Never wear black dress shoes?

[moxer]

My two pair of black dress shoes are getting ratty, and in the course of looking for new ones, came to the realization that black dress shoes are boring. Yes, custom-made cap toes are nicer than J&M, but not to the extent of brown, etc. especially if I'm going to be spending $200-$400.

Assuming I never wear my black shoes again, what 4-5 pair of dress shoes should I have to wear with suits (blue/gray) 5 days a week? Three shades/styles of brown (maybe a dress boot?) and a cordovan? Or, should I just get over it and buy new black shoes?

 

[micbain]

Originally Posted by moxer

My two pair of black dress shoes are getting ratty, and in the course of looking for new ones, came to the realization that black dress shoes are boring. Yes, custom-made cap toes are nicer than J&M, but not to the extent of brown, etc. especially if I'm going to be spending $200-$400.

Assuming I never wear my black shoes again, what 4-5 pair of dress shoes should I have to wear with suits (blue/gray) 5 days a week? Three shades/styles of brown (maybe a dress boot?) and a cordovan? Or, should I just get over it and buy new black shoes?

http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/...-wardrobe.html

I prefer darker browns but that's just me. I wouldn't do away with black entirely...when I intially joined SF, I was a convert to brown only but now I realize black can look very sleek. I have 7 pairs of dress shoes, 5 brown and 2 black.

 

[Shoe City Thinker]

Despite the iGent bias against black shoes, you will always need a pair of black shoes in your wardrobe. Just not the duck-billed Kenneth Cole type.

 

[moxer]

Well, I do have a pair of Barney's label black cap toes (not sure who actually made them), and Cole Haan plain toe slip-ons, but I was thinking more about the more expensive shoes I buy in the future. Those two pair are good enough for when I need black, but I'm thinking two black, two cordovan and three brown should be pretty good.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by moxer

Well, I do have a pair of Barney's label black cap toes (not sure who actually made them), and Cole Haan plain toe slip-ons, but I was thinking more about the more expensive shoes I buy in the future. Those two pair are good enough for when I need black, but I'm thinking two black, two cordovan and three brown should be pretty good.
Although I like black shoes and wear them often, your plan sounds fine.

 

[Butterfly]

I've a nuanced take on this question. Traditionally, brown shoes were for not for city wear, though this bias was stronger in Britain than in America. I have no scruple against wearing brown shoes in town, but too much respect for history to give up wearing black entirely. A solid wardrobe has both.

 

[Warren G.]

Black EG Chelesa and JLP Chapel is def. gonna be in my shoe wardrobe one day

 

[binge]

I wore black shoes today.

 

[emptym]

So did I, what a coincidence!

 

[binge]

Ahh, the bromance...

 

[emptym]

Dude, if you hadn't said anything, they wouldn't know. Now I have to deny things.

I wore it for graduation. My first time on the stage. Fun. Thought black shoes went well w/ the black robes.

 

[binge]

Originally Posted by emptym

Dude, if you hadn't said anything, they wouldn't know. Now I have to deny things.

Well, I'll always be second-fiddle anyways. I mean, I've never ridden in Matt's car...you have that unique distinction among SF'ers...

I wore it for graduation. My first time on the stage. Fun. Thought black shoes went well w/ the black robes.

Nice. I'm curious to hear the whole story, did you give a speech and all?

And speaking of graduation robes, last week I saw a guy in black robes crossing 3rd and Howard. My initial reaction was "supreme court justice?" then I noticed the details on the sleeve and figured he was headed for a graduation ceremony.

Probably the second best person I saw IRL that day...after myself of course.

 

[emptym]

You can ride on the back of my bike some time. How's that? But only if you wear black shoes. I didn't give a speech. The valedictorian did, and she said 90% of it was based on things she learned in my classes. She quoted me two or three times. Second best dressed person?

 

[binge]

Originally Posted by emptym

You can ride on the back of my bike some time. How's that? But only if you wear black shoes.

Only if my initials are carved on the footpegs...standards of exclusivity and all...

I didn't give a speech. The valedictorian did, and she said 90% of it was based on things she learned in my classes. She quoted me two or three times.

Sweet, I'd like to see her endnotes some time...

Second best dressed person?

Second best, in every way.

 

[emptym]

In that case, your initials will be there. Every other part has been claimed, but I've been saving my footpegs for the best.