Please recommend a pair of decent dress loafers

[Plasdom]

Currently, my only 'dress' shoes are a pair of timberlands http://www.timberland.com/product/in...entPage=family
and kenneth Cole square toe. I know I know. I am in the process of revamping my wardrobe entirely and therefore hve been spending a lot of time on these forums. As you all know this is quite expensive so I am looking to spend ~$150 on a good pair of dress loafers. What brands/sites will you all recommend. I need help or else I will go pick something from Macys/BR/Express. Those are the places where I do most of my shopping

 

[grimslade]

150 isn't a whole lot for good shoes. Depending on what kind of loafer, exactly, you want, you can get Allen-Edmonds loafers for just a little over two bills, and sometimes a little under at places like zappos.com. Whether the styles appeal to you is another matter. I'm currently tempted by AE's Bristol plain-toe slip-on. But that's twice your price (I can't afford them right now either.)

Must.
Stop.
Hanging around.
SF.
Before.
The money's.
All.
Gone.

 

[j]

What are you planning to wear them with? To what sort of events? What is most important to you? What do you like in terms of style/shape/color/finish/etc.?

 

[DGP]

Go to Nordstrom Rack. They have all kinds of different AE shoes for $120-150. They also have Cole Haans (most of which are crappy quality, but some look ok) for about $70-100. I have seen Moreschis, Ferragamos and some Bruno Maglis there as well, all under $200. It really depends on the day and the store though, as it will never be the same twice. You can also check Blue Fly and Sierra Trading Post, as good deals can be found at both (www.bluefly.com and www.sierratradingpost.com).

 

[kitonbrioni]

Go to DSW/Filene's Basement or an outlet mall and you will find plenty of better quality loafers, though $150 won't get you cordovan unless you're lucky.

 

[seok]

check the CT coupon thread for discounts--i think the higher-grade CTs are a good option. Paul Richards in Connecticut (search at http://yp.yahoo.com) offers 10% off Allen Edmonds all-year-round and may be able to ship to you.

i'm actually selling some new-in-box Grenson/Paul Stuart loafers (retail $675, $180), http://web.mac.com/yoonseok.lee. limited sizes though.

 

[Plasdom]

Originally Posted by j

What are you planning to wear them with? To what sort of events? What is most important to you? What do you like in terms of style/shape/color/finish/etc.?
I plan to wear them with dress pants for mostly business casual wear. Envision dress pants and long sleeved shirt. Important qualities are comfort and look. I actually prefer black but I am not sure if I should lean towards a dark brown now.

On www.allenedmonds.com, the dress casuals I am liking are (a) Bergland, (b) Kennet and (c) Stockbridge, in no particular order. I really dig (c)

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by Plasdom

I need help or else I will go pick something from Macys/BR/Express.

Threats won't get you anywhere

 

[Plasdom]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

Threats won't get you anywhere

haha..I meant more to say that I need help else i will go buy something of poor quality and bad style...possibly.

i need something versatile. what are some decent shoe stores I could hit up. I am in the SF bay area. I could bump up the budget to about $250

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by Plasdom

haha..I meant more to say that I need help else i will go buy something of poor quality and bad style...possibly.

i need something versatile. what are some decent shoe stores I could hit up. I am in the SF bay area. I could bump up the budget to about $250


Actually going to one of those stores isn't a horrible idea. It'll tide you over until you have some more money to spend and time to look around for deals on better products. I'm wearing a pair of BR oxfords I bought ages(4years+) ago that are still in good shape for about $60-80, now I can take my time looking for a nice brown shoe for twice that (including SF coupons and sellofs). Anyway I'd go for it especially if you are under the gun in getting this pair

 

[norcaltransplant]

Plasdom,
I would hold out for the Wilkes Bashford warehouse sale. Its supposed to occur sometime in the next week or two. Super discounts... plus they havent held one in about 4-5 years, so the pickings should be really good.

cheers,
nct

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by Plasdom

I plan to wear them with dress pants for mostly business casual wear. Envision dress pants and long sleeved shirt. Important qualities are comfort and look. I actually prefer black but I am not sure if I should lean towards a dark brown now.

On www.allenedmonds.com, the dress casuals I am liking are (a) Bergland, (b) Kennet and (c) Stockbridge, in no particular order. I really dig (c)

the AE stockbridge is a great shoe. assuming it fits properly, it should be very comfortable.

you can usually get em new on ebay for $150, sometimes less.

 

[Plasdom]

Originally Posted by norcaltransplant

Plasdom,
I would hold out for the Wilkes Bashford warehouse sale. Its supposed to occur sometime in the next week or two. Super discounts... plus they havent held one in about 4-5 years, so the pickings should be really good.

cheers,
nct
how will i find out when the sale starts?

 

[rgpuppy]

I really do not understand the bashing Cole Haan gets on here.

As i have admitted before i wear almost exclusively CH shoes, with a few AE in the closest.

For the price value equation i do not think you can do any better. Yes my Tuxedo pumps are an old pair of Polo from when i worked there but they get worn at most 8-10 a year and will last for ever at that rate.

I do not know how long a pair of JL shoes last but with a normaly rotation i get several years out of my CH's and have not a compliant.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by rgpuppy

I really do not understand the bashing Cole Haan gets on here.

For the price value equation i do not think you can do any better.

i find them to be uncomfortable, and a lousy price-value equation, as you put it. i also don't like the leather used for the dress shoes - especially the ones in the 150-185 line, which is kind of plasticky and hard, and forms ugly creases.