Let's talk dress shoes.

[alkemyst]

I think that's exactly the point: the ONLY comment I hear on AE is quality blah blah blah. Don't see anywhere on this last page "I buy AE because AE looks good".

In all fairness, for dress shoes; they almost all look alike across brands in the traditional styles.

AE just doesn't fit me as well as J&M's. My J&M's I have had since the late 90's. Maybe 2-3 resoles on each pair.

Daily I am lucky enough to wear something rubber-soled. I like Clarks.

 

[smackababy]

I guess if you want to buy eurotrash LVs, then AEs wouln't fit with you. But then again, you probably buy into skinny suits with high-water leg cuts, purple socks, thin lapels and strip ties with eurotrash glasses, your hair all greased up, your man purse hanging by a thin strap and a watch the size of a dinner plate.

I don't even want to know what I am considered with my Louboutins.

I am a brand whore though.

 

[Ns1]

I don't even want to know what I am considered with my Louboutins.

I am a brand whore though.

this you?

 

[bigrash]

I've been wearing Clarks a lot lately. They're pretty light and comfortable and not crazy expensive.

 

[smackababy]

this you?

No, I'm not that big of a diva. >_<

 

[SSSnail]

I have owned a lot of shoes also and have issues with most manufacturers for various reasons.

I am not a brand whore either, nobody knows I am wearing AE, or Alden, or Sargent, unless they ask me. There is no labels on them so I am not advertising it, which is the definition of a brand whore.

As far as value, AE delivers a good mix of quality and relative cheapness that results in a shoe that will last decades if treated properly after resoling. Sorry if that's such an issue and such a "old guy" tweed jacket viewpoint.

I guess if you want to buy eurotrash LVs, then AEs wouln't fit with you. But then again, you probably buy into skinny suits with high-water leg cuts, purple socks, thin lapels and strip ties with eurotrash glasses, your hair all greased up, your man purse hanging by a thin strap and a watch the size of a dinner plate.

But that's just it - you don't buy the shoes if they suck.

Different brands have different styles, just because it's LV doesn't mean all their shoes fall into the hipster category that you so eloquently stated. Same with Bruno Magli, same with Ferragamo, same with Gucci, on and on... Just buy the shoes you want, but keep in mind their are other shoes out there.

And who the hell wear shoes until you have to resole them anyways? Put on some heel guards, replace them a few times and go buy new shoes. I don't remember a pair of shoes that I ever want to wear for a decade, let alone decades. Geez...

And of course the tweed jacket comment was not without some trolling, but you guys are too damn serious about your shoes. Relax, they're just shoes.

 

[Howard]

I think that's exactly the point: the ONLY comment I hear on AE is quality blah blah blah. Don't see anywhere on this last page "I buy AE because AE looks good".

I bought my black 5th Aves because I needed decent black shoes, but the walnut Strand and merlot McAllister were because I liked how they look.

 

[alkemyst]

But that's just it - you don't buy the shoes if they suck.

Different brands have different styles, just because it's LV doesn't mean all their shoes fall into the hipster category that you so eloquently stated. Same with Bruno Magli, same with Ferragamo, same with Gucci, on and on... Just buy the shoes you want, but keep in mind their are other shoes out there.

And who the hell wear shoes until you have to resole them anyways? Put on some heel guards, replace them a few times and go buy new shoes. I don't remember a pair of shoes that I ever want to wear for a decade, let alone decades. Geez...

And of course the tweed jacket comment was not without some trolling, but you guys are too damn serious about your shoes. Relax, they're just shoes.

I doubt you are being honest about a large collection of highly priced shoes.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

And who the hell wear shoes until you have to resole them anyways? Put on some heel guards, replace them a few times and go buy new shoes. I don't remember a pair of shoes that I ever want to wear for a decade, let alone decades. Geez...

I have a pair of Tricker's oxfords and a pair of Alden shell cordovan oxfords. Both have double soles which will last a long time but not forever. They are timeless designs and each pair would cost more than $500 (the Aldens, more than $600) to replace. These are not on the level of more disposable shoes like Maglis or Ferragamos - they are intended to be resoled and kept for decades. You're damned right I will resole them when they wear out (and actually one of the Tricker's is now through its first sole on my right shoe). Honestly from day to day I wear various pairs of rubber-soled Pradas more often, but when I go to court I always grab the traditional oxfords. I fully expect to own both these pairs of shoes until I retire, and likely when I die.

 

[Ns1]

I have a pair of Tricker's oxfords and a pair of Alden shell cordovan oxfords. Both have double soles which will last a long time but not forever. They are timeless designs and each pair would cost more than $500 (the Aldens, more than $600) to replace. These are not on the level of more disposable shoes like Maglis or Ferragamos - they are intended to be resoled and kept for decades. You're damned right I will resole them when they wear out (and actually one of the Tricker's is now through its first sole on my right shoe). Honestly from day to day I wear various pairs of rubber-soled Pradas more often, but when I go to court I always grab the traditional oxfords. I fully expect to own both these pairs of shoes until I retire, and likely when I die.

yeah, but you're the old fogey double fisting viagra and cialis we're talking about =P

 

[LegendKiller]

I doubt you are being honest about a large collection of highly priced shoes.

For once I agree with you.

I agree with DVC - I buy high quality shoes that have timeless styles that last a long time. They don't smell, they don't deteriorate and with proper care they look brand new every time I polish them (myself) or have them resoled.

I guess people are so into their own short-term veneer lifestyles that they are willing to just buy expensive toss-away shoes that'll just fill up landfills, just because. I don't buy into it.

That doesn't make me an old fogey, it makes me look for multi-faceted value while not buying into fads and the toss-away culture.

 

[SSSnail]

I doubt you are being honest about a large collection of highly priced shoes.

I never said large, just enough so that I won't have to repeat in two work weeks if I so desired. And as stated, not all my shoes are high priced.

ATOT is a lot richer than I once thought, when BMs and Ferragamos are disposables.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I never said large, just enough so that I won't have to repeat in two work weeks if I so desired. And as stated, not all my shoes are high priced.

ATOT is a lot richer than I once thought, when BMs and Ferragamos are disposables.

They are nice shoes, but they are, at least for the most part, literally disposable in that they normally have fairly thin soles, and the uppers are made of leather that will generally show discernible wear relatively quickly.

These are the Aldens I own (in the cordovan color) - http://www.theshoemart.com/alden-me...0_ald_m_plain_toe_blucher_shell_cordovan.html As you can see, they're a very simple design, with a very thick double sole, and made of shell cordovan, which requires a lengthy, labor-intensive tanning process (there is actually only one facility in the world that produces it anymore, Horween of Chicago, who also make the leather for NFL footballs) and wears like iron. The whole point of a shoe like this is longevity. Not only can they be resoled, Alden actually offers a reconstruction process for these shoes, where they will take whatever is left of the original shoes after use and abuse and reconstruct them to their specifications.

I am 43, and have been through a skillion pairs of shoes, ranging from $50 cheapies to $800 Prada black labels, with most things in between (including midrange stuff such as at least one pair of Ferragamos, and similar price point shoes like Ralph Laurens, etc.). Ultimately, my experience has been that the more expensive, handmade stuff lasts a lot longer and looks and feels nicer along the way. In general, though not always, I have had the best luck with English-constructed shoes. At this point my go-to dress and semi-dress shoes are my cordovan Aldens, my black calfskin Tricker's, three pairs of rubber-soled Prada black labels, and some very nice Brooks Brothers pebbled calfskin chukka boots made by Peal that I picked up a few years ago on clearance. Today, though, I am sporting my Puma Guillermo Vilas sneakers to work . . .

 

[smackababy]

I never said large, just enough so that I won't have to repeat in two work weeks if I so desired. And as stated, not all my shoes are high priced.

ATOT is a lot richer than I once thought, when BMs and Ferragamos are disposables.

It doesn't even that they are disposable. I buy a new pair pretty much every year. I also regularly buy new clothes, which is something most of the ATOT community seems to be against. They also probably get a hair cut every quarter at the local barber for $10.


A whole $1000 a year on something I enjoy is nothing for someone with a job. Granted, I probably spend a lot more on my sneaker collection than most spend in their entire life.

 

[slayer202]

I've been patiently waiting to find a pair of Mr. Hare, Miller model for a good price...

 

[SSSnail]

wall-o-text

But that's just it, I'm keep telling you that when you say "generally happen" doesn't happen with my shoes. I'm a lazy guy, so I wear mostly Italian styled loafers. I usually donate them after a while when I'm bored with them and while someone else can still appreciate them, which is after 3-4 years, depends on how much I like the shoes. NONE of them have ever fallen apart, albeit I don't plow fields with them, but I do walk a bit. Probably because I rotate my shoes every day, so they don't wear out as fast.

Anyways, since this forum is full of fashion experts and shoes connoisseurs, what can you tell me about these lowly hipster euro-trash disposable footwear from LV spring collection? I think I might have been duped about their qualities...

And, you're wrong about my watch, my only watch...

 

[MongGrel]

 

[phucheneh]

SSSnail's around-the-house attire includes leather loafers, a wetsuit, and a digital watch. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

edit: also is it just me or is the back of your hand waxed?

 

[LegendKiller]

But that's just it, I'm keep telling you that when you say "generally happen" doesn't happen with my shoes. I'm a lazy guy, so I wear mostly Italian styled loafers. I usually donate them after a while when I'm bored with them and while someone else can still appreciate them, which is after 3-4 years, depends on how much I like the shoes. NONE of them have ever fallen apart, albeit I don't plow fields with them, but I do walk a bit. Probably because I rotate my shoes every day, so they don't wear out as fast.

Anyways, since this forum is full of fashion experts and shoes connoisseurs, what can you tell me about these lowly hipster euro-trash disposable footwear from LV spring collection? I think I might have been duped about their qualities...

And, you're wrong about my watch, my only watch...

Wow...did I peg that 100% or what. Is that tight suit your business suit? New thing among hipster eurotrash? That's not even dandy attire, that's just...lol. Psy probably wears those checkered shoes.

Gawd I miss laughing at shit like that in NYC. Always fun to see it, especially when I worked for a european bank.

 

[SSSnail]

Wow...did I peg that 100% or what. Is that tight suit your business suit? New thing among hipster eurotrash? That's not even dandy attire, that's just...lol. Psy probably wears those checkered shoes.

Gawd I miss laughing at shit like that in NYC. Always fun to see it, especially when I worked for a european bank.

LOL now you're just trying to troll your way out of this, unless you're too daft to realize that's a wetsuit. Whatever.

 

[LegendKiller]

LOL now you're just trying to troll your way out of this, unless you're too daft to realize that's a wetsuit. Whatever.

It's sarcasm.

I mean, really, checkered shoes? Do you dress in motley also? Are you some court jester?


Just when I thought I had seen it all...

 

[SSSnail]

It's sarcasm.

I mean, really, checkered shoes? Do you dress in motley also? Are you some court jester?


Just when I thought I had seen it all...

they're really subtle, look really nice on. But, of course you're a fashion authority around here, so...

And no, I'm a troll, there's a big distinction

 

[LegendKiller]

they're really subtle, look really nice on. But, of course you're a fashion authority around here, so...

And no, I'm a troll, there's a big distinction

dude, if that's being a fashion authority, then I am more than happy being a naif. That's called having more money than brains.

If I wore that onto the trading floor at work I'd get my ass fired, but not before I became the laughing stock of the entire company. Who the fuck would trust my investment recommendations if I dressed like that?

The shit people think of.

 

[SSSnail]

LOL, try them on sometimes before you look even more foolish. Your pants legs will have covered most of it, and the shape doesn't say "tweed".

But, you should check out something more your speed, something that you can stand all day on. I'm a bit confused though, if you're on the trading floor, who do you advise to? Or are you just confused about what you are?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The dress boots are OK, but the metal label on the sole is just too much. Why do they feel the need to emblazon logos on everything? Those checkered shoes are laughable.

It's trashy and the truly wealthy would never be caught dead in them.

Logos are for people who want everyone to notice they spent $XXX on an item. My favorite are the logo eyeglasses - seriously?

I have 7-pair of Allen Edmonds - I wear them as I am a EEE in width and fell in love with AE's after realizing how comfortable they were. My last pair were the Long Branch boots as I wanted something to wear with jeans.

My last purchase were these in burgundy/black - http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/product_6526170_1_40000000001_-1_2811