Good "value" dress shoe?

thexfactor · Apr 14, 2011

I was wondering what is a good "value" dress shoe? 100$ or so?
I am going to work for an investment bank this summer. This is my first "formal" suit type job.

Thanks

pgd3 · Apr 15, 2011

Originally Posted by thexfactor

I was wondering what is a good "value" dress shoe? 100$ or so?
I am going to work for an investment bank this summer. This is my first "formal" suit type job.

Thanks

Gently used ok?

Otherwise Cole Haan aren't too far off that on sale.

thexfactor · Apr 15, 2011

How many shoes do you think I should have? Is 50-100 a good price range to start at?
I am thinking about getting a monk style dress shoe. What do you guys think

Also, how many suits should I own?
I dont know how i got my job.. I interviewed with a really ****** black suit.

Sorry for having so many questions.

Navi · Apr 15, 2011

Originally Posted by thexfactor

How many shoes do you think I should have? Is 50-100 a good price range to start at?
I am thinking about getting a monk style dress shoe. What do you guys think

Also, how many suits should I own?
I dont know how i got my job.. I interviewed with a really ****** black suit.

Sorry for having so many questions.

To start you should only be worried about getting a pair of black oxfords and a pair of brown oxfords. Worry about monks and others later.

With suits it's really up to you, but ideally a navy, charcoal, and then a 3rd which can be whatever you like. Light grey, plaid, pinstripes, whatever.

ajmanouk · Apr 15, 2011

Originally Posted by Navi

To start you should only be worried about getting a pair of black oxfords and a pair of brown oxfords. Worry about monks and others later.

With suits it's really up to you, but ideally a navy, charcoal, and then a 3rd which can be whatever you like. Light grey, plaid, pinstripes, whatever.

+1

Black oxfords,
Brown oxfords,
Solid navy suit,
Solid charcoal suit,
handful of white/blue shirts
handful of business appropriate ties...

good to go.

pvrhye · Apr 15, 2011

If you like cheap, better learn to wear bucks.

gandhi · Apr 15, 2011

Originally Posted by ajmanouk

+1

Black oxfords,
Brown oxfords,
Solid navy suit,
Solid charcoal suit,
handful of white/blue shirts
handful of business appropriate ties...

good to go.

This is the best advice. If you can't afford good shoes (ie Allen Edmonds) then you should get as cheap as possible and put the savings towards buying quality once your paychecks come rolling in.

Dockers Gordon is a decent, comfortable value shoe. Got my pair from Sears for $40 to be a backup to my AE Park Avenues. Read the reviews at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Dockers-Mens-G.../dp/B002OHE3DC

polarcreamsoda · Apr 15, 2011

finding a pair of cole haans for less than 100 is fairly easy. i would def go for those if i were you.

makewayhomer · Apr 15, 2011

I bought a pair of barely worn ae park avenues for $75

Do that

JRB · Apr 15, 2011

Get some AEs from eBay. Easy for sub $100.

Percy Blakeney · Apr 15, 2011

Originally Posted by JRB

Get some AEs from eBay. Easy for sub $100.

Piggy-backing a question here, since it applies to the OP as well (I imagine):

Is there a good way to gauge one's shoe size (with relative accuracy) before making a purchase online?

Aside from going to a local store and trying on the shoes, of course. I know that is the only way to be certain, but I feel a bit odd about doing that for two reasons: first, trying on clothing with no intention of making a purchase there seems a bit awkward. Second, (and this may be a bit foolish) I don't really have anything to wear to go to a nice store to try on nice clothing. I'd feel like a complete slob walking into a store that sells nice clothing...and this fact only magnifies the first issue I mentioned.

TACO_FLAVORED_KISSES · Apr 15, 2011

Op--

You've been a member since Feb and you're really asking this question?

retozimmermann · Apr 15, 2011

Hi

In my opinion good value in a shoe means something which

is comfortable
is made of good quality materials
is well constructed and can last a long time
has a classic design and can therefore be worn for many years without ever looking bad, and which
has a good price-(overall) quality-ratio

You will find that if you're getting into the area of good shoes, you have to pay from about 250 to 300 USD upwards. Everything below that usually fails in one or all points above. If you're working in IB then you should dress well (actually, everybody should try to dress well irrespective of their profession - just makes people nicer to look at).

I would therefore invest a little bit more than what you ask and is also suggested above. There are many companies that make very nice shoes in the range from 300 to 500 USD with which you can be happy for decades.

Compromising on ones shoes is seldom (if ever) a good idea.

Cheers
Reto

Master-Classter · Apr 15, 2011

Florsheim's aren't terrible for about the $100.

as for suits, I'd say wait until you get to the job. Most jobs these days rarely require them so don't waste money on what you might need when you can spend it on what you will need (shoes).

danskidoo · Apr 15, 2011

If you're going to get AE I suggest trying them on and knowing what size you wear in that model then go shopping on ebay or on the B&S. Zappos has AE and free shipping both ways. As long as you don't wear the shoes outside you can return them with no hassle. I went to a local shoe store and tried on lots of shoes and ended up fitting best in a size 8 park avenue but I measured 8.5. You might think about finding a very used pair of shoes cheap and having them reconditioned.

Good "value" dress shoe?

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