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Shoe formality level for office Christmas party?

Brian278

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I have an office Christmas party in a couple of months, so of course, I thought I'd use this as an excuse to buy new shoes.
smile.gif
The party is at night at a 5-star resort in a ballroom, there is a multiple-course meal, and I'd say 80% of the male employees will be in suit and tie and a few of the higher-ups will be in black tie. I'll be wearing a navy gabardine Ralph Lauren Black Label suit, french cuffs, simple white silk pocket square, my nicest tie, etc., so the rest of my outfit will be about as formal as you can do a suit. I'm curious what you would perceive to be the required formality level of the shoes based on these factors.

Are black shoes a must? Do they need to be simple cap-toes or wholecuts? Can I get away with brogues, wingtips, or even monks? I'll most likely be going the C&J handgrade route for any of these assuming the dollar doesn't make me really pay for it, so we're talking Audley (maybe the Hallam), Weymouth, Welbeck, Clifford, or Saville here. Thanks.
 

Kas

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Whoa, since when was deciding on whether you wore black tie or not based on your position in the company? It's either a black tie event, or it isn't.
 

fritzl

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Originally Posted by Brian278
Are black shoes a must?

Do they need to be simple cap-toes or wholecuts? Can I get away with brogues, wingtips, or even monks? I'll most likely be going the C&J handgrade route for any of these assuming the dollar doesn't make me really pay for it, so we're talking Audley (maybe the Hallam), Weymouth, Welbeck, Clifford, or Saville here. Thanks.


IMO, yes.

Simple cap toe is the safest bet.

Brogues and wingtips or monks:
In the night all cats are black. If you think, somebody will take notice. Just avoid it.
 

Brian278

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Originally Posted by Kas
Whoa, since when was deciding on whether you wore black tie or not based on your position in the company? It's either a black tie event, or it isn't.
I could wear black tie, but I don't own a tux and don't want to wear a rented one. It's optional. I realize this goes against typical dress instructions, but that's the way this party is. It just so happens that the CEO down to the VP level are the ones wearing tuxes. I would definitely be the only one at my paygrade wearing black tie, who knows how people would take that, but it's not an issue because I don't want to wear it anyway.
 

Brian278

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Anybody else?

Come on I'm sure plenty of you have been to suit and tie office events at the higher end of the formality spectrum, what do (well-dressed) people wear on their feet?
 

JordanB

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Wear black shoes. It doesn't really matter what type you get - these parties tend to be festive, so get whichever you like best (and might get the best use out of).
 

Metlin

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Originally Posted by chorse123
Ditto. I'd say plain toe or captoe bals.
+1. I'd go with an AE Balmoral (not the Mora monk strap), or Clifton, or maybe good old PAs (when in doubt and all that...). Edit: Going with wingtips or brogues is a personal preference (I wouldn't); at the end of the day, I doubt most people would care either way.
 

Eagle

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Given the outfit and time of the event, black shoes are a must. Sounds like a really good reason to go out and buy a pair of AE Park Avenues, in black calf!
 

forsbergacct2000

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Whatever black shoes you wear when you really want to dress well. (Obviously not loafers or anything.)
 

Tarmac

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Originally Posted by Kas
Whoa, since when was deciding on whether you wore black tie or not based on your position in the company? It's either a black tie event, or it isn't.
Following true black-tie or formality protocol rarely happens except at the highest and oldest of financial or law firms. 99.99% of Corporate annual parties simply ask that you "dress up". I have been to several such parties where the higher-ups all agreed to wear a tux, almost as a joke. Yes, the execs thought it was funny that they all wore tuxedos. If a lowlie wore a tux the VPs would probably think he was trying to get in on the joke, and get in on their circle. The OP sounds like his party is one of these. If you are trying to look sharp, by all means buy a plaintoe black oxford or maybe even patent. But whether you wear wingtips or $89 kenneth cole bluchers or $1500 black MTO Gazianos, very few people are gonna notice. They will be too drunk or busy adjusting their push-up bra.
 

CunningSmeagol

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+10 on black shoes. I wore burgundy shoes to one of these a couple years ago and felt stupid. If you have big feet, the 348 last is pretty much the worst thing you can put on them, so Hallam forth with caution.
 

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