Moderate Priced Dress Shoes

MCanavan6 · Feb 12, 2011

Looking for 2 pairs of dress shoes to wear with suits (blue, charcoal, blue stripe, and gray stripe). I am looking for slip-on shoes in both black and cordovan, with the possibility of a monk strap on either. I'd like to spend $200-$300 maximum on each pair and have been looking at Allen Edmonds, Johnson & Murphy, and Florsheim (obviously a difference in price range). Anyone have any suggestions for other brands to look at for what I'm looking for?

Harold falcon · Feb 12, 2011

E is your best bet in that price range. I would avoid J&M.

If you can save up you might consider Alden or some of the English shoemakers.

You mentioned you wanted a loafer and possibly a monk strap for use with suits. While these can work, they shouldn't be your first dress shoe purchases. Choose a cap toe (like the Park Avenue) and maybe one with some brouging (McClain, Strand) as your first dress shoe choices.

MCanavan6 · Feb 12, 2011

Originally Posted by harvey_birdman

AE is your best bet in that price range. I would avoid J&M.

If you can save up you might consider Alden or some of the English shoemakers.

You mentioned you wanted a loafer and possibly a monk strap for use with suits. While these can work, they shouldn't be your first dress shoe purchases. Choose a cap toe (like the Park Avenue) and maybe one with some brouging (McClain, Strand) as your first dress shoe choices.
I already have black oxfords, one plaintoe and one captoe. I'm looking for something different.

Harold falcon · Feb 12, 2011

Originally Posted by MCanavan6

I already have black oxfords, one plaintoe and one captoe. I'm looking for something different.

Ah, then the loafer and monkstraps are fine. Definitely consider burgundy, or a brown.

MCanavan6 · Feb 15, 2011

Any other opinions?

Shirtmaven · Feb 15, 2011

the shoes from Charles Trywitt are decent at that price point

cromulated · Feb 15, 2011

try the Barker Professional series: Goodyear welted, made at their Earls Barton factory. Loake offers a few British made, Goodyear welted models in the GBP150-170 range as well.

classicusa · Feb 15, 2011

If you can be patient, you can usually find BB/Alden tassel loafers for sub $300 during the semi-annual BB sale. With Alden price hike coming, they will be a tad above $300, but maybe close enough...

They had the tassel loafers at 40% off in Dec, or $238.xx. Nice deal. Still don't have them, but that is another thread.

ktrp · Feb 15, 2011

The lower end U.K. makers can be had in that range, higher end Loake's, lower end Barkers. Check out Herring shoes, including the herring branded stuff made by others, just watch out for corrected leather.

AE is good quality for the price point, going U.K. makers in that range is not going to buy you a better shoe, just a different one, perhaps one that you find more appealing.

Rush · Feb 15, 2011

Originally Posted by ktrp

The lower end U.K. makers can be had in that range, higher end Loake's, lower end Barkers. Check out Herring shoes, including the herring branded stuff made by others, just watch out for corrected leather.

AE is good quality for the price point, going U.K. makers in that range is not going to buy you a better shoe, just a different one, perhaps one that you find more appealing.

I second the Herring recommendation. Their Premier range has some beautiful shoes.

otc · Feb 16, 2011

What is the deal with these barker shoes...a lot of them seem like pretty good deals (especially ex. vat)

Can I assume that hi-shine black is corrected?

cromulated · Feb 16, 2011

^ yes, so I've been told (courtesy of a the small questions thread). have recently picked up a pair of barker flynns myself in black calf; they're quite good for the price, and i'd certainly rate them on par with AE...can't speak for the cheaper cemented sole models though.

otc · Feb 16, 2011

Originally Posted by cromulated

^ yes, so I've been told (courtesy of a the small questions thread). have recently picked up a pair of barker flynns myself in black calf; they're quite good for the price, and i'd certainly rate them on par with AE...can't speak for the cheaper cemented sole models though.

What ranges are welted? I don't really want glue-jobs or corrected grain but otherwise I am interested in seeing what they have to offer.

cromulated · Feb 16, 2011

Originally Posted by otc

What ranges are welted? I don't really want glue-jobs or corrected grain but otherwise I am interested in seeing what they have to offer.

your best bet would be the barker website's product search function, which has an available "goodyear welted" search option...

DStew · Feb 16, 2011

Originally Posted by MCanavan6

Any other opinions?

In that range there is a lot of good stuff. Loake, Barker, AE, Alden seconds, AS

Soem are closer to 300 but still.

Moderate Priced Dress Shoes

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Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

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