Newbie Question - Park Avenue with slim pants

[RangerP]

Hi Everyone,

I'm very new to these forums. I have been reading for about 2-3 weeks.

I'm looking into purchasing my first pair of "real" shoes and I know that the most recommended shoe for someone on a budget is the Black AE Park Avenue.

I'm only 24 and it seems to me like this is not a great looking shoe for someone my age... but I'm sure it's because I'm used to seeing the more trendy longer and pointier shoes everywhere.

I tried on a pair of AE Park Avenues today with a fairly slim pair of dress pants and they looked a little clunky?

Am I just not used to the look or is the Park Avenue better for a looser fitting pant?

Thanks!

PS. Please don't throw tomatoes at me for not loving the Park Avenues...

 

[Lord-Barrington]

I think they look good with a slimmer pant but to each his own. They are definitely a more traditional shoe. Have you though about the Bel-Air or the Weybridge? They are around the same price but perhaps a bit more modern.

 

[HarleyBob]

Clearly Animal Thug did not read your post. You have asked which would go better with your slim pants. He directed you to two different models, both of which are slipons but one of which is much better with the slim pants. I would definitely go with the Niles as it has a much more squared and pronounced toe. The square toe is much preferred here on SF.

Originally Posted by Animal Thug

I would recommend the Niles or Park Avenue as seen here.

 

[RangerP]

Originally Posted by Lord-Barrington

I think they look good with a slimmer pant but to each his own. They are definitely a more traditional shoe. Have you though about the Bel-Air or the Weybridge? They are around the same price but perhaps a bit more modern.

Thanks Lord-Barrington. I googled both and must say that I like the look of those a bit more.

Are they discontinued? I can't seem to find them on the AE website. This has been the case for a lot of AE shoes that people mention on this forum. I can't seem to ever find them on the actual AE website.

 

[RangerP]

Another question.

I just noticed that there is a pair of BEL-AIRs in my size on eBay...

If I'm a certain size in the Park Avenue, will I be the same size in the bel-air? What last is the bel-air on?

Thanks!

 

[greyinla]

It's not that the PA doesn't work with slim pants so much as it is, as you suggested, not the most youthful shoe out there. It's also best paired w/ a suit.

Pretty sure Bel Air and Weybridge are on the 0 last, which tends to be their most modern look. (You might like the Soho, if you can find one, or the Augusta or Charleston in the current line. ) There should be some lists of AE lasts floating around here, or for current models, check the AE website. You will likely be the same size in each last, though different lasts might fit you better.

 

[RangerP]

Purchased! http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...#ht_4164wt_913 Pretty excited actually... I'm from Canada and Allen Edmonds are 450$ with taxes here...

 

[L'Incandescent]

Judging by your excitement, I fear that you might be on your way to developing an expensive habit! Congratulations on your first "real shoe" purchase.

 

[southbound35]

Though I'm neither a slim pant nor a wingtip shoes guy, I think that should be pretty good look. I'd be interested to see "in action" pics once they've arrived.

 

[RangerP]

Originally Posted by L'Incandescent

Judging by your excitement, I fear that you might be on your way to developing an expensive habit! Congratulations on your first "real shoe" purchase.

I have to admit that I might be getting hooked on this stuff.

However, I don't think I went overboard with these shoes.

Look at what I'm wearing now.. those are just gross really.

 

[kylelovesyou]

queue the "kill it with fire" pic

 

[amplifiedheat]

You've got it backwards. Slim pants+sleek shoes makes intuitive sense, but doesn't work in practice. Sleeker shoes look long and thin--when combined with a narrow-leg trousers, they look disproportionate.

 

[acecow]

Don't get the Park Aves, unless you need to go to interviews. They are very formal and kind of boring. You already said so yourself, so our perception of them is similar. That said, I own a pair in black mostly for office use or when I need to tone down my overall ensemble. They weren't my first pair of shoes, though... More like 10th. My first AE was Weybridge in Chili and they are lovely shoes. I wear them much more often than my PAs.