Shoe options with a Tuxedo

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by LesterSnodgrass

Yes!

 

[binge]

I've been eyeing some formal pumps and am drawn to velvet rather than patent. However, I am curious to know, from the pump-wearing forumites; when going to a formal event where you'll have to do at least a bit of outdoor walking, do the pumps hold up as well as regular shoes, like a patent balmoral?

Just thinking about situations where I might be going to a black tie event here in San Francisco where I would dress at home, take a cab to the destination and perhaps have to walk a city block or two in the process of getting from here to there. In a different situation, say if I was staying in a hotel in another city and attending an event in the hotel, I wouldn't worry about it since I'd be indoors. Or if it was a private party at a friend's house, I could wear regular black bals for transit, then switch to the slippers upon arrival.

Any first-hand opinions about wearing the pumps during pre/post-event activities, such as getting to and fro?

 

[Fnarf]

I'm looking to upgrade from my pretty horrible patent slipons (which don't even have the advantage of fitting properly), and I'm very attracted to the classic patent opera pump with the bow. (If you think these shoes are unmanly, you're calling Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin unmanly, which isn't a very smart thing to do; they are EXTRAORDINARILY manly, and convey much more masculine confidence than even the studliest cowboy boots).

However, in poking around I've discovered these really nice suede slippers, also with a bow. What do you think? Could I get away with these under my tux?

http://www.shiptonandheneage.co.uk/l...rs-2362-0.html

(suede in upper right, patent on the right in the second row).

 

[fcuknu]

Originally Posted by jmh

What is the maker and source for these pumps, please?

http://www.vivre.com/control/product...mpaign=Product

They are Christian Louboutins, red sole and all

.

 

[sartort]

I got the Shipton & Heneage Paris Piccadilly Patent adelaides and quite like them. I will shoot pics and post later.

 

[wmb]

brooks brothers sells a velvet slipper that has a leather soul and heel and could easily work as a tux shoe/pump. It is very reasonably priced, I think under $175 even though it is made in England...(!)

Also, you dont need to get a patent leather shoe -- I think that a smooth calf plain lace shoe works, then you can use it with suits as well if you dont use the tux a lot...

 

[Frogger42]

Ive been thinking about Shipton and Heneage Monogrammed velvet slippers for a while. They offer a good value, but with the pound where it is, it appears US customers are at a disadvantage to the tune of $100. Are prices negotiable, and can anyone speak to the quality? Are there any other alternatives for monogrammed pumps?

 

[sartort]

just purchase from the UK site.

 

[Frogger42]

Tried to, but they dont appear to have a ship to USA, then you get into VAT, think I might call them tommorrow

 

[Fnarf]

Disadvantage? The pound is incredibly low right now. The dollar is low against the Euro but very strong against the pound. The Shipton and Heneage shoes are at least $50 less to Americans than they were just a few months ago.

 

[Frogger42]

Fnarf we are in agreement, the USA customer site has prices in USD that do not float with the exchange rate, so we are at a disadvantage under the presumption they only conduct business through their USA site.

 

[Fnarf]

Oh, my mistake! I didn't even know they had a USA site. I've been looking at the UK site the whole time.

 

[JoeWoah]

Since this was brought back again... it is very informative... I should tell you what I did.

I found a cheap patent leather Balmoral at Zara on sale for $49.99. They look good and are very comfortable for a cheap shoe. Lets be honest, I may wear the tux and the shoes a few times a year, at most, so they're good enough for the time being.

 

[fcuknu]

yeah, if youre not going to be going to too many formal events spending a lot doesn't make too much sense. Ive seen some pretty nice modern "throw away" shoes from zara. They wouldnt last more than a season, but youd probably be bored with them by then...

 

[Fnarf]

Someone at Shipton has confirmed that they want US customers to use their US website, which means paying a hefty premium over their UK prices. Their patent leather slipper is GBP 129 on the UK site, which converts to about USD 180 today, while the same shoe is USD 245 on the American site.

I have found Broadland slippers, at http://www.shipton-usa.com/leather-s...rs-2362-0.html, who make a nice-looking evening pump in patent or plain calf, for GBP 90. I have inquired whether they ship to the US, and will let you know here.