Black shoes for a baby lawyer

[CrAz3D]

I have some florsheims that fit well, but are of lower quality, as evidenced by the cracking heel and rubber sole.

I like the look of AE Strands, and read that they wear well, but that's a bit pricey seeming. (at the moment). I suppose I might pull the trigger if the consensus is that they are worth it.

This last pair of florsheims were $125 or so and lasted 4 years.
$200 or so seems reasonable to me.

Input?

 

[msulinski]

I have some florsheims that fit well, but are of lower quality, as evidenced by the cracking heel and rubber sole.
I like the look of AE Strands, and read that they wear well, but that's a bit pricey seeming. (at the moment). I suppose I might pull the trigger if the consensus is that they are worth it.
This last pair of florsheims were $125 or so and lasted 4 years.
$200 or so seems reasonable to me.
Input?

What's a baby lawyer?

AE is generally considered to be the cheapest brand of well-made shoe you can get. You can certainly spend more and get "better" shoes, but they probably won't last longer (unless you are talking about shell Cordovan). So from that perspective, I think they are a good buy.

At $200 (unless it is AE on sale), it is unlikely you will find a Goodyear-welted shoe made with full-grain leather.

I believe the AE Strands in walnut and AE Park Avenues in black will be on sale in the low $200 range during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (starts July 20 I think).

 

[CrAz3D]

Baby... Same as wet behind the ears, Green, etc. I hear that out here anyway.

And I'll check come July 20. Thoughts on Strands bring black? Why'd you suggest the two different models. I'm supposing just suggesting another model? Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks.

 

[martinottawa]

Toddler lawyer here.

$200 for the Allen Edmonds is well worth it considering the difference in quality between them and the Florsheims. They'll easily last 10 years if you take care of them, and will look better the whole time. Bear in mind also that Strands normally go for more than that (they're listed on teh website for $335), so 200 is a good deal. Once you are a toddler lawyer like me, you could get yourself a pair of English shoes (Church's, C&Js, Cheaney, etc), and if you make partner you could pick up some Edward Greens / Alfred Sargents / etc.

As for styles, if it's your first pair of pricey shoes as a baby lawyer, I'd say the simpler the better. Simple-looking shoes (e.g. the AE Park Avenues or Kenilworths) make you look more serious, and are a bit more versatile. The Strands might be a bit on the flashy side - But of course that all depends on the vibe in your office.

 

[martinottawa]

Another thing worth mentioning - there seem to be a lot of nice used shoes on sale for good prices in the buying/selling section on Styleforum, as well as on places like eBay. Good place to look if you're grappling with student debt and want to punch above your weight in the shoe department.

 

[GBR]

Please explain what a "Baby Lawyer" is. Such incongruous words do not bode well for an aspiring litigant,

 

[plei89]

PM me... I may have some brand new Allen Edmonds in your budget

 

[CrAz3D]

Toddler lawyer here.

$200 for the Allen Edmonds is well worth it considering the difference in quality between them and the Florsheims. They'll easily last 10 years if you take care of them, and will look better the whole time. Bear in mind also that Strands normally go for more than that (they're listed on teh website for $335), so 200 is a good deal. Once you are a toddler lawyer like me, you could get yourself a pair of English shoes (Church's, C&Js, Cheaney, etc), and if you make partner you could pick up some Edward Greens / Alfred Sargents / etc.

As for styles, if it's your first pair of pricey shoes as a baby lawyer, I'd say the simpler the better. Simple-looking shoes (e.g. the AE Park Avenues or Kenilworths) make you look more serious, and are a bit more versatile. The Strands might be a bit on the flashy side - But of course that all depends on the vibe in your office.

Another thing worth mentioning - there seem to be a lot of nice used shoes on sale for good prices in the buying/selling section on Styleforum, as well as on places like eBay. Good place to look if you're grappling with student debt and want to punch above your weight in the shoe department.

I agree that simple is safe. That said, I think that so long as the shoes are "appropriate" (basically not sneakers), I'm fine. For example, where I am, cowboy boots aren't unusual with suits (I'll wear my boots w/khakis). Same goes for where I grew up. As for being too dressed for the office, I've found that even a three piece is okay, so long as I'm not also wearing a crazy tie and shirt (e.g., dark suit w/pinstripes + sold shirt and solid/simple tie). My main boss-man wears nice shoes (varying from cap toes to dual toned wing tips), whatever slacks, a shirt, and a tie (+ old-man cardigan during the 1 month of cold we get in West Texas), but never a jacket. He'll rock a nice pink shirt w/french cuffs + paisley tie...but never a jacket. *shrug*. Anyway, I don't plan to be there long. It's a county office doing misc stuff, and I want to move soon to (1) DA/Public Defender for a few years for trial experience or (2) medium sized firm for estate planning experience (I'm currently working on masters in personal financial planning, then maybe take CFP exam).

Please explain what a "Baby Lawyer" is. Such incongruous words do not bode well for an aspiring litigant,

The culture out here is odd. *shrug*.

PM me... I may have some brand new Allen Edmonds in your budget

Will do. Thanks.

 

[paulbnyc]



Please explain what a "Baby Lawyer" is. Such incongruous words do not bode well for an aspiring litigant,

What an insufferable asshole you are.

 

[Ace_Face]

Pubescent lawyer here. Heres what you do. Call the Allen Edmonds shoe bank in Port Washington, WI. Give them you size and your email address. They will send you a list of discontinued models and factory seconds in your size. You should be able to find something simple in your size in that price range. Thats how I ended up with 8 pairs of AE.

 

[CrAz3D]

What an insufferable asshole you are.

haha.
/not to mention that litigator is a more appropriate word, plus the fact that litigation as my career was an assumption.

Pubescent lawyer here. Heres what you do. Call the Allen Edmonds shoe bank in Port Washington, WI. Give them you size and your email address. They will send you a list of discontinued models and factory seconds in your size. You should be able to find something simple in your size in that price range. Thats how I ended up with 8 pairs of AE.

That's fairly awesome. Thanks for the tip! Also, 8 pairs? Whoa. I dont know that I have 8 pairs of anything.

(I also enjoy this aging lawyer gag)

 

[dukecunningham]

Dude, find an Off Saks 5th of a Nordstroms Rack and look for some To Boot NY's. I've found several pairs for less that $200. Retail is $350 or so. Love them!

 

[Shikar]



Dude, find an Off Saks 5th of a Nordstroms Rack and look for some To Boot NY's.  I've found several pairs for less that $200.  Retail is $350 or so.  Love them!

Ignore this post above, but do call the shoe bank and get their seconds list and shop away!

Regards.

 

[CrAz3D]

I pretty much have to ignore any suggestion of trying to find a sale at a store. We have a couple of high-end, local mens stores, and then Dillards...that's it. I'd have to travel to Dallas to find a Nordstroms (I'm guessing, as I've never spent much time in Dallas).

I might venture to those two shops, though, and see if they have thoughts/suggestions, as well.

 

[Petepan]

Order a pair from Meermin. Or Herring Shoes. Trace your foot, make the proper measurements, PDF the document, and email to them to get a proper fit.

And yes, in my short time on SF, GBR has identified himself as an insufferable asshole. I guess some people are just born naturals.