First dress shoe - skip black forburgundy?

[Liquidus]

I ordered my first real suit recently (BB 38R navy solid Fitzgerald) and want to get my first real pair of dress shoes. The main purpose for these shoes will be business industry interviews but I would also like to use them for dressy occasions. I was originally going to get with the AE PA but I couldn't get a size that fit. So now I am branching out a bit and looking at the Alden straight tip balmoral in burgundy. Alden Straight Tip Balmoral From what I've read, burgundy goes well with navy and looks better with black, but is it an acceptable color for interview? Any other alternative suggestions would be appreciated, but I would like to stay under $400. Thanks for the help.

 

[ManofKent]

Black would be the truly safe choice for interviews but I very much doubt any interviewer would mind Burgundy.

As to other brands within your budget, I can only think of UK brands which might not suit if you're not reasonably familiar with what sizes you need in different lasts.

 

[tshaw]

From what I've read, burgundy goes well with navy and looks better with black, but is it an acceptable color for interview? Any other alternative suggestions would be appreciated, but I would like to stay under $400. Thanks for the help.[/quote]

Congrats on your first suit - may it help bring you good fortune.

Black is definitely the way to go for interviews and those more 'formal' occasions. There are plenty of articles around that will help prove this. I have one pair of black shoes that I wear only for occasions like yours and also wear them with tuxedoes.

You can pick up some good buys at Allen Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, etc. without it costing a small fortune. Once you get where you would like to be, then you can buy the burgundy, but you've got to have your foot in the door first.

Tom

 

[glowell222]

That is an excellent choice for a first dress shoe, and black is the best bet. Don't forget a shoe horn and shoe trees and get a second pair as soon as you can so you can rotate.

 

[uzairh]

Originally Posted by Liquidus

From what I've read, burgundy goes well with navy and looks better with black, but is it an acceptable color for interview? Any other alternative suggestions would be appreciated, but I would like to stay under $400. Thanks for the help.

I don't think wearing burgundy shoes with a black suit looks good.
I recommend getting black as your first pair; you can always get burgundy later.

 

[JKB]

Originally Posted by uzairh

I don't think wearing burgundy shoes with a black suit looks good.
I recommend getting black as your first pair; you can always get burgundy later.

+1

You will rarely go wrong with black for a dress shoe. Maybe not the most adventurous, but rarely if ever will it be wrong.

 

[JayJay]

Burgundy is a fine choice, but if I had only one pair of dress shoes, then I'd get black first.

 

[mimile]

Originally Posted by JKB

+1

You will rarely go wrong with black for a dress shoe. Maybe not the most adventurous, but rarely if ever will it be wrong.

+2

 

[Twotone]

My personal choice would be burgundy or ox blood. The average person in the business world does not have much fashion sense and does not spend any time on styleforum or other sites. To their limited style sense, any dress shoe other than black with a blue or gray suit would be off putting. So, I'll second other posters' recommendations -- get black shoes for the interviews. After you get the job, then let your style show.

Twotone

 

[lasbar]

Go for black and you've more pairs ,go for oxblood , burgundy and even more unusual colours...

 

[Doc4]

Black first. It's safer for interviews, and if you are going to only have one pair of shoes, you want it to be a pair you can wear to a funeral without looking out of place.

 

[BBSLM]

Would black wintips (Aldens for example, but not longwings) be an appropriate interview shoe, generally speaking? I want my black dress shoes to be as versatile as possible, so something like wingtip that could be worn with something like dark jeans as well as a suit would be preferable.

 

[TexasLidig8r]

Originally Posted by BBSLM

Would black wintips (Aldens for example, but not longwings) be an appropriate interview shoe, generally speaking? I want my black dress shoes to be as versatile as possible, so something like wingtip that could be worn with something like dark jeans as well as a suit would be preferable.

Words of advice.. or my 1 1/2 cents worth.

Get two different types of shoes... one for work, one for "going out." If you wear them to work practically every day.. then wear them out at night.. they are going to get "long in the tooth" very quickly and will certainly not look appropriate for business wear.

Look at captoes for business wear.

For the more "casual wear," go with something else.

In any event, remember to keep them clean and polished. A person (interviewer) looking at your shoes may look at them, not for the color or type necessarily, but to see if you keep them in good order... (the thinking is.. if he pays attention to his shoes, he is more likely to pay attention to other details as well).

 

[hendrix]

Get some cheaper black shoes. Johnston and murphy. If you're only gonna be wearing them to interview, $100-$150 shoes will be fine.

http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/produc...=643&pid=66837
http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/produc...8301&VID=38229

Either of those will do, and then you can spend you money on some shoes you really want, i.e. the Aldens. With the burgundy, you don't have to stick to the cap toe, since you'll have a formal black pair. You could get a toe medallion, or a half-brogue, or a nice monk etc. Basically getting a cheaper black shoe allows you more flexibility on what style burgundy you go for.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by BBSLM

Would black wintips (Aldens for example, but not longwings) be an appropriate interview shoe, generally speaking? I want my black dress shoes to be as versatile as possible, so something like wingtip that could be worn with something like dark jeans as well as a suit would be preferable.
Sure.