Shoe conundrum, versatile AEs

[BradKincaid]

Ok, I have another thread about business casual attire, but I think I am getting that figured out. What is bothering me now is what shoes to buy.

The dress code is "business casual." I currently only own one pair of dress-ish shoes, black Bostonian Akrons (open lacing, cap-toe, very questionable quality). I plan to go to work mainly in khaki chinos or grey trousers (definitely wool, maybe cotton later). Up top I will wear standard dress shirts and 50% of the time I will add a blazer and tie (sport coat frequency will increase as I can afford new sport coats). On certain weeks (rare, from what I understand), I will need to show up in a suit (which I have one of).

What I need is a shoe that will go reasonably well with khakis and a dress shirt as well as trousers and a blazer, it would be nice to have the option of wearing them with a suit, but that isn't really necessary. Looking at Allen Edmonds' website I find two attractive shoes at the top of my price range:

Townley: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2721_1_40000000001_-1

McClain: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF3878_1_40000000001_-1

I can only afford one pair of shoes at this price, and they will be worn basically every other weekday (alternating with the Bostonians) until I can afford to add to the rotation. I prefer the McClains, but I fear they may be too dressy for khakis. What are your opinions on the matter? Do you have any alternatives to the AEs I selected or alternatives to AE altogether? If you had to buy shoes from a manufacturer a "step down" from AE, which would it be?

Thanks.

 

[bellyhungry]

Take a look at MacNeil while you are looking at AE.

 

[dapperdoctor]

Try e-bay and look for a pair that are basically new (maybe did not fit the person, etc). These AEs can be had at a fraction of retail.

 

[msulinski]

You mentioned that you think the McClains are too dressy for Khakis, but I don't think that is the case. I would say that the Townleys are a little dressier than the McClains, really. Either way though, you are fine wearing those with Khakis, and can probably get away wearing those with a suit (most people prefer balmorals for a suit). I personally would go with the Townleys out of those 2 options.

 

[tobiasj]

E Delray in brown. One of the best looking AEs I've seen, plus equally comfortable with wool trou or chinos.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1208_1_40000000001_-1

/thread

 

[BradKincaid]

I have seen the Delray brought up in a few other SF threads, but they don't really do it for me, for whatever reason. I think I prefer a shoe with some brogueing and a cap toe.

 

[tobiasj]



I have seen the Delray brought up in a few other SF threads, but they don't really do it for me, for whatever reason.  I think I prefer a shoe with some brogueing and a cap toe.

Well la di da

 

[MyOtherLife]

The 2 examples given.....
Townley


McClain


The McClain is a Balmoral (closed lacing) and therefore dressier than the Townley whch is a blucher (open lacing). Of these two choices, I would opt for the McClain in a pinch because you can always dress down or up with them.

 

[msulinski]

The 2 examples given.....
Townley

McClain

The McClain is a Balmoral (closed lacing) and therefore dressier than the Townley whch is a blucher (open lacing). Of these two choices, I would opt for the McClain in a pinch because you can always dress down or up with them.

Yes, you are right - the McClain is the more formal of the 2. I only looking at the level of brogueing and not paying attention to the lacing when I wrote my reply.

 

[BradKincaid]

Well, I emailed the Shoebank and got a price list for factory seconds. It seems that most AE shoes fall within my price range when going through the Shoebank. Strands in Walnut seem to be a popular SF choice, are they appropriate for this situation?

 

[msulinski]

Well, I emailed the Shoebank and got a price list for factory seconds. It seems that most AE shoes fall within my price range when going through the Shoebank. Strands in Walnut seem to be a popular SF choice, are they appropriate for this situation?

I have some walnut Strands, but, while I like them very much, they can be a bit too "bold" when matched with a conservative suit, like navy or charcoal. It depends on how conservative you may think you need to dress on those rare occassions, but, due to the color, they are not as versatile as the other 2 shoes you asked about.

 

[random-adam]

A colleague of mine has some gray dress shoes that look fantastic... but they are distinctive. If he wears 'em twice in one week, it is noticeable. Walnut shoes aren't as crazy as gray but definitely draw attention. For a first pair of decent shoes that will get worn a lot, you might aim a little more sedate.

My go-to business casual shoes are open-laced dress boots, AE Wilberts (needed an AA-width shoe with a rubber sole for rainy days), and the Leeds in black cordovan. If you're after something more brogue-y that can take a suit in a pinch, that Townley looks great.

 

[MyOtherLife]



A colleague of mine has some gray dress shoes that look fantastic... but they are distinctive. If he wears 'em twice in one week, it is noticeable. Walnut shoes aren't as crazy as gray but definitely draw attention. For a first pair of decent shoes that will get worn a lot, you might aim a little more sedate.

My go-to business casual shoes are open-laced dress boots, AE Wilberts (needed an AA-width shoe with a rubber sole for rainy days), and the Leeds in black cordovan.[COLOR=FF00AA] If you're after something more brogue-y that can take a suit in a pinch, that Townley looks great[/COLOR].

The Townley is a blucher and therefore inappropriate for a suit. True you 'could' wear them with a suit but a balmoral would be the appropriate choice. The reason that AE and other shoe manufacturers make both balmorals and bluchers to begin with is to provide options for both dress and casual needs.

 

[random-adam]



The Townley is a blucher and therefore inappropriate for a suit. True you 'could' wear them with a suit but a balmoral would be the appropriate choice.

There are those who feel that way, and for the most part I agree. If OP had been after interview footwear or shoes for a non-business-casual (conservative business dress) environment, the advice would have been far different... but hell, we live in a world where Allen Edmonds' sole patent offering is a blucher and the majority of men on the street believe square-toed Kenneth Coles are the height of snazzy footwear.

Let's say I can only afford one new pair of shoes and predominant officewear is business casual; I'd feel far better wearing a blucher regularly (and occasionally with a suit) than I would wearing closed-lace shoes all the time with khakis.

 

[BradKincaid]

Are balmorals okay with wool trousers and an odd jacket? If so, maybe I'll buy a pair of burgundy Weejuns on the cheap for the days when I wear khaki chinos and then get something like a brown wingtip balmoral (or brown strands) for the days I wear wool trousers or a suit. This way I can add two shoes to the rotation without hurting my wallet too bad.

On the price list from the Shoebank, they list certain styles that were made for Brooks Brothers. Are Brooks Brothers Strands different from regular Strands, beside the branding on the inside of the shoe?