Some advice, please, on the next shoe purchase

[Ptanis]

Hi all, I'm new here. My name is Nate.
Looking for some advice on the next pair of dress shoes. I wear mainly darker suits- navy, grey, brown- and I currently have the following:

Black PA
Brown FA
Oxblood McAlister
Chili MacNeil

I'm considering MacNeil in black, or Strand in black or walnut. I know quite a few reserve black for a black suit, but I like it with darker navy or charcoal. Any thoughts would be welcome. Both the 5 and 7 lasts are a good fit.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I'm assuming you are looking at more shoes to be able to wear with suits?

I don't think a black MacNeil would really work. When it comes to black shoes, I prefer to look at those with minimal ornamentation. Having said that, I have the Strand in brown Shell Cordovan and I'm not sure it would look that good in black. The Strand in walnut might be a better choice.

 

[dieworkwear]

I'm convinced that no one wears that walnut color well. Tan shoes are already difficult enough to wear. They go best with lighter colored suits and sport coats, which most men don't own or have the occasions to wear. But Allen Edmonds' shade of tan is particularly harsh. It's very orange.

Black shoes are fine with dark suits, such as navy and gray. The difference between MacNeil and Strand will be mostly in the formality. Open lacing will look slightly more casual than closed lacing. A suit would support either; it just depends on the kind of look you want to create.

 

[FlyingHorker]

I'm convinced that no one wears that walnut color well. Tan shoes are already difficult enough to wear. They go best with lighter colored suits and sport coats, which most men don't own or have the occasions to wear. But Allen Edmonds' shade of tan is particularly harsh. It's very orange.

Black shoes are fine with dark suits, such as navy and gray. The difference between MacNeil and Strand will be mostly in the formality. Open lacing will look slightly more casual than closed lacing. A suit would support either; it just depends on the kind of look you want to create.

Walnut colour looks best on a more casual shoe like the Macneil or Leeds

 

[dieworkwear]

Walnut colour looks best on a more casual shoe like the Macneil or Leeds

Still not convinced anyone wears that color well. It's just so orange.

Tan shoes are hard to wear in successful outfits. Warm shoes also take a bit more coordination. Orange shoes are the worst of both worlds -- bright, loud, light-colored, and warm.

Guys who wear AE walnut shoes often wear them with dark suits. But the bright color just drags the eye downward.

If you wear light-colored, tan shoes, especially in a warm tone, then you need to pay attention to the rest of your outfit. You can't just throw them into a dark ensemble. Here's Mark in a light-colored sport coat that also has a yellow undertone. This works great, IMO

A bit easier is a tan color with a colder, earthier hue. Edward Green has a few shades like this

Or you can avoid these issues entirely by only wearing shoes in dark brown, mid-brown, and black.

 

[FlyingHorker]

Still not convinced anyone wears that color well. It's just so orange.

Tan shoes are hard to wear in successful outfits. Warm shoes also take a bit more coordination. Orange shoes are the worst of both worlds -- bright, loud, light-colored, and warm.

Guys who wear AE walnut shoes often wear them with dark suits. But the bright color just drags the eye downward.

View attachment 1413235
View attachment 1413236


If you wear light-colored, tan shoes, especially in a warm tone, then you need to pay attention to the rest of your outfit. You can't just throw them into a dark ensemble. Here's Mark in a light-colored sport coat that also has a yellow undertone. This works great, IMO

View attachment 1413237


A bit easier is a tan color with a colder, earthier hue. Edward Green has a few shades like this

View attachment 1413238


Or you can avoid these issues entirely by only wearing shoes in dark brown, mid-brown, and black.

I'd only use it for strictly very casual use for the reasons you mentioned. It just doesn't work in most suits.

Most men go "Dark-light-dark" from top-down and don't have the wardrobe to support brighter shoes.

Agreed on both those pictures being good examples.

 

[FlyingHorker]

OP I would go Brown FA or Oxblood McAllister