Shoe Styles - Dressiest to Casual

[jmh]

There must be a thread (or a dozen) here that rank shoe styles from dressiest to casual.

Specifically, I'm wondering where the plain blucher (i.e., the RL/C&J Darlton Blutcher) falls on the scale.

Can someone please direct me to previous discussions on this topic?

What's the best reference on this subject in the preferred fashion books?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by jmh

There must be a thread (or a dozen) here that rank shoe styles from dressiest to casual.

Specifically, I'm wondering where the plain blucher (i.e., the RL/C&J Darlton Blutcher) falls on the scale.

Can someone please direct me to previous discussions on this topic?

What's the best reference on this subject in the preferred fashion books?

the formality or casualness of a shoe depends on quite a bit more factors than the style - it also depends on the last, the sole, the leather type and the color.

generally, balmorals are more formal than bluchers, sleeker lasts are more formal than bulkier lasts, single sole is more formal than double soles, standard welt is more formal than reverse welt*, plain calfskin is more formal than shell cordovan which is more formal than suede or pebble grain leathers, and black is more formal than brown or burgundy.

For business dress, I probably would go cap-toe, plain-toe, wingtip, moc/split toe for toe styles. But in mind that for formal affairs, you wear a plain-toe balmoral if you're not wearing a pump, as opposed to a cap-toe.

*I'm not getting into the whole blake stitch versus welt stitch versus norwegian and reverse welts and so on.

also, plain stitching would be more formal than perforations and medallions.

 

[horton]

I'd suggest buying The Suit. Fun to read plus informative.

Distant second are FLusser books

 

[Viktri]

Didn't feel like starting a new thread.

I've got interviews (hopefully) in a month for Accounting firms (kpmg, pwc, d&t, e&y).

I'm trying to decide on what shoe to wear. I was originally going for a look more like the AE leeds but then I read this. Is the cap-toe still the most formal shoe?

If it is, then I'm trying to decide between a Mora or Park Avenue black. I'm assuming black is the most formal suit colour and a necessity when applying for a job interview - someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I haven't been able to find any good deals on Ebay for my size (8-8.5 eee) for these shoes, was wondering if there are other brands better value @ the $285-300 i'd have to pay.

my alternative are square loafers (aldo, =( very ugly) or chestnut brown hillcrest AEs

 

[lasbar]

Like for any other subjects ,there is an fashion etiquette and what i do call the sense of personal style...
You can also add to the mix your sense of elegance and balance ,aesthetics,personal choices,your desire to gel or to shock and you have your answer..

The "all black" brigade ,especially for business wear ,has been slowly overtaken by the "Brown with everything" more latin influence...
Sometimes aesthetics and formal etiquette are not evolving at the same pace...
The brown is offering more epth and beautiful patinas than the more flat black and it is not a surprise that the most conservative footwears are not combined in tan or dark wooden brown instead of the classic boring black...

You have to learn the basics and make your own view of the subject....
Don't start from the etiquette without defining first who you are and what you do really like...

 

[Viktri]

Thanks for the advice, but I still think at my age it would be appropriate to follow formal norms, unless black shoes aren't formal norms in generally in businesses. (this is what I've been told). I like to fit in at least until I've tested the waters.

At $270 USD, what options are available besides AE PAs?

 

[alliswell]

Wait - You want a plain navy suit, and a plain charcoal gray suit as a backup. Black business suits work best for undertakers.

 

[lasbar]

+1000 with the midnight suit over a black one....
Navy is offering more depth and versatility and you can also wear more different shoe patinas withnavy ,even dark brown....

Black is formal/non-risky and good for wedding,funerals,etc...
I do like black as a statement in a Tom Ford way...

 

[Viktri]

Sorry, that was a typo.
I mean black as the most formal shoe colour.