narrower framework, I do think black shoes are a much nicer-looking option than brown ones for most city looks. For example, I'm not really much of a fan of burgundy or brown shoes with flat worsted business suits. Somewhat countrified looks (regardless of where actually worn) are significantly more pleasant as a gestalt with brown or burgundy shoes though, so there is an element of horses for courses here.

If you're going for a very formal/business-oriented wardrobe, I think there's a strong case for only needing black shoes. If you like wearing tailored clothing outside of a work setting (or wear more casual tailored clothing for work), then it makes sense to have a proportion of other colours. Again, style/last also play a strong part in determining how the colour of the shoe plays with the overall look IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vida 

I like the 888 EG last too. I am also a fan of the G&G Sinatra (TG73 last).

888 is great.  Can't wait to try the TG73 once my Wigmores arrive.