Inexpensive sturdy classic dress shoe - ideas?

[mensimageconsultant]

Hi,

This sounds like a stretch, but would you be able to recommend a shoe that meets the following criteria? (In turn the recommendation could be given to various clients.)
Under $200 US new (and preferably in American sizes)
Black, classic (like a cap-toe, no broguing, no wingtips)
Available in a wide range of sizes and widths
Leather-soled, either double-soled or something else with extra support, not glued

 

[grimslade]

I don't see how you're going to get under $200 at retail. Maybe Florsheims? But for $100 more, you'd be in pretty good shape with Allen-Edmonds Park Avenues.

 

[JBZ]

I'd have a hard time recommending anything from a construction standpoint at under $200 full price retail.

For a limited time, the below captoe blucher is available from Brooks Bros for $283 (made in the US, so presumably by Alden). Obviously, this isn't a long term solution.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...&Parent_Id=522

 

[c55]

Loake 200B on sale right now: http://www.pediwear.co.uk/larger_image.php?stock_ID=9 The Classic Oxford style shoe in Polished Black Leather Goodyear Welted Leather Soles Special Offer! Was £ 70.95 Now £ 61.99 (Excl VAT: £52.76) edit: No US sizes.

 

[NoVaguy]

If going the pediwear route, I would pay the extra 24 GBP's (about an extra $47) for the Loake Wells. It's from the 1880 line.

There's always evilbay. there are always a ton of AE's and there seem to be slightly more Brooks Brothers shoes at the moment.

 

[grimslade]

This is all true, but it doesn't really address MIC's original question. I assume he is not going to tell clients paying him (hopefully) top-dollar to go digging on ebay or waiting for pediwear sales. If those clients are going to buy shoes, it's going to be in a store where they can try them on, etc. That's where I return to my original point: AEs are on the "knee of the curve." The knee no longer lies at $200, however, I'm afraid.

 

[JLibourel]

Given how often the Allen-Edmonds Park Avenue can be found for $200 or less--I got my black PAs as seconds on special for $159 two years ago--it would seem like the logical choice although it is not a double-sole design.

In general, double soles are more at home on "gunboats" and brougues, not on a sleek business captoe.

 

[NoVaguy]

I mean, if it has to be retail, and under $200, to be suggested to members of the public, then I guess my suggestions would be the J&M optima line or the Dexter 1957 line. I wore Dexter's welted shoes for quite some time during my college days and my first couple years working. But this was back when they were made in the USA, although corrected grain.

 

[c55]

Was 70.95 GBP 70.95 United Kingdom Pounds\t=\t138.783 United States Dollars I believe that is the Full retail on the Loake. Edit 78.00 GBP here: http://www.shoesdirect.co.uk/acatalo...e_200_519.html

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by grimslade

This is all true, but it doesn't really address MIC's original question. I assume he is not going to tell clients paying him (hopefully) top-dollar to go digging on ebay or waiting for pediwear sales. If those clients are going to buy shoes, it's going to be in a store where they can try them on, etc. That's where I return to my original point: AEs are on the "knee of the curve." The knee no longer lies at $200, however, I'm afraid.

If his clients can afford to pay him top dollar for advice, they should be able to pay more than $200 for a staple pair of shoes.

If not, personally, I'd cut out the image consultant and use the savings for a better pair of shoes, but that's just me.

 

[graphix]

i picked up AE seconds for $195 at the outlet store in my town. the sale is still going here.

peace,
B

 

[gj555]

The Florsheim Imperial - Canfield (a goodyear welt cap-toe blucher) retails on the Florsheim Website for $140. Probably not great, but it meets your criteria.

 

[Dmax]

Originally Posted by c55

Was 70.95 GBP

70.95 United Kingdom Pounds\t=\t138.783 United States Dollars

I believe that is the Full retail on the Loake.

Edit 78.00 GBP here: http://www.shoesdirect.co.uk/acatalo...e_200_519.html


These are made from corrected grain plastic-coated leather.


There is no shoe that has a retail price under $200 and satisfies OP's criteria (I believe Mensiumageconsulant/Gentelman's Best Friend Image Consulting Services is a She).

The best match is Allen Edmonds Park Avenue at discounters, ebay or AE outlet.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

! There are no female employees.

As for the shoes, thanks, but indeed nothing so far meets the criteria. It should have been said that bluchers and corrected grain (or most types of corrected grain) don't count as classic dress shoes. Would slightly raising the price make a difference? The Brooks Brothers shoes seem nice, although their regular price is even higher and BB has a fixation on size D.

 

[Joel_Cairo]

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant

! There are no female employees.

As for the shoes, thanks, but indeed nothing so far meets the criteria. It should have been said that bluchers and corrected grain (or most types of corrected grain) don't count as classic dress shoes. Would slightly raising the price make a difference? The Brooks Brothers shoes seem nice, although their regular price is even higher and BB has a fixation on size D.

wait, you want a balmoral w/o corrected grain for under $200??