Need advice for dressed down business attire

[BTinTexas]

Hi there,

New member here looking for some advice. I recently found a new sales job in the manufacturing field working with both high level and lower level contacts. What I've noticed so far in this field is that the dress, even at the VP/director level is very relaxed (more so with the Engineering types I typically meet with). For the most part we're talking polo shirts, khakis, slacks, loafers. I have yet to meet with anyone who is wearing a suit let alone a jacket or tie. All of this is fine obviously but I am struggling a little with dressing down, especially the shoes, while at the same time looking professional. My father once told me that you can never be overdressed, but when walking down a hall with my leather soled AE's clicking away, I feel that I am calling negative attention to myself. I would like my customers to relate to me positively on all levels, especially on the first call.

My wardrobe for this new job consists of wool slacks (navy, charcoal, brown, grey, blue), khakis, polo and button down shirts, but again I am struggling with the shoes. I have somewhat of a shoe addiction and now find that my current inventory will be pretty much useless for my new job. Can anyone make any suggestions/recommendations based on the following criteria?

• Rubber soles, quiet, durable, and water resistant (I sometimes find myself walking production floors which can be wet and nasty).
• high quality, I'm trying to find something along the lines of Alden or AE
• this last one might be crazy but I would preffer a slip on type shoe. I am traveling through airports several times a week and lacing un-lacing has become quite a chore

I have my eye on the Alden 9432s...

Any advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

BT

 

[Gdot]

There are lots of soft soled shoes out there.

Crockett and Jones make quite a few - everything from loafers to boots. And their website sorts by sole type.

Bally and Ferragamo usually have some loafer makeups in soft soles.

You can order G&G with dianite soles - although these may be over the top in terms of price at around $1000 each.

These make great shoes for air travel and they slip on an off easily and are comfortable for long periods of time on your feet.

Nothing crazy about loafers in business casual settings at all.

 

[bellyhungry]

Take a look at AE Presidio.

 

[msulinski]

Technically I think leather-soled shoes are still fine in a business casual environment. Depending on the shoe, they might even go well with jeans. If you want to soften the clack sound a bit, you could try getting sole guards put on your shoes. These are low-profile pieces of rubber that get attached to the sole from about the midpoint forward. They don't totally eliminate the sound, but muffle it slightly. You also get added traction, and the sole lasts longer.

 

[Quadcammer]

none of my leather soled shoes clack. might be how you walk.

 

[cassidy96]

I'm thinking loafers..

 

[BTinTexas]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am still searching for the perfect slip on's but in the meantime I pulled the trigger on Alden 9432s. Aside from being lace ups they look to be the perfect shoe for my needs. Looking forward to their arrival next week!

msluinski: I agree that leather soles are fine for business casual but I am in a lot of different environments that can be wet and nasty (think puddles of syrup for example). I think rubber soles are much better suited for my needs.

Quadcammer: I'll have to check my "gait"...

 

[msulinski]

msluinski: I agree that leather soles are fine for business casual but I am in a lot of different environments that can be wet and nasty (think puddles of syrup for example). I think rubber soles are much better suited for my needs.

Yeah, if you are in puddles, sole guards are probably not enough. The shoes you purchased with lug rubber soles should work better.