Useful, Ugly Summer Shoes

[musososeki]

Hi everyone,

I need some help finding a durable, comfortable pair of summer shoes. As to whether they should be fashionable: I dress like a rich hobo -- fitted terry cloth jackets; flowing, baggy jewel-tone silk tunics; baggy, pleated, high waisted pants in cottons and silks, frayed shantung cravattes with wing collared shirts, earthy linens -- yet my color tone is very muted, for the most part. Normally, I wear alligators loafers or patent oxfords, but this summer I'll be walking extensively along the Great Wall, and I need a more practical shoe suggestion. Something consistent with the rest of what I wear. I do not want to A: look trendy, or B: look cheap, so boat shoes and Crocs are out. Maybe mules of some kind? Any ideas?

Last condition -- I don't wear black, as a rule, but for the right shoe, I'd make an exception.

Thanks! I know this is a challenging request, and easy to make fun of, but I'd appreciate any help!

I'll pay up to $500 for the perfect shoe, but less would be nice

 

[dasai]

Boat shoes are trendy? I've worn them in summer all my life. (But then again, I grew up near a large body of water in the Northeast U.S., so your mileage may vary.)

 

[Patek]

It is really hard to tell if you are serious or not.

Troll?

Spam?

 

[musososeki]

Yeah, schmuck, I'm trolling.

I put myself out there, tell you how I dress, at the risk of embarrassment, no less, ask for advice from a well-regarded style forum, and this is your considered response?

 

[LanceW]

How about Alden for Brooks Brothers cordovan unlined penny loafer in burgundy?

 

[musososeki]

Do they hold up with extensive walking? In the rain? Should I get them resoled first?

Thanks for taking me seriously, by the way

 

[was385]

how much walking are you going to be doing per day? If it's substantial I'd be looking for a boot with some ankle support instead of crocs, boat shoes, loafers. Maybe something from Red Wing or Alden if you want to go higher price range.

 

[westinghouse]

..............................

 

[JohnnyLaw]

It sounds like you need jodhpur boots.

 

[Patek]

Originally Posted by musososeki

Yeah, schmuck, I'm trolling.

I put myself out there, tell you how I dress, at the risk of embarrassment, no less, ask for advice from a well-regarded style forum, and this is your considered response?

Woah, easy now. You had 1 post. Do you know how many trolls and spammers come on here daily. Relax.

I would look into the RL Dalton penny loafers.

 

[Lightbringer]

Good lord

 

[musososeki]

This won't help my cause, I guess, but I won't buy RL because I find his self-hating Jewish fantasy of WASPy elegance distasteful. Something European instead, how about; slightly less fraught.

 

[musososeki]

Someone else said that! Aren't they sort of a pain **********, though? They're very handsome, I'll admit.

 

[Kalin]

Nothing wrong with ugly shoes if a person is doing a lot of walking.

I'm one of those people who prefer shoes that are somewhat anatomically correct, like the vibram fivefinger komodo sports. If you wouldn't be caught dead in them, maybe look at the Teva Zilch, New Balance Minimus Life, Merrell Barefoot Trail Glove, or a shoe from Vivobarefoot.

 

[pvrhye]

What you'd described is in a vocabulary I don't fully understand. Got a picture of this look. I'm when you say jeweltone silk tunics I'm imagining Disco Spartacus.