Best Black Lace Ups

[shoes22]

In your opinion what is the best pair of black lace ups out there right now? Please post pics or links as well. I need a pair to wear with a suit. Thanks in advance.

 

[dah328]

That's like asking about the "best" car. There are plenty of great options, but there is no definitive best. Any of the top makers are going to have good examples of black laceups. Look at some of the offering from Edward Green, John Lobb, Vass, or Lattanzi.

 

[shoes22]

That's why I asked for opinion. I live in Florida and it is hard to find good shoes here. I want to order some online. Any help is appreciated.

 

[sho'nuff]

i like posting a picture of some of my black shoes when someone brings up the topic of black shoes.

you dont have to spend upwards of 500 dollars to find a nice pair of black shoes.
i know your question is of practicality so answering with LOBB or Lattanzi is senseless imo.
i say go to nordstrom rack or saks outlet rack nearby your area, you can get santoni classics and ferragamos for around 150.

you can also get AEs of course for around that much or less.
if you can spend more around 300 you can go to francos . com and look at some of the borgioli and gravati options.

 

[shoes22]

Does anyone have any online pics or recs of something I could order? I have an occasion I will need them for the first week of July. Thanks.

 

[DocHolliday]

Try the Park Avenue by Allen-Edmonds. Widely available, good quality, classic style.

 

[dah328]

I'd second the Franco's recommendation. Their customer service is great and their shoes are a good value for the money. You should act quickly in case you need to exchange a pair for a better fit. The following are among their black laceups that I like the most:

http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=29179
http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=29188
http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=25728
http://www.francos.com/items/item.asp?sku5=29826

 

[kitonbrioni]

From bottom to top--
John Lobb blucher
Doc Marten blucher
John Lobb blamoral
RLP blamoral
Gravati blamoral
Gravati blucher
David Eden blucher
http://whatareyouwearingtoday.blogspot.com/

 

[mussel]

Originally Posted by kitonbrioni

From bottom to top--
John Lobb blucher
Doc Marten blucher
John Lobb blamoral
RLP blamoral
Gravati blamoral
Gravati blucher
David Eden blucher
http://whatareyouwearingtoday.blogspot.com/

Those Doc Marten really means business.

 

[Pennglock]

I picked up this pair of EGs on sale from Polo. Definately the nicest black bal I own.

http://www.polo.com/product/index.js...entPage=family

 

[Roger]

dah328 is right; the question as posed is basically unanswerable. What level of formality do you need? Will you be wearing these shoes in important business meetings attended by very well-dressed men? The answers to these questions can help to choose between balmorals and bluchers, with the former more formal than the latter. The answers can also help you to decide between brogues, semi-brogues, cap-toes, or plain-toes (increasing order of formality). Once you think all of this through, you may well decide that a pair of cap-toe balmorals would be most versatile. How much do you want to spend? I didn't see anything in the original question to suggest that higher-end shoes are out of the question.

If you want a pair of stylish, medium-priced black cap-toe balmorals, I would consider a pair by Crockett & Jones purchased from PLal.

http://www.plal.com/

Here you will have a choice between the regular (or "Benchgrade") line at around $325 delivered (check out the Connaught and the Bedford, and possibly the Shaftesbury, at the first link below) and the top-of-the-line Handgrade shoes at around $425 (check out the Audley, Whitehall, and Belgrave at the second link below). When you click onto the links, first maximize the picture, and then click on the page number at the bottom right-hand side of the page. This will bring on an icon with arrows. Click on that icon, and the image will be further maximized.

http://www.plal.com/crockett/cj6n7.jpg
http://www.plal.com/crockett/cj2n3.jpg

To my eye, the C&J shoes are at once more elegant and more conservative (and thus ideal for business)--and just better-looking--than some of the other shoes suggested above. However, opinions will certainly vary on this! If you do decide to buy from PLal, I would think an order placed in the next few days would get to you in time for early July, but you should check this out with Shyam Doshi at PLal to be sure. Good luck in your search.

 

[norcaltransplant]

Re: Black Shoes

Before you decide to plunk $300-500 on a pair of shoes, I highly recommend visiting an actual store before making your purchase. If there is a Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or men’s specialty store in the area, your best bet is to visit one of these establishments and start trying on shoes. Similar to the advice forum members provide about shirting or suiting, figuring out a proper fit with shoes is equally if not the most important part of your wardrobe—they determine your level of comfort. This is especially important during job interviews or long stressful days when you unexpectedly need to walk around. Fortunately, the seasonal sales have started so you might be able to find a nice black shoe that fits well WITH a discount. After acquiring a few dogs in my rotation, I have definitely learned to pass on a few “good” deals or pay a little more once I find a last that fits my foot.

With regards to quality, search the archives or browse J.cusey’s treaty on shoe makers. Almost anything featured in his little segment are at least serviceable, with a few exemplary brands. Though we would all love to wear Edward Green/John Lobb/Lattanzi/Testoni/Santoni as our daily beaters, our less fiscally endowed members have found much peace wearing mid-tier brands. Try reading the thread by Odoreater, and good luck shopping!

 

[tattersall]

After cleaning out my closet, I now own only one pair of black lace-ups: Vass captoes on the u-last...

 

[zjpj83]

 

[HappymaN]

Originally Posted by diorshoe

i like posting a picture of some of my black shoes when someone brings up the topic of black shoes.

you dont have to spend upwards of 500 dollars to find a nice pair of black shoes.
i know your question is of practicality so answering with LOBB or Lattanzi is senseless imo.
i say go to nordstrom rack or saks outlet rack nearby your area, you can get santoni classics and ferragamos for around 150.

you can also get AEs of course for around that much or less.
if you can spend more around 300 you can go to francos . com and look at some of the borgioli and gravati options.

What kind of shoe is that 3rd from the right?