Stepping shoe game for a clumsy guy

[Five elements]

Hi,

As I hurtle towards 40 it doesn’t feel right to be dressed sloppy, especially at work. I’ve starting buying better quality classic pieces but shoes are a problem.

I am clumsy, I always have been. I kick kerbs, doors etc. and the cheaper shoes I have always worn will get scrapes and scratches at the front from this.

I don’t want to start spending more money on better shoes if this so still going to happen.

So my question is, will better quality shoes endure this carelessness? Is the leather more durable and can it be repaired if I scratch it?

Or should I just keep buying cheaper shoes?

 

[Ebitdaddy]

They'll definitely get scuffed pretty easily. I'm not really that impressed with my Ferragamos VS the value oriented brands like Allen Edmonds that I got to check out recently. Maybe there's a bigger difference with Lobb or Edwards though but I can't speak to that.

Feel you on the clumsy thing too...lol

 

[johng70]

So, quality leather that has a good polish will take scuffs better. You still need to take the time to clean them up (brushing, buffing and polishing). So, if you won't want to put in the time, your high quality shoes will still end up looking bad. Now, if you're not just scuffing the leather but actually scraping it (small tears in the leather) then that can still happen. I have a nice gouge in an otherwise very nice pair of White's boots that are about 5 years old now - I put that gouge in about 2 months after I bought them but that's the worst I've done to any of my shoes. So, it all comes down to how much damage you're doing to your shoes and whether you are willing to take the time to polish, brush, buff the shoes.

 

[johnnymiz]

@Ebitdaddy, i think he is like most people in America... Allen Edmonds IS the step up he's talking about, not ferragamo and lobb. ;-)

@Five elements, get a pair of nice shoes like some allen edmonds macneil longwings, or some aldens, or maybe even some grant stones.. make sure they are a style that has a 360* goodyear welt with a reverse/storm welt so they have the big clunky looking sole that sticks out from the shoe.
that clunky sole will be your bumper and help you not nick the leather and it looks old school cool.
one thing i've come to realize... when you have more dollars invested down there, you pay more attention to where you put your feet and you scuff less.
im including a pic of some nice alden shell cordovan boots to illustrate the 360* welt sole im going on about.
several things about good shoes...
1. if you take care of them and dont cut the leather, they will last 10-20 years.
2. good, well shined shoes can make a pair of jeans and a blazer look classy, but cheap shoes will make a $2000 suit look like ****.

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[tcbinnc]

@Ebitdaddy, i think he is like most people in America... Allen Edmonds IS the step up he's talking about, not ferragamo and lobb. ;-)

@Five elements, get a pair of nice shoes like some allen edmonds macneil longwings, or some aldens, or maybe even some grant stones.. make sure they are a style that has a 360* goodyear welt with a reverse/storm welt so they have the big clunky looking sole that sticks out from the shoe.
that clunky sole will be your bumper and help you not nick the leather and it looks old school cool.
one thing i've come to realize... when you have more dollars invested down there, you pay more attention to where you put your feet and you scuff less.
im including a pic of some nice alden shell cordovan boots to illustrate the 360* welt sole im going on about.
several things about good shoes...
1. if you take care of them and dont cut the leather, they will last 10-20 years.
2. good, well shined shoes can make a pair of jeans and a blazer look classy, but cheap shoes will make a $2000 suit look like ****.

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Good idea on the "bumper" aspect. And peraps a full-brogue toe, as with the MacNeil you mention, would do best at masking any scars or scratches?