Shoe rotation question - need help with the next purchase

[spacemanvt]

Hey guys, need some stylistic advice on where to take my shoe collection: I work in a business casual environment and usually wear a shirt and tie to work daily. I have: 2 Pairs of Allen Edmonds captoes Black Park Avenues and a pair of Chili Reddings (bulcher captoes) I would like a pair of brown shoes ,burgundy/merlot, and at some point perhaps a lighter chestnut color (not really a necessity) was thinking either : The Mccallister in merlot

or the strand in dark brown

they are very similar shoes, I am having a hard time deciding which to go for: are wing tips less formal than the style of broguing they have on the strand? which color is more flexible with outfits? (i know the answer will be brown but i have a hard time finding brown shoes that have a nice color, these strands look rather boring to me) just wondering if you guys had any thoughts?

 

[antirabbit]

The strand for sure.

I would push for an Italian or English option, something with a bit more refined last.

 

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

The strand for sure.

I would push for an Italian or English option, something with a bit more refined last.

This. Allen Edmonds are great shoes, but variety is the spice of life.

 

[andyw]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

This. Allen Edmonds are great shoes, but variety is the spice of life.

+1

 

[card_richelieu]

If you are hooked on AE then what follows you can ignore...

In burg I would suggest checking out the Raleigh II form Herring (made by Cheaney I believe). For chestnut (don't know your budget) why not check out C&J Selbornes?

 

[nathan]

If you like AE and the perf look, I'd suggest the Hale.

It's sleek and looks a lot less busy then the two shoes you posted. But of course, in the end, it's your decision.

 

[Francisco D'Anconia]

I also vote for the Strand. It's more versatile, plus I just like semi-brogues better than full brogues.

BTW OP, have you seen this thread yet: MY AE Strands arrived a couple days ago ...? The color of the brown leather looks so much better than the photos from AE's marketing department. I'm assuming the brown Mccallister is the same. Either way, among AE's I think you're good with either.

 

[JLibourel]

Either the Strand in brown or the McCallister in merlot would be an excellent addition to your shoe wardrobe. I have been flirting with the idea of buying both although I'm already very well supplied with A-E shoes.

 

[junthin]

The Strand in brown.

 

[bc78]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Either the Strand in brown or the McCallister in merlot would be an excellent addition to your shoe wardrobe. I have been flirting with the idea of buying both although I'm already very well supplied with A-E shoes.

Same here. I think I'd lean towards the strand.

 

[blackplatano]

You have too captoes and want another one? Go for the wingtip.

 

[spacemanvt]

Thanks for the recs.....
not really interested going up to italian/english shoe brands as of yet as the price/value doesnt seem to be there for me at this point...
the Hale is out as the #8 last doesnt seem to fit as well on me as the #5 one.

I do agree that I already have two captoes and perhaps should go for something else instead.....

 

[Brian278]

Originally Posted by spacemanvt

Thanks for the recs.....
not really interested going up to italian/english shoe brands as of yet as the price/value doesnt seem to be there for me at this point...
the Hale is out as the #8 last doesnt seem to fit as well on me as the #5 one.

I do agree that I already have two captoes and perhaps should go for something else instead.....

Are you paying full retail for these? If so, C&J Benchgrades are the same price and offer some more interesting lasts, and quality is the same or slightly better depending on who you ask.

 

[dkzzzz]

Is life too short for ugly shoes?

 

[spacemanvt]

no they are seconds and come out to be about ~200