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suuteebird

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Hey everyone! It has been a couple of years since I was active on SF. Rumors of GMTOs and trunk shows brought me out from underneath my rock. For my old school weasels, the answer is "both, and some shell." For the newbies, please remember "fit is king."

Overall, glad to see things haven't changed. I hope everyone is wearing their shoes in good health. Like some, my purchases came to a halt in 2020. Also over the last year, my professional attire has shifted in quite the casual direction. That, coupled with on-going foot issues, has me considering a... sneaker makeup or two.

As many of you may recall, I've been the president of the anti dress sneaker fan club. That said I was hoping that a grey suede strand on white or black and/or a natty CXL courtside on brick would be a decent casual makeup. Am I crazy? Keep in mind chronic foot pain will drive you to almost anything.

Along those same lines, could a park with a copper upper and black sole be "hidden" enough as a semi dress shoe, for situations where you'd be on your feet at an all day event (e.g., where many would be in bad chinos and bad sneakers)??

And lastly, since I know this thread is better with pictures... this popped up on my phone as a memory from 2 or 3 years ago. Some oldy but goodies amongst my early stable of boots.

yes, a Park sneaker on a black sole passes easily as a “non-sneaker” sneaker. You will be comfortable and very few, if any will notice. D8CC0338-1CA1-41BD-A48C-844496CB53B5.jpeg
 

NYCTechNerd

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Hey everyone! It has been a couple of years since I was active on SF. Rumors of GMTOs and trunk shows brought me out from underneath my rock. For my old school weasels, the answer is "both, and some shell." For the newbies, please remember "fit is king."

Overall, glad to see things haven't changed. I hope everyone is wearing their shoes in good health. Like some, my purchases came to a halt in 2020. Also over the last year, my professional attire has shifted in quite the casual direction. That, coupled with on-going foot issues, has me considering a... sneaker makeup or two.

As many of you may recall, I've been the president of the anti dress sneaker fan club.
That said I was hoping that a grey suede strand on white or black and/or a natty CXL courtside on brick would be a decent casual makeup. Am I crazy? Keep in mind chronic foot pain will drive you to almost anything.

Along those same lines, could a park with a copper upper and black sole be "hidden" enough as a semi dress shoe, for situations where you'd be on your feet at an all day event (e.g., where many would be in bad chinos and bad sneakers)??

If comfort and casual (but not too casual) is the issue, my vote is for a Wilbert (which I own). As to dress sneakers, I think they live in no mans land so go full in and get an actual sneaker: CXL courtside on brick.

yes, a Park sneaker on a black sole passes easily as a “non-sneaker” sneaker. You will be comfortable and very few, if any will notice.

View attachment 1561249

What about the side view?
 

ronscuba

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If comfort and casual (but not too casual) is the issue, my vote is for a Wilbert (which I own). As to dress sneakers, I think they live in no mans land so go full in and get an actual sneaker: CXL courtside on brick.

What about the side view?
For your shoe purchases, do you tend to buy from the in store stock or online ? We are lucky many of the known manufacturers have boutiques in NYC. My problem is having small feet and finding my size.
 

NYCTechNerd

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For your shoe purchases, do you tend to buy from the in store stock or online ? We are lucky many of the known manufacturers have boutiques in NYC. My problem is having small feet and finding my size.

I assume you are referencing my earlier AE post (and maybe a Carmina post as well) so here are my answers:
  • 1 AE Wilbert in-store pre-pandemic and still have it.
  • 30+ AE of all sorts online during pandemic - all returned mostly due to QC issues (several were used to determine sizing on different lasts because three different stores gave me three different measurements on Brannock pre-pandemic)
  • 2 Carminas online during pandemic (NYC store does not stock Detroit last) - 1 returned because shoes were not the same color
  • 2 Aldens online during pandemic. 1 should have been returned due to heel being noticeably narrower/shorter than other one and installed crooked but was not bad enough (according to retailer) and I got a small discount for purchasing two at the same time so I had to agree to no returns.
Unfortunately my foot size changed and I was going more casual just about the same time we went into lockdown so I have not had the opportunity to visit stores. Even though many are now open I still do not think it is safe to visit any of them. I am probably going to sit on the sidelines until I have been vaccinated and the country has herd immunity before I purchase anything else in-person but I am 100% done with online for now (and possibly forever).
 

JFWR

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I assume you are referencing my earlier AE post (and maybe a Carmina post as well) so here are my answers:
  • 1 AE Wilbert in-store pre-pandemic and still have it.
  • 30+ AE of all sorts online during pandemic - all returned mostly due to QC issues (several were used to determine sizing on different lasts because three different stores gave me three different measurements on Brannock pre-pandemic)
  • 2 Carminas online during pandemic (NYC store does not stock Detroit last) - 1 returned because shoes were not the same color
  • 2 Aldens online during pandemic. 1 should have been returned due to heel being noticeably narrower/shorter than other one and installed crooked but was not bad enough (according to retailer) and I got a small discount for purchasing two at the same time so I had to agree to no returns.
Unfortunately my foot size changed and I was going more casual just about the same time we went into lockdown so I have not had the opportunity to visit stores. Even though many are now open I still do not think it is safe to visit any of them. I am probably going to sit on the sidelines until I have been vaccinated and the country has herd immunity before I purchase anything else in-person but I am 100% done with online for now (and possibly forever).

Jeez. 30+ AEs? No wonder there are so many 2nds floating about.
 

audog

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I assume you are referencing my earlier AE post (and maybe a Carmina post as well) so here are my answers:
  • 1 AE Wilbert in-store pre-pandemic and still have it.
  • 30+ AE of all sorts online during pandemic - all returned mostly due to QC issues (several were used to determine sizing on different lasts because three different stores gave me three different measurements on Brannock pre-pandemic)
  • 2 Carminas online during pandemic (NYC store does not stock Detroit last) - 1 returned because shoes were not the same color
  • 2 Aldens online during pandemic. 1 should have been returned due to heel being noticeably narrower/shorter than other one and installed crooked but was not bad enough (according to retailer) and I got a small discount for purchasing two at the same time so I had to agree to no returns.
Unfortunately my foot size changed and I was going more casual just about the same time we went into lockdown so I have not had the opportunity to visit stores. Even though many are now open I still do not think it is safe to visit any of them. I am probably going to sit on the sidelines until I have been vaccinated and the country has herd immunity before I purchase anything else in-person but I am 100% done with online for now (and possibly forever).
No decent footwear stores anywhere near me, 2.5 hour drive, one way, to closest AE store, Alden is over 4 hours away, so I'm stuck with online.
 

NYCTechNerd

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Jeez. 30+ AEs? No wonder there are so many 2nds floating about.


Only about 3-4 pairs of those were seconds. I gave up on F2s quickly knowing they are not for me. And about 7-10 were for sizing issues on different lasts so I still sent back about 20 pairs that had significant QC issues.
 

NYCTechNerd

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No decent footwear stores anywhere near me, 2.5 hour drive, one way, to closest AE store, Alden is over 4 hours away, so I'm stuck with online.

I can't really help you with AE because their online is very good but...

One I have had the vaccine and there is herd immunity, I will be happy to be your eyes and ears for AoM, Moulded Shoe, Leffot, and occasionally TSM all via FaceTime if that will help. A few times a year I might also be able to help you at Louie Retail in the Boston area (when my wife and I visit her mother).

Apparently, LaRossa Shoe Repair, which is owned by the same family, is at the same location, and pre-dates Louie Retail is one of a few, if not the only one, who can replace the official Alden commando sole without your shoes being sent back to the factory.
 

JFWR

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Only about 3-4 pairs of those were seconds. I gave up on F2s quickly knowing they are not for me. And about 7-10 were for sizing issues on different lasts so I still sent back about 20 pairs that had significant QC issues.

When you buy and return unworn shoes they become seconds.
 
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