Which shoes with classic POW check suit?

[babygreenspots]

What type of shoes, color and style, go best with a classic Prince of Wales Check suit?

 

[LabelKing]

A crocodile laceup.

 

[babygreenspots]

You must have said that because of my name. Can't you tell that I'm a rabid crocodile/alligator rights activist? I've idolized these beasts since I was a small boy. But maybe this means it would be all the more appropriate for me to wear the shoes.

 

[yfyf]

It's a grey PoW? I would go for simple woody brown captoe laceups.

Is there a hidden subtext to the question? I don't think I'd make any special provisions for it being PoW.

 

[John Ellis]

Three options:
1. Black calf, cap toe brogue (the black wingtip is alternative but not quite as good)
2. Dark brown, cap toe suede brogue
3. Dark chestnut brown, calf wingtip

The choc brown alligators mentioned above would work but are beyond most peoples means and would only be fourth choice anyway.

 

[khaki sack]

Half brogues made of, turtles of the sea.

 

[gdl203]

Black calf for business meetings, brown suede for less business formal occasions

 

[Sator]

1. Brown Derbies eg Edward Green Dovers
2. Brown suede full brogue Oxfords
3. Brown Tricker's country styled Derby boots
4. Brown monk straps
5. Brown suede Chukka boots

What not to wear: anything dressy. NO black captoe or punch cap Oxfords for example. Even semi-brogue Oxfords are too dressy. After all a POW check lounge suit is purely casual wear and hopelessly unsuitable for anything else.

 

[John Ellis]

Originally Posted by Sator

1. Brown Derbies eg Edward Green Dovers
2. Brown suede full brogue Oxfords
3. Brown Tricker's country styled Derby boots
4. Brown monk straps
5. Brown suede Chukka boots

What not to wear: anything dressy. NO black captoe or punch cap Oxfords for example. Even semi-brogue Oxfords are too dressy. After all a POW check lounge suit is purely casual wear and hopelessly unsuitable for anything else.

A POW check suit "is purely casual wear.... and hopelessly unsuitable for anything else." With due respect that might have been true in 1927 but as a quick eyeball of pedestrians in Manhattan will demonstrate it is total nonsense in 2008. In fact the Pow check is a popular business choice for spring, summer and fall. In a business enviroment the shoes to wear are either a black cap toe brogue or dark brown wingtip brogue, if you're in the arts business you could also get away with the choc brown suede toe cap or some of the suggestions you make but it's pushing it.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by John Ellis

With due respect that might have been true in 1927
Welcome to Sator's world. You'll get used to it. We all do

 

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Welcome to Sator's world. You'll get used to it. We all do

 

[John Ellis]

Well you learn something every day I guess.

 

[rnoldh]

Originally Posted by khaki sack

Half brogues made of, turtles of the sea.

Half brogues made of chickens of the sea would work too.

Some say they have an objectionable odor though.

 

[Vintage Gent]

I think a POW check suit is generally light enough to be worn with tan shoes as well. The old Polo Tellman is a good example.

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by John Ellis

With due respect that might have been true in 1927 but as a quick eyeball of pedestrians in Manhattan will demonstrate it is total nonsense in 2008. In fact the Pow check is a popular business choice for spring, summer and fall.

These are all true - of America. What you describe is an out and out Americanism

. Those more knowledgeable than I might care to say if it could even be called Trad. However, you won't see that look in London or other major cities of former British colonies whether that be Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland. In fact, within living memory the same once held true for America too. I really don't know what happened to that.

As for me, I like POW check lounge suits. I like them as casual wear. I love the idea of a casual suit. That's why you see actors like Cary Grant wearing POW checked lounges. It's a way of saying "I'm at play - not at work". It was meant to be an "idle rich" sort of look and style.

Even today, a POW check "just works" when worn with those items which rightfully belong to its heritage - casual suede shoes and Derbies all are in their natural habitat here.

In any case I doubt I shall convince the Americans here to spell "color" as "colour". So what use is there trying to change you guys?