Ask A Question, Get An Answer... - Post All Quick Questions Here (Classic menswear)

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

This may seem like an odd question coming from a shoe horse such as myself, but what is the "ultimate" black dress shoe? Like, the shoe you would wear to a funeral or court appearance. Plain toe? Cap toe? Wholecut?

in europe it is plain toe - either derby/blucher or bal/oxford, no wholecuts

in the U.S. it seems a bal cap toe.

 

[kitonbrioni]

RB overcoat
BR scarf
Gates gloves
LP sweater
Kiton pant
** belt
PS socks
testoni slip-ons
Kiton cologne
Patek watch

 

[zbelden00]

http://www.landsend.com/pp/PlainFron...5&origin=index

Anyone buy/wear these lands end wool pants? They look like the perfect work business/casual pants while not being too expensive.. Are they good quality/fit?

 

[Troilus]

My briefcase has a little scuff on one corner due to wear. Can I use a little shoe polish to touch it up, or is a bad idea?

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Gaziano & Girling "Oxford"

Originally Posted by onix

Plain cap toe bals.

Originally Posted by fritzl

in europe it is plain toe - either derby/blucher or bal/oxford, no wholecuts

in the U.S. it seems a bal cap toe.

Sounds like a consensus. Thanks, fellows.

 

[bleachboy]

Originally Posted by Troilus

My briefcase has a little scuff on one corner due to wear. Can I use a little shoe polish to touch it up, or is a bad idea?

If it's black, go for it. I have touched up my wife's black purses in this way. I used shoe cream, though, not wax polish.

 

[cromulated]

Originally Posted by dah328

It depends on what you mean by "hi-shine." If you're referring to corrected grain leather with a shiny finish, the answer is no. If you're referring to patent leather, the answer is probably not. There are different qualities of patent leather, but I don't think any of them are as durable as a quality full-grain calf leather.

ah, thanks. i mean "hi-shine" as on, say, the barker dermot (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/1516.php) vs. the black calf barker flynn (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/1520.php)

 

[JamesX]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

This may seem like an odd question coming from a shoe horse such as myself, but what is the "ultimate" black dress shoe? Like, the shoe you would wear to a funeral or court appearance. Plain toe? Cap toe? Wholecut?

Plain Toe without any embellishment is the most formal.

Not sure where Whole Cut fits in, my gut feels it is a casual shoe.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

This may seem like an odd question coming from a shoe horse such as myself, but what is the "ultimate" black dress shoe? Like, the shoe you would wear to a funeral or court appearance. Plain toe? Cap toe? Wholecut?

 

[retozimmermann]

Originally Posted by JamesX

Plain Toe without any embellishment is the most formal.

Not sure where Whole Cut fits in, my gut feels it is a casual shoe.


I disagree. It may depend on type of formality. If you're talking work-environment, a cap-toe Oxford is as formal as it gets. If you're talking festive occasion, then a wholecut beats the cap-toe. This doesn't mean it cannot be worn casually but it isn't a casual shoe as such.

In my view it is comparable to a dinner jacket: fewer buttons, no pocket flaps, generally cleaner lines. But I don't think one could say which is more formal: a dinner jacket or a blue navy two-button suit. It depends on the occasion.

 

[Surreal]

I need a new, fitting suit. This is the best I have found so far:

Should I go for it? Sorry for the bad quality pics, I couldn't make any better ones. It's wool btw.

 

[dah328]

Originally Posted by Surreal

I need a new, fitting suit. This is the best I have found so far:
Should I go for it?

Sorry for the bad quality pics, I couldn't make any better ones. It's wool btw.
It looks too big across the shoulders for you. Look how it's standing off the left side of your neck.

 

[dah328]

Originally Posted by cromulated

ah, thanks. i mean "hi-shine" as on, say, the barker dermot (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/1516.php) vs. the black calf barker flynn (http://www.pediwear.co.uk/barker/products/1520.php)
Well, the Dermot is definitely not patent leather. I would guess based on price that it's corrected-grain (or lower quality) leather. Corrected grain leather, regardless of its degree of shine, is not nearly as durable as full-grain leather because it's essentially a veneer of surface leather applied over a lower-grade leather. Do a search here for corrected grain leather if you need more info on it. There are several very informative threads on it.

 

[cromulated]

Originally Posted by dah328

Well, the Dermot is definitely not patent leather. I would guess based on price that it's corrected-grain (or lower quality) leather. Corrected grain leather, regardless of its degree of shine, is not nearly as durable as full-grain leather because it's essentially a veneer of surface leather applied over a lower-grade leather. Do a search here for corrected grain leather if you need more info on it. There are several very informative threads on it.

will do...thanks again!

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by bleachboy

If it's black, go for it. I have touched up my wife's black purses in this way. I used shoe cream, though, not wax polish.

neither can do harm to a leather briefcase, quasi