Which Shoe Next?

I need some input from all the pedi-philes lurking about on SL. I have about $1,000.00 to spend, and I'm leaning toward some new shoes. I already have too many, but I also have far too many shirts, sportcoats and suits. What to buy!

I am an attorney, and I seem to be wearing suits less and less often. Still, when I look at high end shoes, I kind of choke choke at the thought of paying $500 or more for a loafer, derby or blucher.

On the dress shoe (balmoral) side, I have two pair of black (Edward Green and Tramezza), and several in brown (C&J Weymouth, and assorted Allen Edmunds). I also have a pair of AE wingtips in merlot.

On the more casual side, I have several pairs of AE loafers, a nice pair of pebble grain Ferragamos, and a couple driving mocs (rarely worn). I also have several pairs of AE bluchers.

I would really like to get a couple more handgrades, and am leaning toward the Audley, the Whitehall (I'd be interested in hearing more about this rounded last), the Clifford and the Belgrave. The problem is, because I don't wear suits very often (probably less than five times a month), I wouldn't get to show these off as much (unless you guys would wear these with wool trousers, shirts without ties and sportcoats).

Most of my suit wardrobe consists of grey shades, with a couple each in blue and brown.

For everyday wear, I have a couple dozen wool trousers covering most of the spectrum. In the summer I wear some cotton and linen trousers as well.

I am a lover of fine shoes but no aficionado, at least not by SF standards. Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

Mark

If I were you, I would go for a calf leather monk (in shade of brown of course) and a nice suede oxford - either of these could be worn with a gray suit or jeans/SC.

Good call on both. I have a couple pairs of monks, but they are Ferragamo (glued) with rubber soles. They are good casual fare, but something like the C&J handgrade monk would be great.

It's not quite clear from your original post but it sounds like you have 1 wingtip?

If so I would add the possibility of a brown or tan wingtip blucher to the above excellent recommendations

You need a nice pair of monks or chelsea boots (brown). I find that I wear mine all the time (I think I wore monkstraps or chelsea boots every day this week!).

Good stuff, guys.

As to the wingtips, I do have a pair of Allen Edmunds chestnut wingtips that are quite nice, but is that enough? If not, what would you recommend?

Any tips on a good Chelsea boot?

Originally Posted by Lawman

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I am an attorney, and I seem to be wearing suits less and less often. Still, when I look at high end shoes, I kind of choke choke at the thought of paying $500 or more for a loafer, derby or blucher.

I understand where you're coming from on this, but wouldn't your money be best spent on the styles you'll wear most often? If you've gone more casual, better to spend that $500 on a shoe you'll wear every week than on one you'll wear 10 times a year, don't you think?

Originally Posted by Lawman

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Good stuff, guys.

As to the wingtips, I do have a pair of Allen Edmunds chestnut wingtips that are quite nice, but is that enough? If not, what would you recommend?

Any tips on a good Chelsea boot?

R.M. Williams are popular around here. If you do a search, you'll find an enormous thread.

Originally Posted by Lawman

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The problem is, because I don't wear suits very often (probably less than five times a month), I wouldn't get to show these off as much (unless you guys would wear these with wool trousers, shirts without ties and sportcoats).

For everyday wear, I have a couple dozen wool trousers covering most of the spectrum. In the summer I wear some cotton and linen trousers as well.


I disagree your notion that you cannot wear these high end shoes sans suit. Personally, I never wear a tie to work, yet I wear all my "nice" shoes with nice slaks. I'm not talking casual shoes, either. I think if your shirt and slacks are nice enough, no reason why you can't sport the Weymouth type of shoes.

JMO.

I hear what Doc Holliday is saying. On the other hand, I do wear nice woolen trousers most days (Zanella, Corneliani, etc.). If the captoe type shoes would work with those, I'd be tickled.

I don't know of the Williams shoes. I'll check them out.

How about an Alden Shell Chukka?

Originally Posted by gumercindo

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I disagree your notion that you cannot wear these high end shoes sans suit. Personally, I never wear a tie to work, yet I wear all my "nice" shoes with nice slaks. I'm not talking casual shoes, either. I think if your shirt and slacks are nice enough, no reason why you can't sport the Weymouth type of shoes.

JMO.

+1. In addition to my monkstraps and chelsea boots, I'll wear a punched captoe balmoral with nice trousers and shirt, sans jacket or tie, and I'll wear wholecuts with jeans. I have yet to be arrested by the fashion police.

Lawman,

what's your shoe size?

lefty

13d.

Sorry. Can't help.

I have a pair of suede monk C&J handgrades that I'll probably sell, but they're 10.5.

lefty