Are these shoes junk?

[Stavebomb]

http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2011/130507/454544/BROGUES

I just started my first job out of college, and I need shoes and suits! I have a pair of the Allen Edmonds Strand. Does anyone have any knowledge on how these two shoes might compare to eachother?

 

[Deedee]

I dont know about AE shoes since I do not own any but Zara makes by far one of the worst shoes I havew ever seen. There is hardly a pair where there is no glue clearly visible in the sole area. They are pure fashion shoes and I would not suspect them to last long or look too good.

-Dee

 

[Larson McCord]

Don't buy them. Zara is terrible and you already have Strands. Get something like a Captoe. Park Avenue in black is the safe pick. What is your budget?

 

[Stavebomb]

Yeah, thats what I figured judging solely on price. I would not like to spend more than $300. I do realize that it is probably better to invest in a quality pair of shoes, but they are quite expensive for someone making 45k a year.

 

[Larson McCord]



Yeah, thats what I figured judging solely on price. I would not like to spend more than $300. I do realize that it is probably better to invest in a quality pair of shoes, but they are quite expensive for someone making 45k a year.

You can get AE Park Avenues for $300 or less, look at Ebay and the sales forum here. Great staple shoe in black and you will have them for years.

 

[Deedee]

Maybe look into loakes. They have quite a nice range at reasonable prices.

 

[Stavebomb]

These seem to get good reviews, and I like the styling. Any opinions? One review said they are too casual to wear with a suit???

http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-veb...=111&recoName=zap_pdp_cross#additionalReviews

 

[ElDave]



These seem to get good reviews, and I like the styling. Any opinions? One review said they are too casual to wear with a suit???
http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-veb...=111&recoName=zap_pdp_cross#additionalReviews

Stick to conservative options until you have the basics.

 

[MyOtherLife]



http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2011/130507/454544/BROGUES

I just started my first job out of college, and I need shoes and suits! I have a pair of the Allen Edmonds Strand. Does anyone have any knowledge on how these two shoes might compare to eachother?

The Zara shortwings you posted actually don't look bad. They are certainly not in the same league as Allen Edmonds. As you already have pair of AE Strands, I would recommend AE Park Avenue in black. This will be the 'go-to' shoes with your suits until your shoe wardrobe increases.




Zara shoes are plastic welt and glued thin rubber soles. So thin in fact, that you can feel every pebble you walk on. They won't last and you end up buying more and more and wasting your money. With Allen Edmonds, their shoes can be re-crafted and you save money in the long run. I have only 1 pair of Zara loafers in tan. The uppers have very good leather and I had my cobbler do a complete resole and heel ($130). As the shoes had a plastic welt, it forced him to glue the leather soles on. They look much better and feel far more comfortable with leather soles over their original paper thin rubber soles. My total cash outlay was $300 for the shoes and the full resole. It was a big mistake because at that price or less I could have bought a nice pair of brand new Allen Edmonds.
One lower end option you also have, is the Florsheim Kenmoor.



They retail for about $225 but you can probably find a bargain somewhere. After 2 weeks of blisters and blood, they do soften up and are actually ok for the money (at retail). Though out-sourced labour is invoved (India) they do feature a double sole and with care, will last years. They are longwings and not as dressy as the Park Avenues but if kept polishes or at least clean, you'll pass.
Welcome to Styleforum.

 

[idfnl]

I'd probably pass.

Rider Shoe Company has some great deals. Try there...

 

[allaboutshoes]

Not to be biased or anything (because I do have a sales thread with Allen Edmonds), but I've personally tried Zara shoes before and they are complete crap. They are fashion shoes made out of questionable leather (bonded leather which is basically plastic). For $89, you are getting junk. You definitely are better off spending a few more dollars and getting your moneys worth with a pair of Florsheims like ManOfLint said or a pair of Allen Edmonds. The AEs have craftsmanship and are welted shoes which already makes them much stronger.

 

[stevent]

A few Zara ones are decent (made in spain / portugal) but you have to be able to examine in store. Also not worth $89 especially when they go on sale for $20. That being said, a pair of Spanish made ones I picked up a few years back lasted about 8 months before falling apart. I did wear them hard in Europe and in rain all the time but still, should have laster a bit longer.

 

[davidc]

If seconds are okay, try Allen Edmonds Shoebank.