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Quality essential shoes that are "affordable"

rabbit

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I have been a lurker on these boards for some time and the knowledge found here is enlightening, if not overwhelming.

I am 29 yo and never had to wear dress shoes etc. for my work, but am now learning to appreciate the craftsmanship and quality for everyday wear and future interviews/work. I would like to know what people consider quality shoes for both everyday wear (casual, but to dress up selvedge jeans) and an a classic shoe that can work both for an interview and at work itself- essentially a very small and focused basics collection.

I have read up as much as I can on the subject, and I just find Alden shoes well made but "clunky" looking. I'm more of a modern/minimalist person so I tend to shy away from even cap toes/wingtips (I know I shouldn't!). Any good suggestions for shoes that are around the $400 for a starter like me? (please try to keep this reasonable, as much as everyone will mention SF etc, I cannot justify even at that level of quality a $900+ pair of shoes)

thanks in advance!
 

ohm

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Check out Crockett & Jones or Rider Boot Company (Ron is a member here).
 

The Shoe Snob

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Check out Silvano Sassetti (pictures here) or Grenson, both found at Nordstrom and cost from $295-$395. Magnanni is another that you might like, also found at Nordstrom and retails for around $295. Paul Smith is another great option. Check out To Boot New York as well, they also retail from $300-$425. Can't say that many people on here will agree with all of these because they all seem to have this fixation with Alden and British shoes in general, but these will at least provide you with some options to look at. The nice thing is, depending on where you live, you can find all of these brands at Nordstrom. Oh, Allen Edmonds in another good option, retail around $250-$350.

As far as dress shoes go, since you don't like cap toes or wingtips, try and find a nice plain toe or whole-cut (pictures here). They will definitely suffice for the dressiest work environment and any professional interview.

For an everyday shoe, something brown and maybe suede. A nice pair of chukka or chelsea boots are always a great option. A good loafer is too. With laces, shoes tend to become dressier so keep that in mind. Good luck!
 

Mr. Lee

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Check out the British company Shipton & Heneage-they have a USA site. I bought a pair of suede boots and a pair of suede tassel loafers and they are very nice at $255-$275 or so. They also have some longer toe box styles that are more fashion forward than AE captoes or wingtips. Customer service was decent, but you have to deal with the time change and the fact that there is one person assigned to US orders (even on the web) and since she was "on holiday", my order sat for a week or so then I got a profuse apology.
 

Flanderian

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You also might wish to consider Shipton and Heneage and Pediwear. Both are UK firms. S&H has an U.S. order taking department. I've dealt with S&H and they do a good job of sizing English sizes to American feet. Haven't dealt with Pediwear, but many seem pleased with them.

S&H's less costly shoes are now made in Italy with Blake or Blake Rapid construction, but appear well made.

http://www.shipton-usa.com/

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/
 

JamesX

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Pediwear is great, they are my go to online store for English shoes.
 

rabbit

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Originally Posted by Handmadeshoes
Check out Silvano Sassetti (pictures here) or Grenson..

As far as dress shoes go, since you don't like cap toes or wingtips, try and find a nice plain toe or whole-cut (pictures here). They will definitely suffice for the dressiest work environment and any professional interview.

For an everyday shoe, something brown and maybe suede. A nice pair of chukka or chelsea boots are always a great option. A good loafer is too. With laces, shoes tend to become dressier so keep that in mind. Good luck!


I have seen a few Grenson that looked decent enough to take the plunge for a wingtip. In one of the old "shoe Appreciation" threads here, there were some nice Zegna captoe's that I saw, but with shoe model's changing each season, it's also hard to know what is currently good and obtainable.
 

Twotone

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Allen Edmonds are a great value, especially when on sale. Several ebay sellers offer new in box AE shoes at attractive prices.
 

makewayhomer

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this is confusing b/c you are asking for style and brand recommendations at the same time

I would start by finding some shoes styles that you like, then people can recommend similar styles in various price ranges
 

Viral

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at this point, it makes sense to wait a bout 2-4 weeks when sales will commence. You're question is too broad, since "affrodable" is relative to each person. There are people on SF who earn quite a paycheck, and $800-$1000 shoes are nothing to them.

Conversely, there are many who cannot strecth to over $150 for shoes.

It would be more helpful of you could name a brand/style/model you like and then try to get it for the best price.

Good luck!
 

rabbit

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Originally Posted by Viral
at this point, it makes sense to wait a bout 2-4 weeks when sales will commence. You're question is too broad, since "affrodable" is relative to each person. There are people on SF who earn quite a paycheck, and $800-$1000 shoes are nothing to them. Conversely, there are many who cannot strecth to over $150 for shoes. It would be more helpful of you could name a brand/style/model you like and then try to get it for the best price. Good luck!
Sorry didn't mean to be confusing with the post title. i put the word affordable in quotes in an attempt not to cause confusion. Whereas i am willing to spend around $400 for a pair of good shoes, I know that is the opposite of affordable for many, and relatively cheap compared to some. I will try to post a few pics of shoes I like for recommendations.
collection002.jpg
the first two in terms of color and style (C&J Hallam, Zegna Dark Brown captoe)
0434003349475R_180x240.jpg
 

The Shoe Snob

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Originally Posted by rabbit
Sorry didn't mean to be confusing with the post title. i put the word affordable in quotes in an attempt not to cause confusion. Whereas i am willing to spend around $400 for a pair of good shoes, I know that is the opposite of affordable for many, and relatively cheap compared to some. I will try to post a few pics of shoes I like for recommendations.
collection002.jpg
the first two in terms of color and style (C&J Hallam, Zegna Dark Brown captoe)
0434003349475R_180x240.jpg

You realize that in the larger picture three of them are cap toes and one is a wingtip, the two styles that you mentioned that you shy away from in the original post? Just curious...
 

Chargersfan

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Originally Posted by Handmadeshoes
You realize that in the larger picture three of them are cap toes and one is a wingtip, the two styles that you mentioned that you shy away from in the original post?

Just curious...


Stop confusing the situation with logic.
 

MBreinin

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Originally Posted by Manton
Florsheim Kenmoor is the best value RTW shoe there is. You have to appreciate the American Gunboat style, which not everyone does.

http://www.florsheim.com/shop/style/17109.html


Really, Manton? I thought the new Kenmoors were ****. I scoop up old ones, but never thought the new ones were worth a second look. I am asking honestly.

Mike
 

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