First pair of brown shoes - yay or nay?

[ben_c]

Hi all, Been lurking about the forum for a while. I am, as they say, a newbie, so I'd love some advice from the educated masses. I want to buy a pair of brown shoes to go with some basic suits (solid navy, grey, brown), but a lot of the nicer looking pairs are awfully uncomfortable. Ecco recently came out with a 'nicer' looking pair that feels pretty good on the feet. Are these shoes appropriate and/or acceptable for suits? Fuzzy pictures from a cameraphone (apologies):

[edit: I should add that I have ordered the slip-on version (non laceup) of this shoe]

 

[AlanC]

Oh my.

 

[Joel_Cairo]

not a fan of the shape, bicycle stitch detail or glossy diarrhea color, but if it floats your boat, rock on.

 

[Jared]

Welcome to the forum!

Originally Posted by ben_c

I want to buy a pair of brown shoes to go with some basic suits (solid navy, grey, brown), but a lot of the nicer looking pairs are awfully uncomfortable. Ecco recently came out with a 'nicer' looking pair that feels pretty good on the feet. Are these shoes appropriate and/or acceptable for suits?
The Rules say that bluchers are not acceptable with suits. The Rules also say that all shoes should have leather soles. Bicycle toes are controversial. Could you list some of the "nicer looking" brands you've tried? Were they also nicely made? An insole might help with some of your comfort issues.

 

[Soph]

no

 

[ben_c]

Originally Posted by Jared

The Rules say that bluchers are not acceptable with suits. The Rules also say that all shoes should have leather soles. Bicycle toes are controversial. Could you list some of the "nicer looking" brands you've tried? Were they also nicely made? An insole might help with some of your comfort issues.
Excellent. This is the type of advice I was hoping for -- thanks. Living in Toronto, I passed through Harry Rosen, Davids and Cole-Hahn. I can't remember too specifically...I remember Boss, Allen Edmonds (a little dated for me, at least the styles that were available), it's a bit of a blur, but all I remember is feeling uncomfortable with a lot of the brands. I should add that my foot is a little wider, so some of the slimmer models do not fit well.

 

[ben_c]

LOL. Maybe for those that unabashedly hate this shoe, perhaps a suggestion on a reasonably priced pair that usually fits comfortably?

 

[DocHolliday]

What size are you, and what's your price range?

 

[fatherseanfan]

The first bit of advice you need: never buy shoes in any of those stores, or in Canada at all for that matter. Horrible selection of brands and of those, double the price what you'd pay in the US. (Search the archives for more on this).

Look for a nice pair of AE's on eBay or from someone here.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by fatherseanfan

Look for a nice pair of AE's on eBay or from someone here.

Yeah, AEs are the standard "affordable good shoe" around here. You can often find them for less than $150. Some of the styles are a bit old man, but some are more modern. Just have to sift through.

 

[kirbya]

Yeah, I guess for a first brown shoe, I would go with something a little more classic. Everything about this shoe is far from classic. You should consider a nice brown Oxford. Check out Francos.com. They have a great shoe collection.

 

[ben_c]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

What size are you, and what's your price range?

I'm a 9. Price-wise, those Ecco's I believe were CDN$350, so I would rather stay at or under that price point.

fatherseanfan, I know that there is much more selection in the US, but it just isn't practical to travel just to shoe shop. Perhaps Buffalo isn't out of the question. There just HAS to be a few quality stores in Toronto.

 

[jett]

I recently got a pair of AE Sanfords via ebay, used they were about $40 with shipping. From what I have seen prices on used AE shoes tend to go from $10 to $80. If you don't want used there are a good number of new ones on there regularly at much below what you would pay in a store.

 

[TheHoff]

Originally Posted by ben_c

I'm a 9. Price-wise, those Ecco's I believe were CDN$350, so I would rather stay at or under that price point. fatherseanfan, I know that there is much more selection in the US, but it just isn't practical to travel just to shoe shop. Perhaps Buffalo isn't out of the question. There just HAS to be a few quality stores in Toronto.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...p-For-Men.html AE Monks for $189 Or some nice Testonis for $350... too old man?

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...s-For-Men.html

 

[EL72]

I am in Toronto and can assure you that it's probably the worst city in the world for quality mens' shoes (and probably menswear for that matter) relative to its size. A veritable wasteland of rubber soled, pointy-toed, corrected-grain, loafers and assorted mall-type crap. Aside from casual shoes, I don't think I've bought a pair here in years. Finding a quality pair of classic brown shoes on Bloor Street, arguably Canada's Fifth Ave./Rodeo Dr...., is virtually impossible. Believe me, I've tried.

Harry Rosen carries AE (you can get them for ~$300 when they go on sale maybe twice a year), a few Tramezza models (highway robbery at $850+), some Zegna, Canali and Testoni as well as the usual Prada, Gucci and Boss crap but all those are usually > $350.

David's house brand shoes are made by Magnanni and tend to be very comfortable, if not the best quality. You'll find some models more to your liking if you don't like AE styling and they are much better shoes than Ecco imo and ~$300. For a first pair to wear with suits, you should probably get stitched or punched cap bals like these (again, remarkably hard to find):