Please help me pick a good versatile shoe for travel.

[jmeb]

I'd love some suggestions. Having a hard time warming up to any of the loafers I'm seeing.

It'd help us a bit if we knew a bit more about your style in general. Is it fashion-forward / edgy, very traditional, younger, older, colorful, muted, American-influenced, or European-esque? Lots of loafer variety out-there from the classic American beefroll penny (Quoddy, Rancourt, Oak Street, etc), to slimmer dressier ones from makers like Meerim etc.

 

[CTfam]

Wow, you guys don't like the Aldens? Oh well...

Thanks for the reply and I appreciate the suggestion. Those penny loafers are OK I guess. I just find all penny loafers safe and boring. I guess that is the purpose of them... Reminds me of when I was 9 years old and my mom would drag me to church. Just looking at other options. My local shop has some dark brown suede horse bit loafers that look pretty slick. Maybe too casual for a suit though..

It'd help us a bit if we knew a bit more about your style in general. Is it fashion-forward / edgy, very traditional, younger, older, colorful, muted, American-influenced, or European-esque? Lots of loafer variety out-there from the classic American beefroll penny (Quoddy, Rancourt, Oak Street, etc), to slimmer dressier ones from makers like Meerim etc.

Thanks for the reply. I'm 30 from USA and pretty much ignorant when it comes to fashion. I guess I'd say I like a classic American style. Nothing too edgy but I like to stand out from the crowd. I thought those wingtips would achieve that. Maybe I'm asking for too much out of one shoe and I need to buy a bigger suitcase.

 

[9thsymph]

Thanks for the reply and I appreciate the suggestion. Those penny loafers are OK I guess. 1) I just find all penny loafers safe and boring. I guess that is the purpose of them... Reminds me of when I was 9 years old and my mom would drag me to church. Just looking at other options. My local shop has some 2 ) dark brown suede horse bit loafers that look pretty slick. Maybe too casual for a suit though..

Thanks for the reply. 3) I'm 30 from USA and pretty much ignorant when it comes to fashion. 4) I guess I'd say I like a classic American style. Nothing too edgy but I like to stand out from the crowd. I thought those wingtips would achieve that. Maybe I'm asking for too much out of one shoe and I need to buy a bigger suitcase.

Bold statement 4 is heartily contradicted by bold statement 1. Bold statement 2 also contradicts bold statement 4. Bold statement 3 explains these contradictions.

My 2cents: It is far better to buy classic, well made, "boring" [elegant] **** and bring IT to life with your own personality, rather than buying, trendy, "slick" [douchey] **** that aims to bring [false] life to YOUR personality.

 

[9thsymph]

(in other words: if you want to "stand out from the crowd" than look within, not to your clothes...)

 

[CTfam]

Bold statement 4 is heartily contradicted by bold statement 1. Bold statement 2 also contradicts bold statement 4. Bold statement 3 explains these contradictions.

My 2cents: It is far better to buy classic, well made, "boring" [elegant] **** and bring IT to life with your own personality, rather than buying, trendy, "slick" [douchey] **** that aims to bring [false] life to YOUR personality.

I appreciate your time. Are you saying dark brown horse bit loafers are trendy and douchey? I thought they were considered a classic. I just thought they had a bit more flash then the penny loafers.

 

[Dogs Bollocks]

I would go for this, Ralph Lauren Marlow Plain Toe in cordovan. Looks great with jeans or more dressed up and the cordovan is definitely a travelers dream because of lack of a need for polish.

If you go for a loafer I would do the Alden Full Strap, also in cordovan. Versatile, durable, easy at security, some even wear with bermuda shorts.

 

[CTfam]

I would go for this, Ralph Lauren Marlow Plain Toe in cordovan. Looks great with jeans or more dressed up and the cordovan is definitely a travelers dream because of lack of a need for polish.

If you go for a loafer I would do the Alden Full Strap, also in cordovan. Versatile, durable, easy at security, some even wear with bermuda shorts.

Cool thanks! I'm heading to the store now to look around. Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[Dogs Bollocks]

Sizing is tricky with both of them, especially the Alden. Until you know your size do not order them unless you can easily return.

 

[9thsymph]

I appreciate your time. 1) Are you saying dark brown horse bit loafers are trendy and douchey? I thought they were considered a classic. 2) I just thought they had a bit more flash then the penny loafers.

1. Not trendy, but...

2. Yes they do. BUT....Let me ask you this: What do many tremendously hip style icons such as Micheal Jackson, James Dean, Paul Newman, Any Warhol [etc...] have in common besides their "flashy" personalities ---like, say for instance, in terms of footwear? [penny-to-the-motherfucking loafers] Just sayin...

 

[CTfam]

Sizing is tricky with both of them, especially the Alden. Until you know your size do not order them unless you can easily return.

Thanks... I doubt I will find any of those exact shoes where I am currently (Vietnam) but I'm getting some ideas for styles... I can find something that "looks" like those.

1. Not trendy, but...

2. Yes they do. BUT....Let me ask you this: What do many tremendously hip style icons such as Micheal Jackson, James Dean, Paul Newman, Any Warhol [etc...] have in common besides their "flashy" personalities ---like, say for instance, in terms of footwear? [penny-to-the-motherfucking loafers] Just sayin...

Gotcha. So dudes rockin the penny loafers can still get laid and if I buy a pair I wont instantly go bald and grow a beer belly.

Last thought. Suede... Yes or No?

 

[Dogs Bollocks]

for travel shoes go with Cordovan, not suede. Cordovan in this sense, is a material, not a color. Look into the properties of Cordovan, it travels really well, does not need polish, and wears like iron. Suede is great, the only issue is it can be damaged fairly easily by weather if you don't keep up with waterproofing.

As a side thought, knowing what I do about shoe materials, when my boys go off to school, initially I will send them with one of these shoes, in cordovan. I could have gone the whole way with some athletic shoes and a pair of either of these. These care and wear properties are no doubt why Cordovan is often favored for officers shoes.

 

[9thsymph]

I love suede, but it can be tough to maintain...I'd go cordovan. It can be pricy, but it lasts forever and ages really well (and goes with nearly everything in terms of color...).

 

[9thsymph]

(Oh...dogs b. beat me to it...)

 

[9thsymph]

all they need are some socks:

http://www.justjared.com/photo-gallery/2577884/ryan-gosling-canada-airport-05/fullsize/

http://www.voxsartoria.com/post/106321407733/the-no-socks-with-loafers-crowd-harrison-ford

 

[ter1413]

Those Alden loafers are ugly IMO.