Formal Footwear - Which do you like better?

[musicguy]

They're about the same price point at around 350. Willing to go up to around 500 dollars though, if someone can recommend something better. Goodyear welt is a must since I will wear these often and want to be able to resole them. AE looks really blobby, right? AE Kendall

or BB Black Patent Lace-Up

 

[Imhoff]

Well between the two, would favor the BB. Just curious, what is the occasion for the shoe?

 

[MyOtherLife]

Of these two models, the Brooks Brothers wins because it is a balmoral.
I don't understand why Allen Edmonds would promote a blucher as a formal shoe.
The only possible reason for this that I can think of, would be to accomodate a higher instep.

 

[pvrhye]

Originally Posted by Imhoff

Well between the two, would favor the BB. Just curious, what is the occasion for the shoe?

For some reason, 2 eye derbies feel as formal to me as balmorals. I lean toward the AE.

 

[blahman]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

For some reason, 2 eye derbies feel as formal to me as balmorals. I lean toward the AE.

I think it may be the lack of details.

 

[bigbjorn]

I wouldn't wear a derby/blucher with a dinner suit. So the BB it is.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

A bowed pump, I prefer.

 

[radicaldog]

A 360 welted blucher for evening wear? Seriously now. Mind you, Americans wear dinner suits for daytime weddings all the time, but still.

 

[entrero]

Whoever agreed on shiny plastic as formal wear, should be shot.

 

[pgd3]

Originally Posted by entrero

Whoever agreed on shiny plastic as formal wear, should be shot.

Agreed.

I can think of maybe one occasion every 3 years that would include either shoe, it would involve a tuxedo.

Unless perhaps one's work regularly has patent leather shoe dress code.

 

[Manton]

The BB is only the classic formal shoe that is readily available today. EG makes a nice one but it costs 3x as much and is hard to find. Mine are Church, quite OK for what they are, but Church apparently stopped making that model a long time ago.

 

[Master Squirrel]

I like the AE. But would wear either, and by formal you mean black tie?

 

[Icehawk]

Originally Posted by Manton

The BB is only the classic formal shoe that is readily available today. EG makes a nice one but it costs 3x as much and is hard to find. Mine are Church, quite OK for what they are, but Church apparently stopped making that model a long time ago.

Are we talking GY welt only? I saw a pair of patent Ferragamo's last weekend at NMLC, did not look closely to see construction method. I know a few of the Italian fashion designers (Prada, for example) also offer classic style patent shoes but those would be Blake or Blake/Rapid I'd assume.

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by Imhoff

Well between the two, would favor the BB. Just curious, what is the occasion for the shoe?

Classical orchestral musician. I'll wear them very frequently. Our dress code states patent leather shoes. I wouldn't be averse to getting opera pumps, but I would look out of place wearing them in orchestra.

Originally Posted by Manton

The BB is only the classic formal shoe that is readily available today. EG makes a nice one but it costs 3x as much and is hard to find. Mine are Church, quite OK for what they are, but Church apparently stopped making that model a long time ago.

Thank you. Looks like I'll be getting BB!

 

[rathebaindc]

FYI- I got 2nds of the Kendall from the AE outlet for $99 on sale a couple weeks ago. I could not find a flaw. Don't know if that will change your mind, but I figure it's worth saying.