Brooks Brothers' "Lightweight" Oxfords, Yay or Nay?

rilian · Sep 10, 2008

Just found these Brooks Brothers "Lightweight Leather Straight Captoe Bal" dress shoes. I quite like the look (slim profile, elongated form), but unsure of Brooks Brothers quality to value ratio for shoes. What do you guys think?

http://tinyurl.com/57xuqt I also really like the look of To Boot's Bradbury Oxford: http://www.endless.com/dp/B001BFLZUM/ref=uwl But from what folks are saying in the forums, To Boot's quality is hit or miss. They're $375.95, is that overpriced? Thanks in advanced for the help.

rilian · Sep 11, 2008

No responses yet, so I'm assuming that's a "nay"!

bigbjorn · Sep 11, 2008

I like them, but not twice as much as AEs. For $468, I'd pass.

rilian · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by bigbjorn

I like them, but not twice as much as AEs. For $468, I'd pass.

You're right they are a bit steep. However, the shoes on Allen Edmonds don't quite have as sleek a look as the Brook Brothers Lightweights.

I'm having a hard time finding sleek dress shoes that can be worn with dress pants or jeans. Zappos was no help. I've never bought a pair of dress shoes before, so perhaps I haven't been looking in the right online stores.

bigbjorn · Sep 11, 2008

I don't think black balmorals are the right dress shoes for jeans, for one thing. I'd look at burgundy or brown shoes, and possibly bluchers for that purpose.

I haven't seen these in person, but from pics they appear to be only marginally sleeker than PAs. Allen Edmonds's photography does not do their shoes any favors, and I find the PAs to be dull, but still of a reasonably slim last. (Then again, I like Aldens so take that for what it's worth.)

In any case, I think you'd be better served with a pair of PAs and a pair of brown bluchers than a single pair of shoes for $468 if you're buying your first pair of dress shoes.

Hope that helps.

mikeber · Sep 11, 2008

Both brands offer decent quality. If you like them, go for it. They look sleek, elegant and probably lighter on the feet then some AE. With that in mind, the soles are thinner and probably not as durable. But don't expect too much for $300- 400 shoes. Assortment of models in this price range that are at the same time elegant, sleek, well made and durable is limited (as you probably found).

DocHolliday · Sep 11, 2008

Those soles look incredibly thin, and I wonder if they aren't glued on. I'd go with one of Martegani's standard-sole, blake rapid models first.

rilian · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Those soles look incredibly thin, and I wonder if they aren't glued on. I'd go with one of Martegani's standard-sole, blake rapid models first.

Thanks for the Martegani recommendations. Sorry to be naive, but what does "blake rapid" mean?

DocHolliday · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by rilian

Thanks for the Martegani recommendations. Sorry to be naive, but what does "blake rapid" mean?

It's a method of stitching a sole to the upper. The stitching makes it superior to glued-on soles, and, unlike gluejobs, blake rapid shoes can be resoled.

smoothie · Sep 11, 2008

Don't ever pay retail

You can get literally 10 shoes for the price of that BB lightweight oxford.

jhcam8 · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by rilian

Just found these Brooks Brothers "Lightweight Leather Straight Captoe Bal" dress shoes. I quite like the look (slim profile, elongated form), but unsure of Brooks Brothers quality to value ratio for shoes. What do you guys think?

They're $375.95, is that overpriced?

Thanks in advanced for the help.

Wait for the sale - 25% off. BB has a great return policy, also.

rilian · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by smoothie

Don't ever pay retail

You can get literally 10 shoes for the price of that BB lightweight oxford.

Hmm... Since the BB lightweights are $468, you mean there are $46 shoes available that are decent? I haven't come across anything decent less than $300. Maybe I'm not lookin in the right places.

Leaveitothexperts · Sep 11, 2008

For the asking prices . . . . I personally think you can do much better . . . . don't buy any of those

NoVaguy · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Those soles look incredibly thin, and I wonder if they aren't glued on. I'd go with one of Martegani's standard-sole, blake rapid models first.

My first impression was that these were cemented shoes as well.

marc237 · Sep 11, 2008

Originally Posted by rilian

Hmm... Since the BB lightweights are $468, you mean there are $46 shoes available that are decent? I haven't come across anything decent less than $300. Maybe I'm not lookin in the right places.

Probably a bit of hyperbole. However, one could find BB Peals, AEs, Marteganis, and other nicer shoes for 1/2 the price of those oxfords.

Brooks Brothers' "Lightweight" Oxfords, Yay or Nay?

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