Shoe suggestions

[bj]

At work, the dress code is casual. Almost everyone wears a combination of these things:
<ul>[*]Polo[*]Baggy button-ups[*]Dad jeans[*]Pleated khakis[*]Weird shoes that aren't sneakers but aren't dress shoes either[/list]


My normal wardrobe consists of a mix of the following:
<ul>[*]Solid or pattered button up[*]Tie[*]Odd trousers[*]Chinos[*]The occasional blazer (it's already too hot here in TX to wear one regularly)[/list]


Anyways, I'm slowly building my shoe collection. Currently, I have AE Player's Shoe in walnut, AE McAllister in black, and J&M Headley Saddle shoe in dark brown.


What would y'all suggest for my next shoe? I want something versatile — something that will fit with anything from dark jeans to the occasional suit. On the casual side, I was thinking about some suede bucks, either in taupe/dirty or dark brown. On the more formal side I was considering a dark brown cap toe (something like AE Strands), monkstraps (single or double), or even a clean loafer (like these or these.


All that to say, I'd love to hear your suggestions on what I should get next.

[alan]

Considering you now have 3 lace-ups, I think a loafers may be in order (though I don't often wear them with jeans). That Westchester looks pretty nice. As for color, I would consider something either in medium brown or burgundy since you don't already have anything like that. BTW, what kind of company is it?

[bj]

Good suggestions, sir. Thanks.


It's a church in a college town.

[alan]

Yeah, I noticed from your linked Facebook page that you're in B/CS. Gig 'em! My dad lives in Bryan, and most of my family (myself, included) has gone to A&M.

[alan]

BTW, I noticed the AE 2 for $200 sale had a number of loafers in the mix (including some Italian-made). Is there another shoe in there you like? You could get a loafer plus maybe something dressier like the Hales (which are available as firsts)?

[alan]

Also, they're carrying the Van Ness as firsts and it's available in chili (which is basically burgundy). It's a cap toe in the same vein as the Strand.

[bj]

Awesome! I love B/CS and A&M. When did you graduate? I'm class of 2010.


Nice find on the Van Ness. I hadn't seen those. I'll look at the loafers and see what I can find.

[alan]

I missed my own chance on the Van Ness, but I've got them hunting for one in a larger width since they run a bit narrow. I transfered out when I changed majors, but is still the school I claim. I graduated in 2004.

[zerostyle]

OP,


I'd suggest the AE Fifth Avenue in brown, or the AE Van Ness in burgundy. Both are quarter-brogues (a cap toe with minimal broguing on the toe only).


Another option would be the park avenue in merlot.


Chili is a little different looking than burgundy- I debated if I wanted to buy the Van Ness's in chili in my size also.


Here's a shot of walnut, chili, and burgundy cordovan:

[bj]

I like the Park Avenue in merlot, but I'm worried it may be a bit too formal. I'm gonna stop by Nordstrom Rack this weekend to see if they have anything.

[Ragu]

Whoop! to my fellow Ags.


Class of '06.

[bj]

Anyone have any other suggestions?

[kinojay33]

Seeing as you already have a couple pairs of AE, I'd suggest branching out. I know there are a lot of AE fanatics on here and I own a couple pairs myself...but they're not the be-all, end-all of shoes. Variety is the spice of life; mix it up a bit and get something a bit more daring!

[bj]

That's what I was thinking too. Any suggestions on brands?

[Ben]

brown suede loafers