Finding fashionable shoes for a newbie

[dragonwalker]

Hello everyone,

First time poster. Right now I'm in the midst of a complete wardrobe redo. This is really a part of some ongoing lifestyle changes that I've been going through the past year for the better. For the past year I ended up losing a dramatic amount of weight with diet and exercise and literally all my clothes don't fit right now. I never considered myself to have a whole lot of fashion sense either and I'd like to take this opportunity to do things the right way.

I'd like to start with shoes first since this seems in my estimation to be the most important part of the wardrobe. In the past I've always bought very practical shoes for example the last few years I've been wearing pairs of pretty plain Clark's. I'd like to change this up and get something more fashionable but not like getting a Nike or Air Jordan shoe. I'd like to get some advice or links about where to go to shop or check out online. I live in the Los Angeles area.

This might be to much to ask but I'm hoping to start my wardrobe off not by buying many different things but a few select quality pieces that I can wear on a regular basis. That means that I'd like to have a shoe that I can wear also as a general purpose wear if that makes sense. I understand that shoes can be expensive and in the past I've never spent more than $70 on a pair but I'm willing to expand that figure for the right pair. I also understand it might be difficult to make these recommendations independent of know what I may be wearing but I'm speaking for the moment in generalities. Hope someone can help.

 

[Distorbiant]

Check out Rick Owens sneakers. He's pretty popular online. Pricey but worth every penny.

 

[dragonwalker]

@Distorbiant, thank you for the recommendation. I have looked at their website and I think that they offer a selection of shoes in the direction I am looking for however the price point is much to high. Are there alternatives that fall into the range of a couple hundred more or less?

 

[mensimageconsultant]

1) Shoes are not the most important part of someone's wardrobe.
2) List your approximate age and your shoe size (length and width), which might help narrow down the options.

 

[Joel Joseph]

Read through the forum...

 

[dragonwalker]

@ mensimageconsultant, I am 26 years old and my shoe size is US 9, usually a stock shoe fits fine but one width larger like an E fits best.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

The width makes it difficult. Fit does matter. Anything standard width ought to be tried on in person first, because 'standard' is a misnomer and a pair might be too narrow. Edit: Zappos has plenty of reviews that describe shoes as running wider or narrower than expected. Also, there's no one magic pair of shoes - a person needs a rotation to prevent accelerated damage to footwear. The Clark's might be worth keeping the rotation. What to add?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/mens-sn...izeFinderId=9&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&page=1
http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/search/mens-shoes
https://www.jcrew.com/mens_category.../PRDOVR~A1355/A1355.jsp?color_name=dark-night

Something like a Jack Purcell or Creative Recreation in a dark color, with few visual frills. Nike and New Balance are too close to athletic sneakers in styling.

 

[abam]

If you're just starting off, you might want to spend a little less and actually figure out what types of styles you like before investing in more expensive pieces. I don't know what kind of research you've done, but you're likely not to get many responses from making your own thread. The best advice for you would be to browse the WAYWT thread (http://www.styleforum.net/t/394687/the-what-are-you-wearing-today-waywt-discussion-thread-part-ii) and take note of the fits that you like and what brands they are, then go research more from there. If you post asking for suggestions for "fashionable" shoes, you're not going to get many responses, since "fashionable" is a super vague and subjective term, considering how diverse fashion is.