What shoe to buy on AE sale (and use for interview)?

[jesbars]

Hi, I have an interview for graduate school programs on October so it is not the most formal event but I still want to look good and I want to buy something right now from the AE sale. Right now I work in a business casual fintech office: slacks, button shirt and sometimes a blazer. Sometimes on friday dress down with chinos and a polo or a more casual shirt. I am late twenties if it matters

I have what I consider a nice collection of "good dress shoes", please find below:

• Black bit loafers (Ferragamo)
• Brown bit loafers (AE Verona)
• Merlot AE Mcallisters
• Blue AE Neumoks
• Grey AE Park Avenues (just wear thrice in my life, difficult colour)
• AE Mora 2.0 bourbon (love them)
• AE Rush Street Cap toe on distressed olive

For casual wear I have Sperry boat shoes, one pair of chukkas and Dr. Martens

To the office I mostly wear the loafers and the Mora and Rush Street. Sometimes the Mcallisters on the rare occasions I wear a suit. I like to communicate a not so boring style.

So, I see two problems:

1. I do not have a black oxford for those ultra formal events (and I don't think I need to)
2. I do not have bluchers

So please fine gentleman could you help with these difficult decisions?:
What should I buy on the AE sale?
Right now I am shortlisting:

• Fifth Avenue in Dark Brown or Chili(another oxford and I see it as too formal, the cheapest and less favourite of my options)
• Yorktown in Burgundy (blucher, more modern and a colour that I love) http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/dress-shoes/yorktown-cap-toe-derby-shoes/SF1011.html
• Cornwallis on Dark Brown or maybe black (more sleek than the fifth avenue) http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/mens-shoes/dress-shoes/cornwallis-dress-oxfords/SF1052.html

I really do not think I need the black park avenues, less you say so. Thus, two final questions:

• What should I buy?
• What should I wear to my interview? I will wear a mid/dark grey plain suit (not charcoal) with light blue shirt and matching tie.
• I am thinking on the Mcallisters but maybe the broguing is too much and I should wear the yorktowns? Cornwallis?

Thanks so much, appreciate it.

 

[yanagi]

IMO, the merlot McAllister should go nicely with your suit for your interview, so you don't have to buy anything.

 

[BlackYeti]

I'm a big fan of the Routledge (sp?)

 

[powerkicker]

Black Fifth Avenue.

 

[P12OFIT]

I'm not sure if this is even a realistic idea but could you take some black shoe cream and polish to the grey Park Avenues and see how black you can make them? As for your question, I'd vote brown Fifth Ave.

 

[BKBridge]

Are we talking B school interviews? If so I wouldn't rock a full brogue, you're better off with a black bit loafer than burgundy mccalisters.

Either the Cornwallis or Fifth avenue in brown or black, you're missing a more formal suit shoe. The Yorktown is more versatile but you already have some shoes that work on that level of formality.

 

[jesbars]



Are we talking B school interviews? If so I wouldn't rock a full brogue, you're better off with a black bit loafer than burgundy mccalisters.

Either the Cornwallis or Fifth avenue in brown or black, you're missing a more formal suit shoe. The Yorktown is more versatile but you already have some shoes that work on that level of formality. 

Yes, in fact is to B-School. Would you say that the merot mcallister is a no no?

You guys are making me consider buying a Fifth Avenue or Cornelliani.

 

[jonathanS]

Quote:
Cant speak for the question asked, but I can comment on fifth avenue - don't do it... Probably the ugliest shoe on the market north of 300 dollars (although some aldens given them a run for their money). Im not an AE fan, but I have to say, I really like my Rutledge Cap toe shoes - the last they're built on is very nice. Cornwallis last was a modified version of that (imho, they made it worse by shortening it), but if you're looking at the sale shoes only, definitely go Cornwallis over Fifth avenue. Its not really interview appropriate, but I do like the AE Daltons.

 

[yanagi]



Cant speak for the question asked, but I can comment on fifth avenue - don't do it... Probably the ugliest shoe on the market north of 300 dollars (although some aldens given them a run for their money).  Im not an AE fan, but I have to say, I really like my Rutledge Cap toe shoes - the last they're built on is very nice. Cornwallis last was a modified version of that (imho, they made it worse by shortening it), but if you're looking at the sale shoes only, definitely go Cornwallis over Fifth avenue.  Its not really interview appropriate, but I do like the AE Daltons.

Two people have recommended the Rutledge now. I'd like to point out that it was discontinued recently.

If the concern is that the McAllister has too much broguing, Fifth Avenue (punch-cap toe) is more conservative than and should be preferable to the Cornwallis (medallion toe) IMO.

 

[BKBridge]

Two people have recommended the Rutledge now. I'd like to point out that it was discontinued recently.

If the concern is that the McAllister has too much broguing, Fifth Avenue (punch-cap toe) is more conservative than and should be preferable to the Cornwallis (medallion toe) IMO.

The concern from me on the mcallister is the full brogue plus merlot color. i'd want something just a touch more conservative: a full black wingtip is fine, as is a brown strand/cornwallis or even a merlot park/fifth ave.

 

[yanagi]



The concern from me on the mcallister is the full brogue plus merlot color. i'd want something just a touch more conservative: a full black wingtip is fine, as is a brown strand/cornwallis or even a merlot park/fifth ave. 

I agree that a balmoral full brogue is the least conservative balmoral, all else equal. But merlot is a dark red that is more than fine for interviews. We aren't talking about a flashy red like G&G vintage cherry:

 

[jonathanS]

Quote:
Those G&Gs....

I don't like cap toes with a rounded toe, somehow the line of the shoe makes it look stumpy to me. It doesn't look sleek & elegant. For cap toes, imo, go with a chiseled toe.

I see no problem with merlot mccallisters. But, if the OP can swing it, I'd suggest investing over AEs - C&J, Vass, Carmina, are all better than AEs. Its always astounding to me, how there isn't a market for C&Js or Carminas in the US - I'd think a department store providing carminas would do well.

 

[sled1855]

Quote: To be fair, all of those are more expensive than AE, and AE often has sales as well. That, and most people are clueless about quality in shoes.

 

[Shawl Lapel]



Those G&Gs....

I don't like cap toes with a rounded toe, somehow the line of the shoe makes it look stumpy to me. It doesn't look sleek & elegant. For cap toes, imo, go with a chiseled toe.

I see no problem with merlot mccallisters.  But, if the OP can swing it, I'd suggest investing over AEs - C&J, Vass, Carmina, are all better than AEs.  Its always astounding to me, how there isn't a market for C&Js or Carminas in the US - I'd think a department store providing carminas would do well.

I'm all for Carmina and beyond, I've moved on from AE, but I wouldn't call Carminas entry level shoes. They were competitively priced with AE msrp until the price change, and they're still competitive overall imo but without free shipping and returns, it's much more of a gamble to foray into other brands compared to AE.

AE sale means a budget of $175-200 and you're looking at $450+ for Carmina and $700ish for Vass. Not really in the same category regardless of how much better they may be.

 

[makewayhomer]

reality is AE is a ton cheaper on the secondary market as well. I paid like $90 for my barely used Park Avenues and those sort of deals are frequently around on ebay..not so for the other brands