couple questions

[kmwrestle]

I just picked this tie up today.. cost me 24.99, and sadly the most ive ever paid for a tie(typically i just buy from marshalls/tj max with lots of ck and the like brands. what do you guys think, is it a good deal? Im still kinda new to the forums, and trying to work on my image quite a bit.

im also looking to buy a nice pair of dress shoes. Right now my shoes consist of a pair of sketchers and a pair of hush puppies(both blacklaceups) and a pair of sneakers. My job requires me to wear a tie and shoes everyday so i need something that will be comfortable to be in for 12hr+ days. I wear a size 13 and will probably need a 3e. Id really love a pair of AE Park aves(give an idea of what I like for as far styles), but i dont think im ready to spend 300+ on a pair of shoes yet, I dont think ive every paid more than 50 for a pair of shoes. Id like to keep to something in the 150ish range if possible. I want something that will last, be stylish, and be comfortable.

Also on my agenda is a suit. Unfortuneatly for me im a really big guy(54 pants but a 62 suit jacket wont even fit me, and i cant even find 64s) so finding suits is like near impossible, and I have a feeling my only option is MTM as ive never found one that has fit. As it is i have to get mtm shirts(experiencing with jantzen now) as anythign OTR would have to be 2.5 sizes too big in the neck to fit me correctly, making them look very awkward. I live in central massachusetts, so anywhere in New england is fair game, NYC for the right price. Where can i get a good quality MTM first suit for a reasonable price. Im only 23 so unfortuneatly i dont have 3000 for a suit.

 

[DocHolliday]

It's a nice tie, and a very good price for the brand. If you like it, that's all that matters. And there's certainly nothing wrong with buying your ties at Marshalls/TJ Maxx. They sometimes get in very nice ones. I picked up a great Brooks Brothers tie at Marshalls not long ago.

As for shoes, what about trying eBay for some AEs? You can often find them there for $150 or less. I picked up a pair of new AE bluchers not long ago for about $57. That's an unusually good price, but shows that there are deals to be had. Your dollar will go much, much farther with AEs than if you buy a $70-$100 pair at retail.

Congratulations on your decision to improve your appearance. It will pay dividends in the long run.

 

[EL72]

Great tie! And great price too. I have one almost identical by Zegna too in a silk/cotton blend and wore it this week with a brown sportcoat, light blue shirt, charcoal flannel pants and brown loafers.

For shoes, I second Doc's rec of looking for AE online/eBay for ~$100.

 

[j]

For suits, Mr. Ned and others in NYC do MTM for under $1000, IIRC. Here is a thread to start with:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...hlight=ned+mtm

 

[DocHolliday]

Oh yeah, EL's post reminds me: You also might try Sierra Trading Post for AEs... You can often find a code here for an additional 20 percent off STP's already decent prices. I don't know how often they get in your size, but you might end up with a good deal.

 

[kmwrestle]

Just ordered a pair of the Hillcrest oxfords in a light red brown from STP. With the 20%off and the 20.00 google checkout it came to liek 145 shipped which is not bad at all.

Cant wait for them to arrive =]

 

[grimslade]

Good call. I think you'll be quite pleased.

 

[kmwrestle]

What color pants/shirts would you reccomend me pairing these with?

 

[mensimageconsultant]

You decided against red-brown? Either way, nice-looking shoes. They should go with almost anything, including charcoal grey, medium gray, navy, and any shade of brown. Not black

 

[kmwrestle]

Ordered a pair of Park Aves in black today too.....im hoping to be able to pick up a pair of dark brown byron cheap once they go on clearance which should be a good start to my shoe wardrobe. I will continue to wear my hush puppies as my everyday shoe until ive accumulated enough for a good rotation. Also with winter I will probably be wearing winter boots a little bit more often as well.