An Honest Question about Shoes

[Mr. Soprano]

This is my first post, and in order to keep a long story short, I am a 29 year-old graduate student that interns at a professional clinic.

I live in the south, but I abhor the southern laziness that is the polo shirt, slacks and slip-ons look. I don't try to fit in, but I also cannot afford the best there is on a student's salary.

I am slowly becoming a shoe buff, and in the midst of re-organizing my shoe wardrobe, I need a classy pair of both brown and black shoes. I find Florsheim to be right around my price range and I am looking at these two.

These are at the absolute TOP of my price range.

The Millport in Black ($140)

and

The Otavio in Brown ($165)

Now, my question is posed to you. Can you recommend these to me, or should I be looking at something else?

Also, combined with the ones below, should I be looking for a nice loafer as well?

For a little more information, here is what I am working with currently

The above were both Christmas gifts

 

[acridsheep]

They aren't terrible, but you won't find much love here for anything but vintage Florsheim. The new stuff is not so great, apparently, though I have no direct experience. I will say that the price point you are hovering around is a tough one. It is on the lower end, but certainly pricier than the stuff you find in most malls. I purchased a pair of Cole Haan brown cap toes at that price point that, like the shoes you posted, look really nice. They are falling apart rapidly, however.

On the other hand, I purchased a pair of Allen Edmond Strands that were very gently used for about the same price. Unlike the Cole haans, the quality of the Strands is not in doubt. I bet if you poked around the B&S forum and eBay, you can find high quality, lightly used shoes for a similar price.

Also, check out the thrifts from time to time. Just today I found a pair of barely broken in burgundy Alden medallion cap toes for $7!!!!

 

[HalfCanvas]

What will you be wearing the shoes with? Be as descriptive and precise as reasonably possible.

 

[bjornb17]

Not to encourage the scorn of others here,

but really look into Allen Edmonds. You can always find a good pair of seconds directly from them for that price range and will be leaps and bounds better than florsheim. Also, check out websites like 6pm.com, where sometimes you can find new pairs there in that price range. I have 4 pairs of AE shoes (3 pairs of new, 1 pair of seconds) that were all under that price.

 

[emptym]

I second the eBay and thrift store suggestions. Look for such brands as Alden, AE, Alfred Sargent, Crockett and Jones, Grenson, Peal, Trickers...

 

[Mr. Soprano]

Originally Posted by HalfCanvas

What will you be wearing the shoes with? Be as descriptive and precise as reasonably possible.

Mostly slacks and chinos. Since I live in Georgia with the hot humidity in the summer, I do plan on tucking in polos with slacks, but I do not plan on wearing shorts at any time.

I am in a clinical setting when I am not in my graduate classes. I wear a lot of Banana Republic, Ben Sherman, and Original Penguin stuff, aside from things i pluck from stores when the price is right.

After my doc program, I will most likely be able to afford shoes that are hundreds of dollars more, but for now, I just cant justify paying that much on multiple pairs of shoes.

Hope that helps, and to all, I sincerely apprecate the offers of help. I really do.

 

[Mr. Soprano]

Originally Posted by bjornb17

Not to encourage the scorn of others here,

but really look into Allen Edmonds. You can always find a good pair of seconds directly from them for that price range and will be leaps and bounds better than florsheim. Also, check out websites like 6pm.com, where sometimes you can find new pairs there in that price range. I have 4 pairs of AE shoes (3 pairs of new, 1 pair of seconds) that were all under that price.

I have looked at them, and I recently bought 4 shoe trees from them. Still a bit pricey for a person that needs multiple shoes NOW.

To be fair, the Otavio is the Imperial Collection, and the Millport is a limited collection. I don't think the quality would let me down, at least until I graduate and can make some more money.

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by bjornb17

Not to encourage the scorn of others here,

but really look into Allen Edmonds. You can always find a good pair of seconds directly from them for that price range and will be leaps and bounds better than florsheim. Also, check out websites like 6pm.com, where sometimes you can find new pairs there in that price range. I have 4 pairs of AE shoes (3 pairs of new, 1 pair of seconds) that were all under that price.

This answer has my approval.

The shoe bank has seconds for 25% or more off retail.

 

[Mr. Soprano]

Originally Posted by acridsheep

They aren't terrible, but you won't find much love here for anything but vintage Florsheim. The new stuff is not so great, apparently, though I have no direct experience. I will say that the price point you are hovering around is a tough one. It is on the lower end, but certainly pricier than the stuff you find in most malls. I purchased a pair of Cole Haan brown cap toes at that price point that, like the shoes you posted, look really nice. They are falling apart rapidly, however.

On the other hand, I purchased a pair of Allen Edmond Strands that were very gently used for about the same price. Unlike the Cole haans, the quality of the Strands is not in doubt. I bet if you poked around the B&S forum and eBay, you can find high quality, lightly used shoes for a similar price.

Also, check out the thrifts from time to time. Just today I found a pair of barely broken in burgundy Alden medallion cap toes for $7!!!!

I thank you for the advice. I have been checking ebay, but I haven't come upon shoes that are lightly used, only some beat up models.

 

[ArsenalDan]

Keep rockin with thrift stores, vintage stores and ebay. via those channels, you should definitely be able to find great shoes that you are looking for $140 or less. I've had 5 or 6 great thrift/vintage shoe finds, and none were even half that price.

 

[Mr. Soprano]

Originally Posted by ArsenalDan

Keep rockin with thrift stores, vintage stores and ebay. via those channels, you should definitely be able to find great shoes that you are looking for $140 or less. I've had 5 or 6 great thrift/vintage shoe finds, and none were even half that price.

I hear ya, but my biggest problems lie in two areas.

1. I live in a small college town, in a country setting. I doubt anyone here owns a shoe over 200 dollars in the first place.

2. I have classes, and internship, an assistantship, a girlfriend and an outside bartending job. Not a whole lot of time to browse a thrift shore on a consistent basis. I know that in order to find that jewel, you should be prepared to visit often.

 

[Navi]

nthing Allen Edmonds. Get you some used Strands from ebay; it definitely takes time to find a deal in your size but it will happen. Patience is a virtue.

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by Mr. Soprano

I thank you for the advice. I have been checking ebay, but I haven't come upon shoes that are lightly used, only some beat up models.

What's your size?

 

[Mr. Soprano]

Originally Posted by onix

What's your size?

10.5 US D (normal) width

 

[MikeDT]

Originally Posted by ArsenalDan

Keep rockin with thrift stores, vintage stores and ebay. via those channels, you should definitely be able to find great shoes that you are looking for $140 or less. I've had 5 or 6 great thrift/vintage shoe finds, and none were even half that price.
Myself, I would never buy used shoes. Mainly because I don't want to run the risk of getting someone else's athlete's foot, verrucas or worse.