Thoughts on these shoes

[tonylumpkin]

Are these shoes to casual to wear with a suit? Specifically a charcoal suit. Come to think of it...thoughts on these shoes in general.

 

[grimslade]

For my taste, too casual with a suit.

 

[muskypicker]

Why are these shoes too informal for a suit? Is there a general standard for which dress shoes are formal enought for a suit?

 

[grimslade]

Good question, musky. Welcome to SF!

They're bluchers, meaning they have open quarters (where the laces are), which is less formal than a balmoral, with closed quarters. For some (including me most, but not all, of the time), this alone would disqualify them from suit-wear. Then they are apron-fronted and split-toed, which are also each less formal than, say, a straight cap toe style. Finally, they are rubber-soled.

I will sometimes weare a plain-toe blucher with a suit, and even on occasion a pair of AE Kingsleys, which are split-toe, apron-front shoes. But they're leather-soled and in a slightly more formal style (they don't have the contrast stitching, etc. Some might consider the Kingsleys too casual too, I guess.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are signs and indicators, but it's also just somehow the totality of the impression the shoe makes.

That was helpful, no?

 

[Cantabrigian]

Grimslade makes some good points that you should be aware of.

I could see wearing something like that w/ a suit on occasion. They're nice looking shoes and could work with the right type of suit in a situation.

Normally though, I wear leather soled laceups w/ suits.

 

[Connemara]

Personally, I would not do it.

 

[CitizenK]

Beg to differ gentlemen, those shoes would look fine with a suit.

I don't buy the blucher/bal argument. What if you have high arches and cannot find a pair of bals that fit and are comfortable (like me)?

I work in an environment where many of the men wear suits or at least a sportsjacket and tie. For the most part, they look quasi-presentable, until you look down. The cheap pieces of **** I see them wearing on there feet are just shocking. By comparison, those shoes look quite nice!

Further, danite or vibram soles are great for those inclement weather days that are just around the corner (at least here in the DC/No. VA area). It is no fun walking through the rain in your leather soled shoes and getting your feet wet from the bottom up (yes, I've had that happen too).

Wear them in good health, Tonylumpkin!

 

[muskypicker]

Are slipons considered okay to wear with suits?

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by muskypicker

Are slipons considered okay to wear with suits?

Traditionally, slip ons are "casuals." But practically speaking, people do it all the time, and some people do it exclusively.

 

[satorstyle]

They are perfectly acceptable with a sport coat and slacks.

 

[tonylumpkin]

Thank you all for your input. And especially to you, Grimslade for the detailed explaination. I appreciate the Balmoral/Blucher arguement but CitizenK gets right to the heart of the matter for me. Bals simply are not comfortable on my feet because of my high arches. The reason these shoes appeal to me (aside from my love of the shorter apron and longer split toe) is that the quarters don't seem to intrude as far onto the vamp as other shoes I've considered. By the way Grimslade the contrasting stitching is a product of my outdated camera, it doesn't actually exist.

 

[modmica]

I have a pair of shoes very similar to those that I like very much and wear often, but not with suits. They go great with cords, or slacks and sport coat. I agree with grimslade that those have a combination of 3 or 4 features that when taken all together just don't seem to me to work with a suit.