Can't decide on two new dress shoes for my specific business casual environment

[TheGreatUnwashe]

Greetings. After wearing banana republic shoes in almost exclusively black for the past few years I've discovered allen Edmonds sexiness.

Without doing any research I got the Mohave tan or medium brown suede chukkas and the dalton boots in walnut. I was looking for something casual to wear with jeans or chinos and walked out of the store with these.

Now I'm looking to replace my work shoes with new staples. I am surprised to see that black is sparingly used in all but the more formal environments. I work in the IT department of a fairly liberal corporate culture. We're required to wears slacks or chinos and a button down shirt with no tie. I typically wear wool or cotton dress pants with a decent button down. I try to dress on the nicer side of this spectrum as I'm baby faced and don't want to look like a hobo.

From reading other threads I think I want one brown shoe and one burgundy shoe. I can't decide if I want derbys or oxfords or perhaps one of each. Here are what I am considering to go with my khaki, stone, various shades of grey, and navy pants:

Strands
McNeil
Mcallister
A double monk strap.
Possibly a wing tip in suede?

Maybe a formal shoe like the strand would pair nicely with a suede wing tipped blucher of some sort?

So my question is, what two colors and models would you go with knowing I have the walnut Dalton's and brown mojaves? I definitely don't like the del Rey type derbys as I find that kind of toe to be hideous. I prefer the look of cap toes and wing tips.


Also, from research it seems my Dalton's or mojaves can be worn Monday through Thursday with some of my business casual attire. Do you agree or are boots and chukkas both left best to jeans or chinos on Friday when I can wear more casual attire?

I'll just be getting two pairs of shoes for now, but plan to expand my collection next year.


Thanks!

 

[msulinski]

I would stick to derbies since you are business casual. The McNeil is a good choice. As for a wing tip in suede, the Players shoe is nice if you can find it via an AE outlet, as it is discontinued.

 

[TheGreatUnwashe]

Thanks. Have any feedback on the brown chukkas or walnut dalton boors and whether they can be worn with the Monday through Thursday business casual clothing?