My thorny shoe dilemma -- with pic

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by tiger02

Doc, don't give up hope of wearing light shoes with a suit! Other than the toe stitching there is absolutely nothing wrong with those shoes. At a slightly higher price, you can order a pair of tan leather shoes through Seok, and make all the specifications you want. Follow your urge man, let your inner dandy shine!

Tom

Thanks, Tom. I don't plan to abandon the idea altogether. This is just a conflict between my style desires and bargain-hunting ways.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I'm in the "don't buy" camp. Money is fungible, and you are going to find something you would rather spend $40 on.

 

[johnapril]

Don't throw good money after bad.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by sysdoc

There're also light Enlish-style shoes that look stunning.

A few of those are light brown ...

I'm not the jealous type, but damn you!

 

[southbound35]

I don't want to go all AAAC on you (because I'm hardly trad), but that is a pretty trendy style right now. Johnston and Murphy has an ad in GQ with Lyle Lovett wearing a similar shoe.

Here's a link to the pic:

http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/catalog_chooser.aspx

I think, for $40, it wouldn't be a horrible purchase. But, if I did purchase it, I would likely wear it the four or five times in a year that you mentioned, then donate it to charity. Definitely not a style that will remain "in" for long and not one I'd wear with a suit; I'd consider it with some odd pants sans jacket and tie but would more likely pair it with jeans, chinos, or cords.

The shoes I'm proposing aren't necessarily exciting, but they might somewhat inexpensively meet your desire for a lighter colored shoe you could dress up a bit.

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.as...ProCode=MSHNBB

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.as...ProCode=MPSBRB

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.as...ProCode=MPSCND

The first would be $125 with the current 50% Tyrwhitt promotion code. The second two would be $150. Not exactly in the $40 neighborhood, but certainly not in the $500+ range for the brands mentioned frequently on this board. At the 50% discounted price, I think the Tyrwhitt shoes are a good value. I bought a pair of the first ones last year (the second, calf version, wasn't offered at that time, or I would have bought them) and have been reasonably pleased with them. I believe it has been determined that Loake makes Tyrwhitt's shoes, though I'm not certain.

On edit: After typing my response, I re-read your first post that you were looking for something in a more Italian style. So, these options probably don't meet your needs. The third option is a bit more sleek than the first two options, though.

 

[chorse123]

It's taken me a while to understand that it's a huge waste of money to buy "inexpensive" things you don't use, especially if you don't love them. You're better off sitting on the money and waiting for the right thing to come along. You made the right decision, here.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by southbound35

I don't want to go all AAAC on you (because I'm hardly trad), but that is a pretty trendy style right now. Johnston and Murphy has an ad in GQ with Lyle Lovett wearing a similar shoe.

That, in itself, is alarming.

I think, for $40, it wouldn't be a horrible purchase. But, if I did purchase it, I would likely wear it the four or five times in a year that you mentioned, then donate it to charity. Definitely not a style that will remain "in" for long and not one I'd wear with a suit; I'd consider it with some odd pants sans jacket and tie but would more likely pair it with jeans, chinos, or cords.

The shoes I'm proposing aren't necessarily exciting, but they might somewhat inexpensively meet your desire for a lighter colored shoe you could dress up a bit.

The price on the Tyrwhitt shoes isn't bad for my purposes, but they're all a bit too dark. I already have a good-sized shoe collection in medium to dark brown. I'm after a shoe that is almost blonde, something that pushes the envelope a bit. Trouble is, good ones cost quite a bit and inexpensive ones tend to be quite shoddy. Right now, I'm just looking for a tester pair, to see how much use I'd actually get from them, so I'm reluctant to pay for the top-quality I need for this purpose. It's a Catch-22.

Thanks for suggestions, though. Every idea helps.

 

[tiger02]

The problem with light-colored english-styled shoes, as I see it, is that when paired with a dark or gray suit, they will look a little bit confused. English styling is just too set in its way of black shoes in town/with suits; you need a full departure to get a "great!" instead of a "hmm..." Sysdoc might shoot me down immediately, but I'm willing to bet he doesn't wear most of those shoes with navy or gray suits.

Just my $.03
Tom

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by tiger02

The problem with light-colored english-styled shoes, as I see it, is that when paired with a dark or gray suit, they will look a little bit confused. English styling is just too set in its way of black shoes in town/with suits; you need a full departure to get a "great!" instead of a "hmm..." Sysdoc might shoot me down immediately, but I'm willing to bet he doesn't wear most of those shoes with navy or gray suits.

Just my $.03
Tom

When I set out on this mission, I certainly had Italian in mind. I need something in top quality, the right color and Italian styling, with a low low price.

Not much to ask, is it?

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

When I set out on this mission, I certainly had Italian in mind. I need something in top quality, the right color and Italian styling, with a low low price.

Not much to ask, is it?
Is that a challenge?

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by tiger02

Is that a challenge?

Why yes, now that you ask! I need a 9.5 generally, a 9 if they run large (or have a sufficiently wide toebox.)

Let's see what SF can do!

 

[tiger02]

Too bad you're not a 10.5

 

[tiger02]

Mezlan, this one's not too bad.

 

[tiger02]

Loding

 

[sartorially senseless]

whats the quality like on those mezlans?