Square toe shoes: Are these square toe shoes?

[hi123]

I have these zara shoes. I don't know if they are square toe shoes. It seems to me like everyone has a different definition of square toe shoes.

To be honest, my sense of style is not great so I need you guys' help.
1. Should I get a different pair or are these not square toe?

I found this guide, and to me where it says "Should be wearing" half of them look square to me. Correct me if I'm wrong but my shoes resemble the top left ones to me, but THEY ALSO RESEMBLE THE SQUARES!
Also, I always thought the pointy ones where it says "shouldn't wear" were OK. So I'm really lost.
2. Are pointy shoes faux pas?



And what about these guys in this Ad?
Isn't the middle one wearing square toe shoes???




3. Please explain to me what a square toe shoe is.
4. What kind of shoes should you not buy.
5. If I'm scared of making a mistake should I just stick to rounded end shoes? Is there a type of shoe you just can't go wrong with?


Thank you guys so much! Please help this newb.

 

[YRR92]

Yeah, I don't think you can go wrong with Edward Green or Crockett & Jones. But those are a little more expensive than Zara.

The Zara ones, however, are too square toed, and they look rather cheap to boot.

People sometimes call shoes with a square-ish, but not too square toe (some of the "good" examples in the diagram, as well as the ones on the middle gent in the photo) "chisel" toes. You'll notice that there is taper from the widest point to the toe, even when the toe is squared off. If the shoe doesn't taper much from the widest point to the end of the toe, then it's indefensibly square-toed. Also, the top view is only part of the story: a chisel toe isn't square from the side. That diagram isn't bad. Some of the ones it says are fine are more square than I wear, but that's personal taste. I actually think the person who drew that is a great fan of chisel toes – my favorite shoes are often more rounded than any of those.


You should not buy shoes that don't fit, shoes you think are ugly, or cheap shoes if you can afford good ones. If you don't know exactly what you like, you should stick to safe choices: for suits, a round-toed, but fairly sleek, black lace-up. For casual wear, a rounded brown suede chukka boot works very well.

 

[hi123]

Yeah, I don't think you can go wrong with Edward Green or Crockett & Jones. But those are a little more expensive than Zara.

The Zara ones, however, are too square toed, and they look rather cheap to boot.

People sometimes call shoes with a square-ish, but not too square toe (some of the "good" examples in the diagram, as well as the ones on the middle gent in the photo) "chisel" toes. You'll notice that there is taper from the widest point to the toe, even when the toe is squared off. If the shoe doesn't taper much from the widest point to the end of the toe, then it's indefensibly square-toed. Also, the top view is only part of the story: a chisel toe isn't square from the side. That diagram isn't bad. Some of the ones it says are fine are more square than I wear, but that's personal taste. I actually think the person who drew that is a great fan of chisel toes – my favorite shoes are often more rounded than any of those.


You should not buy shoes that don't fit, shoes you think are ugly, or cheap shoes if you can afford good ones. If you don't know exactly what you like, you should stick to safe choices: for suits, a round-toed, but fairly sleek, black lace-up. For casual wear, a rounded brown suede chukka boot works very well.

Thanks a lot for such a great and honest answer YRR92. Frankly I can't even tell what looks cheap and what doesn't. I'm broke as hell, barely eating and living with a mate for free. I'm starting an unpaid banking internship in London soon and I wont start making money until after a few months. It's hard cos I'm really in a bad state financially but I worry I'll end up looking gormless to my bosses and colleagues in an industry where dressing well is very important.

Another question is. Are square toes bad everywhere? Maybe they're worse in America than in London?
Is there are way to salvage these cheap Zaras at all? Like a shine?

I can't wait to make money and buy some nice shoes. My suits are also from and although they look good to me, they probably look like sh@te to the trained eye. I'm so worried I'll look bad at work, and a loan for a proper wardrobe is not ideal atm...
TT

 

[YRR92]

Thanks a lot for such a great and honest answer YRR92. Frankly I can't even tell what looks cheap and what doesn't. I'm broke as hell, barely eating and living with a mate for free. I'm starting an unpaid investment banking internship in London soon and I wont start making money until after a few months. It's hard cos I'm really in a bad state financially but I worry I'll end up looking gormless to my bosses and colleagues in an industry where dressing well is very important.

Another question is. Are square toes bad everywhere? Maybe they're worse in America than in London?
Is there are way to salvage these cheap Zaras at all? Like a shine?

I can't wait to make money and buy some nice shoes. My suits are also from Zara and although they look good to me, they probably look like sh@te to the trained eye. I'm so worried I'll look bad at work, and a loan for a proper wardrobe is not ideal atm...
TT

Don't worry about it. You'll have money for good clothes soon enough, and you'll appreciate them more once you have them. If that means six months of bad suits and great work, you'll be quite alright. As James Brown said – you got to use what you got to get what you want. And I admit, people look at how you look in any field. But how you look has a lot more to do with how you carry yourself than with what you're wearing. So, don't buy a second pair of Zara shoes, or more suits from there. But wear the ones you have with pride.

I've never been to London, so I can't speak to that issue, but I can say that cheap shoes that you take good care of will serve better than neglected good shoes.

 

[hi123]

Thanks YRR. Those are some words to live by

How much should one expect to splash out on a pair of black dress shoes that look absolutely class while not being too expensive?

Or does such a thing not exist? e.g. 300 shoes will look 300, 1200 shoes will look 1200 no matter what.

I would so appreciate if you could recommend a specific shoe. I'll take your word and make it my next pair
It doesn't matter how much, forget I'm poor, I'll save until I can get them.

 

[yanagi]



Thanks YRR. Those are some words to live by

How much should one expect to splash out on a pair of black dress shoes that look absolutely class while not being too expensive?

Or does such a thing not exist? e.g. 300 shoes will look 300, 1200 shoes will look 1200 no matter what.

I would so appreciate if you could recommend a specific shoe. I'll take your word and make it my next pair
It doesn't matter how much, forget I'm poor, I'll save until I can get them.

http://www.loake.co.uk/byrange/loake-1880/aldwych.html

I don't own a pair of Loake 1880s myself; I've only heard that they are comparable to Allen Edmonds, whose offerings mark the entry level of high quality footwear. Note that entry level in this case does not mean bad; past these brands, marginal improvements in quality rapidly diminish with price (though if you get addicted to high quality shoes, they may be worth it ).

 

[YRR92]

Thanks YRR. Those are some words to live by

How much should one expect to splash out on a pair of black dress shoes that look absolutely class while not being too expensive?

Or does such a thing not exist? e.g. 300 shoes will look 300, 1200 shoes will look 1200 no matter what.

I would so appreciate if you could recommend a specific shoe. I'll take your word and make it my next pair
It doesn't matter how much, forget I'm poor, I'll save until I can get them.

Tough to say, and as I don't shop for shoes in London I couldn't tell you how much to pay. I believe I have seen threads on here about a few places in the London area that sell shoes from some of the good English brands (Loake's Shoemaker and 1880 lines, some of the dressier Grenson and Sanders styles, which I have not checked out myself) at pretty good discounts – I think a little searching could find the thread. Giving a specific model wouldn't be too helpful, since the most important thing is that you try it on and make sure it's comfortable. In terms of style, a plain captoe oxford in black is probably a good bet.

 

[hi123]

Lol, I like the way you think Yanagi. I will check them out.

I guess my next pair will be black captoe oxfords from Loake's.

Thanks so much guys.