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Advice on work shoes?

WiseMenOfGotham

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These are my current work shoes:

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Top Row L-R:

- John Lobb Vintage 2004 Black Calf 8000 Last
- Carmina Punched Toe Brown Calf Simpson Last
- Carmina Captoe Brown Suede Simpson Last

Bottom Row L-R:

- Korean Black Tassel Loafer
- John Lobb Chapel Museum Brown Calf 8000 Last
- Carmina Brown Suede Loafer Simpson Last

I like to have a "formal" and "casual" shoe for each color, hence the current rotation. The Carmina Simpson last fits great, but I'm looking to have some more variety for the remainder of my shoes. Regarding my work environment, I am a physician.

Regarding the black tassel loafers, I'm thinking of replacing them with a black loafer (Carmina, Simpson last in Black calf?) or another monk (JL William or Chapel, 8000 last in black?). Any other suggestions?

Regarding burgundy, I'm split between the Edward Green Inverness in Antique Burgundy on the 888 last, G&G Cambridge/Grant/Sinatra in Vintage Rioja on the DG70 last and the John Lobb Philip II on the 7000 last in Plum Museum calf. Any other suggestions for an oxford? Regarding a more casual burgundy shoe, I'm not sure what to be looking for.

Finally, what else do you recommend for a balanced shoe rotation? Something in a lighter brown leather and in suede is an idea, but I'm open to any and all recommendations. I believe that 10-12 pairs in total should be enough. Thank you for your time.
 
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jrd617

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How about a split toe or brogue shitkicker? Something with a dainite or double leather.

Also agreed that those black tassels are pretty useless. I only have one pair of black shoes. The rest are shades of brown/tan/bugundy
 
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WiseMenOfGotham

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I really like Color 8 cordovan but find most Alden shoes to be very bulky. One idea that I'm considering is to buy the Mafanfoo longwing (Alden longwing on the Plaza last). I don't like Alden loafers because I find that the vamp is too short. In addition to the 6 pairs of shoes mentioned above and ignoring a replacement black casual shoe, what else should I be looking for? If you could include the names of various shoes to look into, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for an dressy oxford and casual shoe in burgundy, chestnut brown and a lighter brown suede. Thank you for your time.
 
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jrd617

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Vass, C&J or Dinkelacker?
 

msulinski

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I'm a fan of the C&J Westbourne in chestnut, though they may be slightly below the caliber of shoe you are used to.
 

WiseMenOfGotham

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400


Found these in the classifieds from member Notch, I wonder if I can have them made in cordovan by Vass on the same U-last? Beautiful shoes in oxblood but unfortunately too small.
 
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JubeiSpiegel

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My personal shoe grail lineup, it looks like you are not constrained budget wise:

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JL Phillip & City, EG Dover & Galway, GG St. James, Sinatra, Wigmore & Arran. Good combination of browns, reds, and black. Should covers your casual, business, and formal situations. I would guess some suede, loafers & monks would be next on my list.

But, some burgundy & chestnut would compliment what you have nicely...
 

chogall

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I really like Color 8 cordovan but find most Alden shoes to be very bulky. One idea that I'm considering is to buy the Mafanfoo longwing (Alden longwing on the Plaza last). I don't like Alden loafers because I find that the vamp is too short. In addition to the 6 pairs of shoes mentioned above and ignoring a replacement black casual shoe, what else should I be looking for? If you could include the names of various shoes to look into, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for an dressy oxford and casual shoe in burgundy, chestnut brown and a lighter brown suede. Thank you for your time.

All of your shoes right now are very sleek and in my opinion, some heavier/chunkier shoes would help rounding out your wardrobe for the heavier winter fabrics. So anything that combines rough leather such as Cordovan, grained calf, suede, or rough exotics like Ostrich, elephant, buffalo, etc. And with construction such as Stormwelt, Norwegian welted, Norvegese sewn, etc. Alden LWB in Cordovan is always a good choice

My personal shoe grail lineup, it looks like you are not constrained budget wise:



JL Phillip & City, EG Dover & Galway, GG St. James, Sinatra, Wigmore & Arran. Good combination of browns, reds, and black. Should covers your casual, business, and formal situations. I would guess some suede, loafers & monks would be next on my list.

But, some burgundy & chestnut would compliment what you have nicely...

Nice list. But I think you have two City II in the picture, instead a Philip II and a City II.
 

WiseMenOfGotham

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All of your shoes right now are very sleek and in my opinion, some heavier/chunkier shoes would help rounding out your wardrobe for the heavier winter fabrics.  So anything that combines rough leather such as Cordovan, grained calf, suede, or rough exotics like Ostrich, elephant, buffalo, etc.  And with construction such as Stormwelt, Norwegian welted, Norvegese sewn, etc.  Alden LWB in Cordovan is always a good choice


Would these Mafoofan Alden LWB work for this purpose?

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WiseMenOfGotham

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Also regarding chestnut, does this combination work?

EDIT

Oshinex's G&G Rothschilds in DG70 Vintage Chestnut for Casual:

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Newcomer's G&G Grants for Formal:

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Or these from the G&G blog:

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WiseMenOfGotham

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Not to pry, but why the fixation on two of each color? Some colors are just more suited to casual and others more to formal. I think you'd be better off deviating from that rule.


I won't say it's a fixation, it just makes it easier to quickly coordinate what to wear, being that I can wear either the dressier or casual shoe with a similar color combination. However, I am open to all suggestions.
 
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