Dress Shoe Thread

I wouldn't say a no go - it depends on the overall look. I don't think the Cole Haan sneakers would look great with anything like slacks, but some broken in chinos or jeans could work (this is less about color and more about matching styles). They are a little lighter in color than I would personally go for with black pants as closer colors will create a more cohesive outfit, but style is hugely personal, so you may love the combo.

 

Ok. I found a bunch of shoes at their site I want... I'll have to figure out which ones to get.

 

Narrowed it down to these. Not sure which ones to get.
http://www.colehaan.com/mens-grand-...ed&dwvar_C26521_width=#cgid=sale_mens&start=1
http://www.colehaan.com/mens-grand-...26962_color=Black Leather&dwvar_C26962_width=
http://www.colehaan.com/mens-nantuc...25192_color=Acorn Leather&dwvar_C25192_width=
http://www.colehaan.com/jefferson-g..._C23784_color=British Tan&dwvar_C23784_width=

 

I don't think brown leather shoes look very good with black pants. Maybe with black denim, but I don't really like wearing black pants all that much anyway.

If you want my opinion on the shoes I would say go for 1 or 2 on your list. If you like 3 I would just get some more classic looking boat shoes like sperry topsiders. I really don't like the hybrid dress shoe with a casual rubber sole like 4 (especially not a chunky black sole). If you want a dressy style leather shoe for a more casual look I would try something with a natural leather colored welt an brown leather. In your price range you may be able to find something in the Allen Edmonds factory seconds. Maybe something like this with open laces and natural leather.

My advice is to base your choice on the types of top you are wearing. My rule of thumb is a t-shirt or hoodie is going to look better with a sneaker and a sweater or a button-down will look better with a dressier shoe.

 

The Jefferson Oxford all day, every day, much classier, will elevate your style game.

f**k the leather sneakers.

 

I am worried they are too classy for an every day shoe...

I usually wear button down plaid or similar shirts, short sleeve. I don't own a hoodie. I have a nice leather jacket and a nice London fog wool jacket.

 

In that case I wouldn't go for leather sneakers.

Here is what I would recommend.
http://www.allenedmonds.com/factory...html?dwvar_SF4031S_color=4031S#sz=18&start=37

Chromexcel is a beautiful leather and the Danite sole will take a pretty good beating. The natural leather color will be perfect if you wear a lot of denim, navy, or brown. If you have a lot of lighter khaki colored pants then you can go for a darker color.

If you haven't worn dress shoes before I would recommend you find somewhere to try them on and get your size. I am usually a full size smaller in dress shoes vs sneakers.

 

A bit more than I wanted to spend, but not bad. I wear dark khakis, like brown, grey, sometimes burgundy. I don't own any denim.

 

I agree that leather sneakers don't really get the job done. In that price range though, I personally would rather buy an Allen Edmonds factory second from the Shoe Bank (link) than buy a lower tier AE offering. Some of the lower end models are made in the Dominican Republic now, rather than the US. I bought a pair of Park Avenues from the Shoe Bank some years back and they've served me well. I think I paid $199, which is something like half of retail. And the blemishes are incredibly minor, you'd never know they are B-stock.

In general though, it might be harder for @spwath to find an AE retailer where he can try shoes on. With Cole Haan, any decently sized mall should have at least one store that carries the styles above. And I agree with @Kunlun. Of the styles listed, the Jeffersons are by far the most versatile. A brown oxford will go well with 99% of pants, so long as they aren't black. So a formal black dress shoe would be a good addition down the road.

PS - Take a peek at a pair of brown Chelsea boots. See how you like them. They are slightly more casual, but equally as versatile.

 

Certainly there are rules. Or there were in your great grandfather's time...

 

Honestly, as a first year college student, likely to be walking around a lot, focus on comfort. I like the suggestions that have popped up when it comes to style, but dressy, leather-soled shoes really don't seem like the answer if you are going to be walking a lot wearing casual, comfortable clothes.

Context is key to dressing well. If we are to really help as a group, we need to back up a bit and really understand your habits, preferences, needs, and expectations. Body type, the look you are going for, the functions you need, etc all inform the decisions to be made about fabrics, cuts, colors, etc. Not sure if this is the most useful forum if you really want to get into it, but certainly we are happy to dress you by committee

 

Ok, here is some descriptions.

I wear khakis, usually brown, grey, burgundy. I don't own any jeans or anything else.
I usually wear button down short sleeve shirts, but I'm getting more long sleeve. They are usually plaid or some other pattern. I just got a nice long sleeve floral/Paisley shirt.
I am 5'11", 210lb, so not skinny, but I'm working towards it (since I started 3 weeks ago I have lost 6lbs).
I have somewhat longer, but not long, brown curly hair.

That's about it.

 

Sounds to me like you are probably dressing less casuaI than your classmates. I think your look would be well suited to a pair of casual style dress shoes. I wouldn't go for a black oxford, but a lighter colored leather or suede blucher/derby will never look out of place with button downs and khaki's.

Another option to consider are leather boots. They are a little more casual looking but can be dressed up as well. I am thinking something like Alden Indy boots or some of the dressier Red Wings. They are obviously out of your budget, but I think that style is well suited to a casual college campus. It will at least give you an idea of the look you are after.

I agree with Fraggler that comfort is the most important thing. I learned the hard way that fit is much more important with leather shoes than with sneakers. For me, moving to a wider shoe made all the difference and I can comfortably walk around all day. I don't think that a dress shoe is inherently less comfortable than a sneaker. Your best bet is to go try some stuff on and see how it looks. A leather dress shoe with a running shoe style sole is a popular look right now. If you are worried a leather sole would be too dressy it is a good option to bridge the gap.

Edit: something like these Clarks desert boots would be a cool look as well
http://www.clarksusa.com/us/mens/mens-boots/mens-desert-boots/desert-boot-beeswax/p/26106562

 

Those desert boots would be a great fit for almost all of the criteria. Nice suggestion.

 

Not sure I am a fan of that style.
These maybe
http://www.allenedmonds.com/factory...-boots/SF1944S.html?dwvar_SF1944S_color=1944S
And these both seem classy yet casual
http://www.allenedmonds.com/factory...xfords/SF4708S.html?dwvar_SF4708S_color=4709S
http://www.allenedmonds.com/factory...xfords/SF8250S.html?dwvar_SF8250S_color=8250S
Same with this
http://www.colehaan.com/jefferson-g..._C23784_color=British Tan&dwvar_C23784_width=

 

Most of these are acceptable, although the wingtip Oxford are too much. I've already suggested the Jefferson Oxford are good.

One more thing: rubber soled causal dress shoes are comfortable AF and are perfect for you. Here are some Johnston and Murphy ones I'm wearing right now.
Buy these, and you will have taken another step toward the Kunlun side of the Force.

 

Good stuff here. I'm looking for a dress casual shoe for work, and when I hopefully get the annual work holiday gift cert. I'll be able to get something good.

 

Yeah, They did seem a bit much. I'm thinking about those jeffersons, they seem pretty good. I like the suede ones I linked, but some review said they had durability issues, and I don't want that in a $150 ish shoe. The boots I linked might be good too, due to variable weather in CT, but not sure if they will have the same comfort or style as the others.

 

Suede scuffs and then doesn't look great. Leather wears well and can be shined nicely at home (something you should learn how to do yourself as a lifeskill).

Try stuff on in a store and then walk back and forth in it in the store. Once you know what you like and comfortable, then save $$ buying online, etc. for the second pair.

 

For improved comfort, I've found Ecco to be a good compromise in the past. Something like this might interest you (link). That style is sometimes referred to as a bicycle toe. Somewhat similar to the J&M model @Kunlun posted. The upside is they are incredibly comfortable and look equally good in dress/casual settings. The downside is that because the sole isn't welted, you can't have them resoled down the road. You may be able to do that with the Cole Haan Jeffersons, but I'm not sure. That can significantly change the value proposition of a shoe. So you gain comfort, but you might lose longevity.

Oh, and whatever you buy, pick up a pair of cedar shoe trees. They are a must if you want to get the most out of the $ you spend on shoes.