Balmoral /Oxford Tapering Cap Toe Buying Advice!

[classics]

Hi,

I have been following the forum for sometime and this is the very first time I am posting.

I want to buy a classic Balmoral Black Interview Shoe, the obvious choice is the AE Park Avenue, however I don't like the roundish toe of this shoe. I would rather prefer a Balmoral shoe with a tapering toe much like the C&J Hallam or similar.

Kindly answer my queries:

• Is C&J Hallam (type) of shoe made by Allen Edmonds or any other american brand with goodyear welt construction?
• Is the Hallam or similar tapering cap toe Balmoral appropriate for an Interview?
• Can I find a C&J Hallam type of shoe in Allen Edmonds Price range i-e $300-$350?

Looking forward to your replies,

Thanks.

 

[Ich_Dien]

No
Yes
No

 

[Liquidus]

You could find something under $300 that LOOKS like the Hallam but it would be far lower in quality. I wouldn't spend too much on a pair of shoes that you'll use just for interviews anyway. I also think the Hallam is a little too sleek for interviews.

 

[fritzl]



I wouldn't spend too much on a pair of shoes that you'll use just for interviews anyway.

black captoe bal is a staple in the anglo-american world. so money is not lost, imo.

@op: sorry, no alternatives to offer.

 

[hendrix]



black captoe bal is a staple in the anglo-american world. so money is not lost, imo.

+1 why would you only wear black captoes to interviews?

 

[classics]

The shoes will definitely be used with suits after the interviews!

 

[classics]

hmm.........

I guess there aren't a lot of options.

I was browsing for different shoes and the following came up:

• Johnston & Murphy CORBETT-II (Derby/Blucher) I don't like the dual grain pattern on this shoe, however the toe is immaculate in my opinion. http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?c=1215&pid=57073&VID=57084
• Florsheim Imperial Lawrance (Derby/Blucher) http://www.florsheim.com/shop/style/18194.html
• Florsheim Chatom ((Derby/Blucher) http://www.florsheim.com/shop/style/12083.html
• Cole Haan Air Adams http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=396244&productGroup=396246
• Bostonian VINTAGE http://bostonian.clarksusa.com/eng/product/vintage/28757

None of the above shoes in my opinion are any where near the quality of an AE P.Avenue.

It brings me to another question that is, what are your views about wearing a Derby/Blucher for an important interview ? As the shoe will be in used afterwards.

My ideal shoe still is a classic tapering toe Black Balmoral, upto a price of around $400. This is my first quality leather shoe purchase that is why I am trying hard as the pair of shoes will be for long term use!

If Allen Edmonds / Alden et al offered a shoe which fits my criteria I wouldn't blink before buying them!

Thanks

 

[tgt465]

What about Alden? http://www.aldenshoes.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=133&ParentID=88&PageID=&Action=

While a balmoral is strictly the more correct shoe to wear with a suit, if the interviewer is picky enough to distinguish between balmorals and derbys I would think long and hard about working for such a person.

 

[mcbrown]

Alden does also make a black captoe balmoral...

http://www.aldenshoes.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=37&ParentID=88&PageID=&Action=

Edit: I see you are looking for something with a less rounded toe. Don't know what to tell you... other than that as someone who regularly interviews inexperienced hires (I'm assuming you fall into this category, otherwise you wouldn't be asking this specific question in this way) I have yet to give any positive or negative weight to a candidate's shoes, provided they aren't sneakers. And I'm quite sure I care at least as much about shoes as anyone likely to interview you.

You have identified your problem already - you don't like the appearance of the shoes whose quality you appreciate, and you don't like the quality of shoes that are more to your taste. It's up to you how you make that tradeoff - your interviewers won't care. At your age I would say when in doubt choose the cheapest option - it gives you more freedom to change your mind later. Good luck, and as always YMMV.

 

[Ich_Dien]

You could probably find the Hallam as a second for ¢400.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

What about something from Carmina, e.g. http://www.thearmourystore.com/shoes/carmina-black-punched-captoe-oxford-simpson-last

(I know this has broguing unlike the PA and Hallam, but it would still be perfectly suitable for 99.9% of interviews)

 

[LynahFaithful]



No
Yes
No

Ich - Just for the record. A&E's are made using the Goodyear welting construction process. The Goodyear process is shown very early in the video in the link below.

 

[mxgreen]



What about Alden? http://www.aldenshoes.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=133&ParentID=88&PageID=&Action=
While a balmoral is strictly the more correct shoe to wear with a suit, if the interviewer is picky enough to distinguish between balmorals and derbys I would think long and hard about working for such a person.

Yeah, I was going to suggest Alden's plaza last.

 

[Liquidus]

The Alden black captoe is a good choice. If I'm not mistaken, the Hampton last is sleeker than PA's 5 last (but no where near Hallam level).

 

[Roguls]

E did make the shoe you want. It was called the Soho. Call them and see if they have a pair in your size. Also check eBay.