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I dislike captoes: sell me on them

post #1 of 42
3/7/13 at 4:06am
Thread Starter 
Before I commit SF blasphemy and have Spoo, Foo, Vox, Manton, and others, descend onto me in a sea of rage, I want to give you all time to change my mind and sell me on the allure of the cap toe. I find the look obtuse and can't seem to get past it. When it comes to a shoe, I prefer a wholecut to a cap toe, and don't think that I am alone.

I have used C&J as an example and the 348 last for both photos, so that we compare apples to apples. To me, the Alex is just a much nicer shoe, with a suit, or with a sweater.

So my challenge to you: sell me on a cap toe.



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post #2 of 42
3/7/13 at 5:11am
variety is the spice of life.
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post #3 of 42
3/7/13 at 5:21am
Wholecuts look great when they are brand new and unworn. I find they look increasingly unattractive as they pick up more wear...

There are only a handful of wholecuts that I like, one example being the G&G Hanly (which looks more like an austerity brogue...)

Captoes are versatile and classic.
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post #4 of 42
3/7/13 at 5:44am

Captoe makes long feet look not so long.

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post #5 of 42
3/7/13 at 5:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MalfordOfLondon View Post

Wholecuts look great when they are brand new and unworn. I find they look increasingly unattractive as they pick up more wear....

^^^ this. I like wholecuts but with the absence of any design details to draw the eye, the eye is drawn to the creases, nicks, flaws, etc that the shoe picks up during its lifespan. The cap of the captoe is such a strong design element that it draws the eye and you don't notice the other stuff.
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post #6 of 42
3/7/13 at 6:07am

They serve completely different purposes. The cap-toe is a very conservative, classic business shoe. The wholecut is much less consevative, and arguably has no place in the business world. Now if you happen to be in a very casual business environment, chances are, no one cares if you wear a wholecut to work.

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post #7 of 42
3/7/13 at 6:37am

I find it hard to believe that there are many workplaces where anyone - other than an SFer - would notice the difference. Certainly in my workplace management wear brown brogues to the office all too often.

 

That said, I agree with the above points that wholecut shoes look bland. The only plain toe shoes I have in black are monks, which gives a different visual element to itself.

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post #8 of 42
3/7/13 at 6:40am

Buy what you like.  There isn't a style of shoe that I particularly dislike, but if there were, I wouldn't be looking to be sold on it by those who hold a different aesthetic preference.

 

I'm not a huge cap toe fan, but it is a safe and conservative choice that will offend no-one.  If conformity is your main goal in dressing for business, you could hardly make a better choice.

 

I like wholecuts very much but don't presently own a pair.  The lines have to be REALLY right on such a shoe, else they can kind of look like shapeless blobs. 

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post #9 of 42
3/7/13 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerP View Post

Buy what you like.  There isn't a style of shoe that I particularly dislike, but if there were, I wouldn't be looking to be sold on it by those who hold a different aesthetic preference.

 

I have a particular dislike for mid-brown closed lace brogues. Why? Pointless, pointless shoes.

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post #10 of 42
3/7/13 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerP View Post

The lines have to be REALLY right on such a shoe, else they can kind of look like shapeless blobs. 

This in bundles. Much like the shape of a breast patch pocket.... It can make or break.
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post #11 of 42
3/7/13 at 7:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikkelM View Post

Captoe makes long feet look not so long.

This is the correct answer. Bigfoots should go cap toes always, lest their feet look hulkish.
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post #12 of 42
3/7/13 at 7:31am

The only way to sell you on a shoe you don't like is if you have a need for that shoe.  If you work in a professional environment then the cap-toe is de rigeuer.  If not, then you probably shouldn't wear them.  Think of it like part of a uniform.  If you don't wear the full thing, people will notice.

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post #13 of 42
3/7/13 at 7:46am
if you don't like them, don't buy them.

there is no need to conform if they are not necessary for your environment.

I generally hate wholecuts and PTBs, with the exception of black tie (for wholecuts)
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post #14 of 42
3/7/13 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcox68 View Post

The only way to sell you on a shoe you don't like is if you have a need for that shoe.  If you work in a professional environment then the cap-toe is de rigeuer.  If not, then you probably shouldn't wear them.  Think of it like part of a uniform.  If you don't wear the full thing, people will notice.

Captoes are not the only appropriate shoe in a conservative work environment. Far from it.
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post #15 of 42
3/7/13 at 8:15am
Why would we want to make you like something you don't? Don't like 'em, don't wear 'em. smile.gif
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