how to tell if a shoe is expensive

[DavidinGray]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

Expensive?

Possibly. Worth the price? Impossible.

DIG

 

[SpooPoker]

For a really expensive look, try these. You can tell people they are bespoke.

 

[chrisb0109]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

For a really expensive look, try these. You can tell people they are bespoke.

And you can pair them with this guys jacket

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by spcl-k

isn't the squarer the toe, the more expensive it is?

+1.

 

[anon]

Originally Posted by oaw01

Sweet as hell. Where can I get a pair? It would look good with my 4 button Sean John suit.
And a full windsor knot on a 4.5" tie?

 

[razl]

Originally Posted by glenjay

Your question introduces somewhat of a fallacy, specifically "post hoc ergo propter hoc".

Powerful business people (and others that appreciate shoes), do not look at shoes to see if they are expensive, they look at them to see if they are shoes of good quality and well cared for.

So the question would be how do you tell a quality shoe from a cheap shoe.

1) Quality leather seems thicker and richer than cheap leather (and holds a better shine)
2) The waist of the shoe will typically be narrower on a higher quality shoe to fit the foot better.
3) The heel counter of the shoe will have more shape the fit the foot better.
4) Leather sole (typically thicker means better, but not always). English style is thicker soles, and Italian style is thinner soles, in general.
5) Leather stacked heel

Shoes should be polished and repaired as needed. The rubber insert on the heel cap should be replace before it becomes worn down to the leather. The term "well heeled" comes from the days when shoes were handed down from older to younger child until the shoes were worn out. If you could afford new shoes, or afford to resole and replace the heel cap of your old shoes, you were considered well heeled.

An excellent post. Thanks for sharing the insights.

 

[mr monty]

Originally Posted by hoodleehoo

They say powerful business people look at your shoes first. Since you can't see logos on dress shoes, what do they look for? To me, some of the expensive shoes look no different than cheap ones and some of the ones I thought looked expensive were rather cheap.

And they can see logos and brands on suits, dress shirts, ties, top coats, etc.?

"To me, some of the expensive shoes look no different than cheap ones and some of the ones I thought looked expensive were rather cheap"


To powerful business people, some of the good employees look no different than the bad employees and some of the ones they thought looked smart were rather dumb.

 

[I. Gentantithesis]

Must one deign to the middlebrow bourgeois depths of vulgar commerce?

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by I. Gentantithesis

Must one deign to the middlebrow bourgeois depths of vulgar commerce?

Aren't there other forums for that?

 

[epa]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Quality leather and finishing. When you see it, you know it.

I think that is true. Also, if you have some high quality shoes and have spent some time looking on shoes in high-end stores, you notice. Since I started buying better shoes, I notice that most of my colleagues are wearing cheap, bulky shoes with extremely poor looking leather. It often even looks "synthetic".

You also notice that some people do not polish their shoes very often.

 

[TonyThe Tailor]

Just as the US Supreme Court ruled: You know it when you see it.

First thing I look at is the condition: are they polished and well maintained?

 

[Don Carlos]

Generally speaking, it's much easier to spot a crappy shoe at first glance than a good shoe. A good shoe makes itself known through lack of crappiness more than anything else.

 

[Insight]

Originally Posted by I. Gentantithesis

Must one deign to the middlebrow bourgeois depths of vulgar commerce?

Excellent choice of name on the sock puppet, FNB.

 

[CunningSmeagol]

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

Generally speaking, it's much easier to spot a crappy shoe at first glance than a good shoe. A good shoe makes itself known through lack of crappiness more than anything else.

Yes. Plus the gemming factor.

Originally Posted by Insight

Excellent choice of name on the sock puppet, FNB.

No.

 

[Champagnelifestylenomoney]

The way shoes crease can be an indication.