Hey all,
I've recently started to upgrade my wardrobe (past jeans and Hollister button downs/polos). I've come quite a long way with dress pants/shirts, ties, belts etc. What I haven't touched on at all has been shoes. So I come here for your help and advice in this endeavor. FWIW I'm 24 years old.
These past 2 weeks I did some research on types of shoes etc. I've found that I like oxfords over bluchers (almost across the board). I finally found the respect for AE that it deserves (I used to think AE meant American Eagle clothing and always got confused.. I know I know). I like cap toes and I like brogue as well. I can't stand square toe but can probably survive a very slightly squarish round toe look (from my understanding it's a European thing).
My current semi dressy shoe status:
Calvin Klein Black Apron Toe Loafers in textured (not shiny or smooth) leather. (picked up off clearance because I needed for interviews)
Timberland walnutish brown leather boots (impulse buy based on sale vs style before wardrobe upgrade.)
I would like to know what I'm going to buy so that when they come out with a good sale I'm ready to buy as opposed to thinking about it and missing the sale.
Ideally I'd like to pay a max of $230 for the Brown and less for black based on Joe's argument that brown's get used more so price compromise should be in black.
This is based on the fact that most of my shirts are $20-25, ties $5, pants $30-50, and suits $150-200. (I'm lucky in that I had almost all of them made on a trip to Pakistan a few years ago = my jump into dress clothing).
From my searching I have found these shoes to be my favorites what I need help with is color! (I also liked some Salvatore Ferregamo types but in all seriousness cost is an issue so lets not go there)
As a starter I thought a black, a light brown, and a dark brown would be the ideal combo (let me know if that is correct). I don't have the budget for all three now but I want to know exactly what I want before a sale (possibly even ebay for used).
If I had no cost concerns I'd be highly motivated by black park ave, and walnut/choc brown for strands/fifth ave. The question is which is best in which color? Strand in the choc brown and fifth ave lighter or vice versa? Also considering the all one piece upper brown from J&W. (Ferregamo makes that type too but it just cost 6x the amount) Finally since I'm relatively new to this if you have other (possibly better or cheaper) suggestions I'm open to them.
#1: AE fifth avenue: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...dsearch&pprd=0
#2 AE Strand http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...dsearch&pprd=0
#3 AE park avenue http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...=keywordsearch
#4: Letson Medallion from Johnston and murphy http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?pid=87584
#5 Letson cap toe J&M http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/produc...7562&VID=87573
This was long so a quick summary: Remember this is in the context of someone with not even one pair of lace-ups but wants to build a nice collection of about 3-4 shoes with minimal redundancy and max versatility.
Is it ok to get all Oxfords and no Bluchers?
Is one black, one walnut-ish brown and one dark chocolate brown a good range/combo of colors to shoot for?
If so, what color should I get first? (budget limits multiple buys)
Is it better to skimp on the black shoe as opposed to the brown?
Would it be best to get black shoes in a simple design (no brogue etc just a captoe) and brown's with design?
If so, then for the brown should a lot of design be highlighted with a light brown color or dulled a little bit with a dark brown color? (example: AE Strand)
Finally let me know if you have any shoe suggestions for a newbie (company or specific model) that I may have overlooked.
Thank you for your time and advice!
I've recently started to upgrade my wardrobe (past jeans and Hollister button downs/polos). I've come quite a long way with dress pants/shirts, ties, belts etc. What I haven't touched on at all has been shoes. So I come here for your help and advice in this endeavor. FWIW I'm 24 years old.
These past 2 weeks I did some research on types of shoes etc. I've found that I like oxfords over bluchers (almost across the board). I finally found the respect for AE that it deserves (I used to think AE meant American Eagle clothing and always got confused.. I know I know). I like cap toes and I like brogue as well. I can't stand square toe but can probably survive a very slightly squarish round toe look (from my understanding it's a European thing).
My current semi dressy shoe status:
Calvin Klein Black Apron Toe Loafers in textured (not shiny or smooth) leather. (picked up off clearance because I needed for interviews)
Timberland walnutish brown leather boots (impulse buy based on sale vs style before wardrobe upgrade.)
I would like to know what I'm going to buy so that when they come out with a good sale I'm ready to buy as opposed to thinking about it and missing the sale.
Ideally I'd like to pay a max of $230 for the Brown and less for black based on Joe's argument that brown's get used more so price compromise should be in black.
This is based on the fact that most of my shirts are $20-25, ties $5, pants $30-50, and suits $150-200. (I'm lucky in that I had almost all of them made on a trip to Pakistan a few years ago = my jump into dress clothing).
From my searching I have found these shoes to be my favorites what I need help with is color! (I also liked some Salvatore Ferregamo types but in all seriousness cost is an issue so lets not go there)
As a starter I thought a black, a light brown, and a dark brown would be the ideal combo (let me know if that is correct). I don't have the budget for all three now but I want to know exactly what I want before a sale (possibly even ebay for used).
If I had no cost concerns I'd be highly motivated by black park ave, and walnut/choc brown for strands/fifth ave. The question is which is best in which color? Strand in the choc brown and fifth ave lighter or vice versa? Also considering the all one piece upper brown from J&W. (Ferregamo makes that type too but it just cost 6x the amount) Finally since I'm relatively new to this if you have other (possibly better or cheaper) suggestions I'm open to them.
#1: AE fifth avenue: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...dsearch&pprd=0
#2 AE Strand http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...dsearch&pprd=0
#3 AE park avenue http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-ed...=keywordsearch
#4: Letson Medallion from Johnston and murphy http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/product.aspx?pid=87584
#5 Letson cap toe J&M http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/produc...7562&VID=87573
This was long so a quick summary: Remember this is in the context of someone with not even one pair of lace-ups but wants to build a nice collection of about 3-4 shoes with minimal redundancy and max versatility.
Is it ok to get all Oxfords and no Bluchers?
Is one black, one walnut-ish brown and one dark chocolate brown a good range/combo of colors to shoot for?
If so, what color should I get first? (budget limits multiple buys)
Is it better to skimp on the black shoe as opposed to the brown?
Would it be best to get black shoes in a simple design (no brogue etc just a captoe) and brown's with design?
If so, then for the brown should a lot of design be highlighted with a light brown color or dulled a little bit with a dark brown color? (example: AE Strand)
Finally let me know if you have any shoe suggestions for a newbie (company or specific model) that I may have overlooked.
Thank you for your time and advice!
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