Versatile shoe appropriate with tuxedo

[Kent Wang]

I need a black shoe for wear with a tux, but want one that can be worn with other outfits, so no patent leather or opera pumps. I imagine something minimal like a plaintoe or captoe would be best. I've also read that wholecut may be preferable to either of those for a tux, but is a wholecut with a medallion appropriate, such as the C&J Weymouth? Do all wholecuts have medallions?

I also posted this in WTB if you have a 8.5 pair to sell me.

 

[Bradford]

Why not wear the Park Avenue's that I got for you?

 

[ramuman]

You should be able to find wholecuts with a plain toe: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=61223 - I don't think Allen Edmonds makes the Westgate anymore though. I'll let others weigh in on if the medallion or a captoe would or wouldn't work. By the way, I just received my pocket square from you today...thanks for the quick turn around and the great square

 

[ramuman]

..

 

[ysc]

Captoes are "wrong" although plenty of people wear them and no one is likely to object to your wearing them. I have been looking for a plaintoed black oxford for just this reason. I think they are probably the best choice - the proper patent lace ups are essentially just patent versions of these. I haven't really looked that hard yet, just browsed a few of the usual sites, haven't had much luck so far.
I don't know about whole cuts, I would think they would be fine, but I should think a medallion would not.

 

[culverwood]

If its a shawl lapel a slim loafer (such as Lobb Ashley or G&G Antibes) well polished in black.

 

[JohnGalt]

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

 

[Bird's One View]

I got black calf plaintoe oxfords for this purpose, although ironically I have yet to wear them with a tuxedo or otherwise.

I have seen wholecuts made with the seam at one side, just like an Oxford seam. Those would work for me. The ones I saw were an Italian brand, maybe Ferragamo. I don't think I would like normal wholecuts (with the seam at the back) as well. In any case, I would not want anything with a medallion.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/produc...electedFitID=0

The punch cap doesn't work with a tuxedo imo...

I'd go with something like this, except without the medallion:

 

[ysc]

^ yeah, but that is proving rather hard to find. If anyone does know of one that doesn't cost the earth I would like to know where I can get it.

 

[kannoos]

Well, the only thing I have been able to find is this. However, that costs £550. It would probably be easier to just get some dedicated evening shoes if you don't think captoes are appropriate, as affordable wholecut calfskin shoes seem to be hard to find, whereas you can get pumps for about £90 from Broadland slippers.

 

[ysc]

Originally Posted by kannoos

Well, the only thing I have been able to find is this. However, that costs £550. It would probably be easier to just get some dedicated evening shoes if you don't think captoes are appropriate, as affordable wholecut calfskin shoes seem to be hard to find, whereas you can get pumps for about £90 from Broadland slippers.

That lodger shoe is actually pretty cool, but costs too much for me at this stage, maybe not for Kent Wang though.

I am pretty much reconciled to getting dedicated evening shoes, I wear black tie frequently enough that it makes sense. I have seen some patent lace ups on sale for not very much, I like the idea of slippers and pumps but they wouldn't be suitable; most of the black tie events I go to involve walking on grass to some extent, which in England usually means wet grass, and I wouldn't feel comfortable in slippers. I also appreciate the protection of a pair of lace ups against stray high heels on the dance floor.

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by kannoos

this.

^ Now that is a sexy shoe.

 

[Kent Wang]

Originally Posted by Bradford

Why not wear the Park Avenue's that I got for you?
Those are brown. I do wear them.

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

^ Now that is a sexy shoe.
Quite. But I'm looking for under $400.

Interestingly the C&J patent that Pediwear has, the Chatham, is actually a captoe, suggesting that this style is quite acceptable.

The closest thing I can find to a plaintoe I can find is the C&J Aintree but this is a blucher so I imagine not as acceptable as a captoe balmoral.

 

[TheFoo]

Would a very refined punch cap really be so bad? That's what I'm doing.