Medium-timer needs to buy black oxford.

[southbound35]

My girlfriend's brother is getting married in May and I'd like to buy a pair of black dress oxfords to wear to the wedding.

The only oxford I currently own is an Alden 9015, which is a #8 cordovan perforated captoe.

These are not my shoes, but an image pulled from Google of a pair in similar condition to mine.

I'd like to have a "nice" pair of black oxfords for dressy occasions and figure now is as good a time as any to pick some up. Since my current job is business casual and my social calendar rarely requires me to wear a suit (occasional weddings, funerals, etc.), I can't justify spending $1,000 or more on a pair of Edward Green (or similarly priced) shoes that would be worn 2-3 times a year.

I think I'd be comfortable in the $400-600 range (maybe a bit more). I'd like something a bit more elegant than Alden or Allen Edmonds. I'm wondering if Crockett & Jones or Carmina might be good options and would be open to other suggestions. Based on pictures I've seen, I like the Audley and the Belgrave from C&J; I'm not as familiar with Carmina's offerings.

I prefer a hint of square over round. For intance, the Lonsdale is a bit too round for me. I like the Westbourne, but wonder if it might have too much brogueing for a shoe to be worn to a funeral.

Any other suggestions for a quality, elegant black oxford?

 

[Macallan]

C&J would be a good choice - you should also consider Cheaney (which depending on the range will the same price or cheaper then C&J) and Church's. You could also consider Alfred Sargent.

http://www.cheaney.co.uk/mens-shoes/10/imperial & http://www.cheaney.co.uk/mens-shoes/1/classic
http://www.church-footwear.com/en/UK/man/iconic

 

[TheFoo]

I dunno--I like your Aldens.

 

[meursault42]

Peal & Co?
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Peal-...?dwvar_065H_Color=BLCK&contentpos=9&cgid=0522

 

[Liquidus]



I think I'd be comfortable in the $400-600 range (maybe a bit more). I'd like something a bit more elegant than Alden or Allen Edmonds. I'm wondering if Crockett & Jones or Carmina might be good options and would be open to other suggestions. Based on pictures I've seen, I like the Audley and the Belgrave from C&J; I'm not as familiar with Carmina's offerings.

I prefer a hint of square over round. For intance, the Lonsdale is a bit too round for me. I like the Westbourne, but wonder if it might have too much brogueing for a shoe to be worn to a funeral.

Any other suggestions for a quality, elegant black oxford?

Based on this, I definitely recommend the Audley and Belgrave. About $580 plus shipping if you order from C&J UK direct. You can get free shipping from Robert Old but there may be delays.

 

[Toffee]

My girlfriend's brother is getting married in May and I'd like to buy a pair of black dress oxfords to wear to the wedding.

The only oxford I currently own is an Alden 9015, which is a #8 cordovan perforated captoe.

These are not my shoes, but an image pulled from Google of a pair in similar condition to mine.

I'd like to have a "nice" pair of black oxfords for dressy occasions and figure now is as good a time as any to pick some up. Since my current job is business casual and my social calendar rarely requires me to wear a suit (occasional weddings, funerals, etc.), I can't justify spending $1,000 or more on a pair of Edward Green (or similarly priced) shoes that would be worn 2-3 times a year.

I think I'd be comfortable in the $400-600 range (maybe a bit more). I'd like something a bit more elegant than Alden or Allen Edmonds. I'm wondering if Crockett & Jones or Carmina might be good options and would be open to other suggestions. Based on pictures I've seen, I like the Audley and the Belgrave from C&J; I'm not as familiar with Carmina's offerings.

I prefer a hint of square over round. For intance, the Lonsdale is a bit too round for me. I like the Westbourne, but wonder if it might have too much brogueing for a shoe to be worn to a funeral.

Any other suggestions for a quality, elegant black oxford?

Why not buy a G&G "Oxford" or the EG Claverton? There are sales on right now which could mean paying less than $700.00 for the best RTW quality available.

 

[southbound35]



C&J would be a good choice - you should also consider Cheaney (which depending on the range will the same price or cheaper then C&J) and Church's. You could also consider Alfred Sargent.

Thanks. Will definitely look into Cheaney, Church's, and Alfred Sargent

I dunno--I like your Aldens.

They've served me well for nearly two decades. Bought them sometime in the mid-90's.

Peal & Co?
 http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Peal-...?dwvar_065H_Color=BLCK&contentpos=9&cgid=0522

Thanks for the suggestion. Definitely prefer oxfords over bluchers, but I don't see a BB option that is an oxford with the toe shape I want (with the exception of the Edward Green model)

Based on this, I definitely recommend the Audley and Belgrave. About $580 plus shipping if you order from C&J UK direct. You can get free shipping from Robert Old but there may be delays.

Thank you.

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

+1 on the C&J Audley.

I have it, in black, and with 3+ years of regular all-weather wear in NYC (~once every week or two), they look great. The leather is very good, in that it seems to be very strong/hardwearing, yet looks great with only occasional polishes (just hit them with a horsehair brush a few times after each wear).

Leather is "german calf" according to the lady who sold them to me back when they were located above Turnbull & Asser in NYC. Soles have also held up very well, not anywhere near needing a resole.

Only downside is they are a bit stiff when you break them in, but I attribute that to robust materials (vs. G&G, EG, etc, which also wear well, but seem to use lighter and thinner leathers).

Another plus is that C&J stores are good about carrying lots of sizes and widths.

All in all a good value - quality of construction and detailing higher than Alden, but half the price of EG, G&G, etc, which have nicer detailing, but no real longevity upside.

 

[AlexE]



I prefer a hint of square over round. For intance, the Lonsdale is a bit too round for me. I like the Westbourne, but wonder if it might have too much brogueing for a shoe to be worn to a funeral.

Any other suggestions for a quality, elegant black oxford?

You should consider the C&J Hallam, if you like the overall shape of the Westbourne, but would like to have no brogueing. Both shoes are on the same last, but the Hallam is a straight cap toe oxford.

 

[msulinski]

Kent Wang has a plain-toe balmoral that might fit your needs for $350. I prefer this style over the cap-toe for social events, as it doesn't seem so business-y.
http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/benchgrade-plaintoe-balmoral.html

 

[chogall]

C&J Connaught.

 

[southbound35]



+1 on the C&J Audley.

If you have a pic of your three-year-old Audleys, I'd love to see it. If possible possibly are WAYWN-type pic. I'd like to get an idea how they look on. One of my concerns is the length of the cap.

You should consider the C&J Hallam, if you like the overall shape of the Westbourne, but would like to have no brogueing. Both shoes are on the same last, but the Hallam is a straight cap toe oxford.

I like the look of the Hallam and the Westbourne. I just wonder if they're a bit too elongated for me. I need to see if any local stores (Dallas) carry C&J. I haven't seen any shops, but I haven't been looking, either.

Kent Wang has a plain-toe balmoral that might fit your needs for $350. I prefer this style over the cap-toe for social events, as it doesn't seem so business-y.
http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/benchgrade-plaintoe-balmoral.html

Those are good-looking shoes, but I prefer a captoe.

C&J Connaught. 

Definitely an option. It appears to not be too elongated nor overly rounded.

 

[Pliny]

My girlfriend's brother is getting married in May and I'd like to buy a pair of black dress oxfords to wear to the wedding.

The only oxford I currently own is an Alden 9015, which is a #8 cordovan perforated captoe.

These are not my shoes, but an image pulled from Google of a pair in similar condition to mine.

I'd like to have a "nice" pair of black oxfords for dressy occasions and figure now is as good a time as any to pick some up. Since my current job is business casual and my social calendar rarely requires me to wear a suit (occasional weddings, funerals, etc.), I can't justify spending $1,000 or more on a pair of Edward Green (or similarly priced) shoes that would be worn 2-3 times a year.

I think I'd be comfortable in the $400-600 range (maybe a bit more). I'd like something a bit more elegant than Alden or Allen Edmonds. I'm wondering if Crockett & Jones or Carmina might be good options and would be open to other suggestions. Based on pictures I've seen, I like the Audley and the Belgrave from C&J; I'm not as familiar with Carmina's offerings.

I prefer a hint of square over round. For intance, the Lonsdale is a bit too round for me. I like the Westbourne, but wonder if it might have too much brogueing for a shoe to be worn to a funeral.

Any other suggestions for a quality, elegant black oxford?

search functions the way to go man

- been covered at least a billion times.


if ur willing to spend $600 just go straight to the top and get a pair of hand made - lasted, welted - Old Englishers from Vass.

There's simply none better- these are in U, F lasts respectively





if u don't want to wait for hand made, try Carmina RTW- , in the Simpson last

 

[msulinski]



search functions the way to go man - been covered at least a billion times. if ur willing to spend $600 just go straight to the top and get a pair of hand made - lasted, welted - Old Englishers from Vass. There's simply none better- these are in U, F lasts respectively if u don't want to wait for hand made, try Carmina RTW- , in the Simpson last

Are the Vass going to be custom made to your foot shape? Does it require traveling to Austria or wherever?