Do you spend more on brown shoes than black ones?

[kolecho]

I understand from reading posts here that leather quality and antiquing are more telling on brown shoes than black shoes.  Is that correct?

If that is the case, should one pay more for higher quality brown shoes than black shoes, given that funds are finite?

 

[A Harris]

Yes, though the elegance of the last is the most important factor in the attractiveness of a shoe, and elegant lasts are rare among less expensive brands...

 

[marc37]

l spend more money on brown shoes because quality brown shoes have more character than black.

 

[johnnynorman3]

Not sure what A. Harris means by "elegant last." If he means pleasing to the eye, I think there are a lot of elegant (though not "super elegant&quot lasts out there in the $300 range -- meaning that you could get such a shoe for $150 and under. The Polo Brawley captoe -- which I currently have on my feet -- is one example of a fairly elegant looking shoe. It isn't a Lattanzi, or a Vass U-last (WHY OH WHY DID I TRY THAT THING ON..), but it's very nice looking. If he means that the last is better constructed to the foot -- i.e. better fitting and more comfortable -- then he is right.

But in terms of brown color, my experience is right in line with that of the others -- you get bigger attractiveness gains with better brown leather. In other words, the difference in attractiveness of the leather between my black Brawley and my black Edward Greens is may 30%. But the difference in attractiveness between the brown Brawleys (which I do not have) and a brown Edward Green is at least 100%. But, again, these numbers take only into account superficial appearance, not the feel of the leather on your foot or anything.