Lower to Mid Level Shoe Advice

[Jimifacs]

I am looking for advice on a black lace-up type shoe in the 175-225 dollar range. I am beginning to interview for employment as I will soon be graduating from college. I inherited 1 navy and 1 gray 2 button, flat front, Hickey Freeman suits. Luckily the giver is a very similar size to me so I was able to get an appropriate fit with minimal alteration. However, I now need a shoe that is appropriate to go with them. I like the moc-toe type of shoe but am open to any suggestion. For a little more background, I am approximately 6'3", 205 lbs and wear a size 14 shoe. The size definitely makes it difficult for me to find bargains. In addition, I need 1 pair quickly to buy me time to search for higher end bargains down the road. I appreciate everyone's help!

 

[nmprisons]

no moc toe, get a cap toe or plain toe instead for your first dress shoe.

i would call the allen edmonds shoe bank and see wha tthey have in your size.

if you go brown, check these out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-ALLEN-EDMOND...QQcmdZViewItem

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Get a pair of AE Park Avenues on sale. I think they go for about 200-250 on sale. It's a basic suit shoe that you can wear indefinitely.

I'd obviously recommend an Alden but they aren't easy to find at that price range in that size.

 

[FreedBird]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Get a pair of AE Park Avenues on sale. I think they go for about 200-250 on sale. It's a basic suit shoe that you can wear indefinitely.

I'd obviously recommend an Alden but they aren't easy to find at that price range in that size.

The Park Avenue is a great choice, but also look at the Soho from AE. It is very similar, but with a more elongated toe box and a cap that goes back slightly more the the PA.

 

[Jimifacs]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I definitely liked the Soho but Bennies right up the street had the Park Avenue on sale for $250.00. It is definitely a great looking shoe.

 

[bigbris1]

Here you go for starters. This could be a nice second pair with a coupon code.

 

[versusqc]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Here you go for starters.

\t\t Johnston & Murphy Melton Cap-Toe Black 14 M NEW !! Reg $225 Retail

Regular retail is $175.00

I wounder what the real retail price is

I would def. go with the Park Avenue, or mostly any AE, seriously the best shoes you can find at this price.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Here you go for starters.

corrected grain. the bad kind. yes, it's cheap. and yes, i think it's welted. but that corrected grain will develop really ugly creases rather quickly, unless your foot fits it perfectly (unlikely). You're better off with AE's from ebay.

This could be a nice second pair with a coupon code.

Looks nice, and its a better buy than the J&M above, I think.

Originally Posted by versusqc

I wounder what the real retail price is

For the J&M - their site says $165.

 

[bigbris1]

We all know that this man will have to actually visit a store that carries AE & try on several pairs, espacially with the PA to get the size right.

He didn't say what his width was but I'm pretty sure the vast majority of us has had/have sizing issues with the #5 last.

So J&M is the best choice (for what's available online right now) in a pinch for ~$100, he'll get his money's worth. Give him the whole story, yall.

 

[bigbris1]

Originally Posted by Jimifacs

I need 1 pair quickly to buy me time to search for higher end bargains down the road.

See my suggestion. Also, what width is your foot? I'm guessing B or C?

 

[antirabbit]

Search e-bay, post what you find on here.

 

[Tarmac]

get one of the clearance shoes on Brooks Brothers. I think they have a plain brown Sargent-made captoe for $199

 

[JLibourel]

The OP could also contact the Allen-Edmonds outlets about the Niles, quite similar to the Park Avenue. It is on closeout and so should be well within his budget.

 

[JimInSoCalif]

If the sizing varies as much according to the last with A-E as it does with Alden I don't see how anyone could expect a good fit without first trying on the particular last.

Btw, I have some J&M shoes from 10-15 years ago that I am still happy with but I think at least their Aristocrat line was still made in the U.S. back then.

Cheers, Jim.

 

[Jimifacs]

Originally Posted by Jimifacs

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I definitely liked the Soho but Bennies right up the street had the Park Avenue on sale for $250.00. It is definitely a great looking shoe.

Again, thank you to everyone for the advice. I definitely was not clear with my post above. I bit the bullet and went ahead bought the Park Avenue for $250.00 at Bennie's Shoes. Suprisingly enough the regular old 14D fit perfectly. I decided it was worth spending the little extra now in lieu of throwing $100.00 less at a shoe that I did not like as much just to turn around and buy the Park Avenue a couple of months down the road.

You all might enjoy this little tidbit. I went to a Nordstrom closer to my house to try on the PA and the salesman told me that it had been discontinued. I politely disagreed and he essentially insinusated that I am a moron. However, I highly doubt that AE would discontinue what seems to me to be/have been their most popular model.