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What to wear with cordovan

Stu

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I love cordovan leather shoes. But they aren't always that easy for me to pair with things, because I find the double soles of most of Alden's cordovan models make the shoes bulkier and less elegant. In particular, These shoes are a nice deal, but being plain toed, I think they would be a bit more difficult to match than say a pair of Norweigan bluchers or penny loafers. Any ideas?
 

zjpj83

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The ones that you link are definitely more casual.
 

Tom

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I disagree, plain toe oxfords can be dressy as you like. I think that those shoes are sweet. Wear them with anything from jeans to charcoal suit.

-Tom
 

Horace

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I disagree, plain toe oxfords can be dressy as you like.  I think that those shoes are sweet.  Wear them with anything from jeans to charcoal suit.

-Tom
I think with a nice mid-grey, or Cambridge grey flannel trouser would look smashing.
 

Stu

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It's not so much the color of cordovan I find hard to match -- that is simple -- it's more the plain toe style. Plain toe looks good with suits, because it is formal. But a plain toe with a double sole doesn't look formal to me because it is so bulky. that's the problem. If I have a bulkier shoe like that, I prefer it have some extra bells and whistles, i.e. saddle shoes or the split toe of a Norweigan.
 

mcarthur

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You should look at the alden fan shoes on the website of aldens of carmel (www.alden-of-carmel.com). I believe the following styles would wet your appetite (norwegian front square toe blucher oxford,chukka boot and high lace boots).
 

Horace

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It's not so much the color of cordovan I find hard to match -- that is simple -- it's more the plain toe style. Plain toe looks good with suits, because it is formal. But a plain toe with a double sole doesn't look formal to me because it is so bulky. that's the problem. If I have a bulkier shoe like that, I prefer it have some extra bells and whistles, i.e. saddle shoes or the split toe of a Norweigan.
Again, I'd say a flannel trouser. It's commonplace, I thought, to see a plain toe shoe with a flannel trouser. At least in New England.
 

T4phage

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It's not so much the color of cordovan I find hard to match -- that is simple -- it's more the plain toe style. Plain toe looks good with suits, because it is formal. But a plain toe with a double sole doesn't look formal to me because it is so bulky. that's the problem. If I have a bulkier shoe like that, I prefer it have some extra bells and whistles, i.e. saddle shoes or the split toe of a Norweigan.
That colour would work well with tweeds, especially the brownish/olive variety
 

Kai

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I own those very shoes.

I find them very versatile.

Even though they have a double sole, I find that the plain toe makes them seem a bit sleeker than a brogued version.

I wear mine regularly with a navy blue suit. The suit in question is a Canali 3 button model, so it is a proper, formal suit, not a rustic suit. I really like the combination.

I also wear them often with less formal clothes. They look particularly good with grey flannel.

In short, for wear with grey or navy, these shoes are quite handsome, and can go from a more formal suit to casual quite easily. For this reason, these Aldens are one of my preferred travel shoes. When I'm packing light, it's nice to have a shoe that will fulfill a formal and informal function.

Kai
 

Giona Granata

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Tweed plus Grey Flannel trousers is classical for that shoes.

I see them also with a navy blazer plus flannel trousers, or a navy blue suit.
 

STYLESTUDENT

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I've had these shoes in the past (the Brooks version, with the steel eyelets-$100 more retail) and I always considered them to be weighty shoes for heavier weight fabrics (flannel, tweed, cavalry twill, corduroy). Formality is not an issue-they can be worn with cords and a sportshirt as easily as with a suit. I'd suggest that you avoid very tapered slacks-I think these shoes need a trouser with a larger leg opening and cuffs. My issue is seasonal versatility-I can't see these shoes with a lightweight fabric.
 

mcarthur

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Except for sneakers, golf shoes and boat shoes all of my shoes are cordovans. I am older than most of the members of this forum and I recommend wearing your burgundy or black shell cordovan shoes with practically all of your casual attire or business attire.
 

Trojanman74

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im bringing this one back from the dead because im wondering if anyone has any updated ideas on what to wear with cordovan
 

lee_44106

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Are you talking shell cordovan shoes or the cordovan color (aka burgundy)?

I wear shell cordovan shoes with everything, from the very casual to the formal suit. Everything except tuxedo. but if I can commision a black slipper in cordovan I'd wear it with a tuxedo.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by lee_44106
I wear shell cordovan shoes with everything, from the very casual to the formal suit.

Same here. I have shell in several styles and colors and wear them with mostly everything.
 

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