Shoe question for you shoe experts

[aznboi9]

I got a gift card at Amazon and was thinking of using it towards a pair of shoes. There are three that were in my price range and was wondering what some of you thought. They seem ok to me but I don't know a whole lot about shoes. Yay? Nay?

Mezlan Tyson Oxford

Florsheim Otavio Cap Toe

Too Boot NY Medallion Cap Toe

Moreschi Cordeno Toe Cap Oxfords

 

[aznboi9]

I will help you only if you buy me a jumbo donair with a side order of onion rings and fries and an Orange Crush (diet) and/or a Coke Zero.

Thank you.

Ok, I'll send you a care package to Edmonton.

There are no shoe experts on PERB. There is only an expert, not experts.

I would suggest you buy the Moreschi Cordeno Toe Cap Oxfords simply because they're the most expensive pair. When buying shoes, buy the most expensive you can reasonably afford.

Looks like they're no longer available, oh well.

Personally, none of these styles appeal to me because I don't like the cap toe style. That's just me, though.

Fair enough, I had just bought a cheap pair for work and ended up liking the look of it so I thought it'd be nice to have a better pair for my suits. However, I did find these Oxfords by Allen Edmonds and like the look of those. What do you think?

All these shoes are, however, not made with full grain or even top grain leather.

They're all made with what's called corrected leather.

Even the Morschi's? That's a $500 shoe; shouldn't they be made from a quality leather at that point, especially price point?

furthermore, pair #1 is a square toe and such a style is to be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. Square toe shoes are an abomination. You don't even want to be caught dead wearing square toes.

Lol, ok. But wouldn't pair #2 also be considered square toes as well then? Because, to be honest, the first three look really similar to me in shape of the forefoot.

And ALWAYS make sure your shoes have leather soles (preferred). Rubber soles are acceptable, too, of course, especially on, say, a pair of suede shoes (more casual).

Let's talk about leather quality now . . .

Full grain leather is exactly that: it is a very thick leather that shows the natural textured grain in the hide because it IS the WHOLE HIDE. It is the best quality you can get.

Top grain leather, on the other hand, is the next best quality because it uses the top layer of the hide and still shoes the natural textured grain. This is the second-best quality you can get.

Corrected grain is the most common leather used for shoes because it's cheaper to make but, unfortunately, doesn't show the leather's beautiful natural textured grain. With corrected grain leather, the hide's natural textured grain has been "sanded" away to give the leather a smooth "polished" finish. The majority of shoes are, alas, made with corrected grain leather, even very expensive high-end brands that are handmade in countries such as Italy and England.

So then can you tell just by the look of the shoe what type of leather it is? Would this be a corrected grain then Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue (I really like these ones as well)?

 

[WalterMitty]

Allen Edmonds makes quality shoes. I have 4 pairs of their dress shoes, a couple casuals, and even an indoor moccasin that I wear at home in the winter. They are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn right out of the box.

I also have a pair of shoes that look almost exactly like the Mezlans you linked to, except they have a rounded toe. Bought them in 1999 in Las Vegas, but don't wear them much anymore.

Personally, I am not a big fan of perforations, but either of the AE shoes you like would be fine. The most important thing is how you like them, and how they make you feel. That is what style is all about.

And no, you can't tell the type of leather by looking at it. Most corrected grain leathers will have a "grain" stamped into them after sanding, giving the appearance of full or top grain. And top grain leather may be sanded to smooth it out. The cost difference is not so much about quality, but rather availability. Most leather is corrected grain, as it is harder to find hides that do not have imperfections (that is why the need for buffing etc, to make the leather look nicer) and can be used "as is".

Walter

 

[aznboi9]

Cool, thanks Walter.

 

[pdicko]

You cannot go wrong with Allen Edmonds. I went to their factory in Wisconsin three years ago and bought my first pair. I have since bought three more pairs. Once you get a few pairs of high quality shoes (4-6) you can wear them interchangeably so you don't wear them out. Do this and maintain them, and they will last forever.

I have to agree with sperminator about square toe shoes. They look amateur hour and should never be worn... right up there with black shirts and white ties, brown shirts and purple ties. Leave that look to the high school kids and that awkward looking guy at the wedding who you can tell only owns one set of dress clothes.

 

[pdicko]

Yes, I agree.

pdicko, you truly are an Unordinary Guy.





It's funny how that One Awkward Guy does stand out at weddings and, YES, YOU REALLY CAN TELL HE ONLY OWNS ONE SET OF DRESS CLOTHES. There's just something about the way he carries himself--or, should I say, the way he's UNABLE to carry himself. He's the guy who ALWAYS looks awkward in how he's dressed no matter how hard he tries to blend in. He's the fish out of water. He's the one wearing a solid colour bright jewel tone shirt with a matching tie in the same colour, black dress pants or black cotton chinos, NO JACKET, and thick rubber soled semi-dress shoes that he thinks are proper dress shoes but which clearly aren't.

Exactly! I know some people are on a budget, but with a small budget you can still do a few things to salvage yourself.

I was happy to see you understoud my shirt and tie reference. I worked in London for a couple years right out of university. The company I worked for gave us a clothing allowance. It wasn't purely altruistic. As I'm sure you know, it's a very class driven society and people will actually judge you based on what you wear.

I had a colleague who was sent him home for wearing a... <b>brown shirt and pink tie</b>. I still laugh out loud when I think of my director saying the following, in his uppity British accent... "follow the rules, you can never wear a tie that is a lighter colour than your shirt.... go home and change, you look like a black woman's vagina."

 

[aznboi9]

4982

aznboi9, which pair of shoes did you end up buying?

I ended up ordering a pair of Merlot Park Avenues that I found on ebay and got a pretty good deal on; I'm still waiting for my order to come in. Like you, I really liked the look of the Strands in Walnut; but thought that might be a little too flashy for my style and liked the richness of the Merlot colour. If everything works out with the Park Avenues and I decide to buy another pair, I think I'll save up for a pair of Fifth Avenues in either the Walnut or Brown as my next shoe. I was kicking myself a little because after I bought the Park Avenues, a pair of Byson's (identical to the Fifth's but a shorter last) came up on ebay (used but looked to be in really good condition), oh well.

Thanks again for your help, spermie.

May I ask why brown?

Lol, uh oh! *Quickly runs for cover*

 

[aznboi9]

Hey spermie (and ladies too, actually)

What do you think of these AE Augusta's? I found a pair online for half off and am thinking of pulling the trigger but am wondering if they'd be too trendy forward to wear with a suit?

 

[princeofdarkness]

Sperminator, you never cease to amaze me. I am curious as to what kind of shoes YOU would wear with a black tuxedo, no tails.

 

[aznboi9]

The Augusta is not a trendy shoe; it is quite traditional and classic. Wear the Augusta with a suit or a sportcoat or a pair of chinos or jeans. Wear them with anything.

Cool, I really like the look of them and am looking forward to receiving them.

 

[Ariel]

i"m not a fashionista. I spend most of my life in tshirt and jeans.
For the love of god though please anyone ever never wear shoes like those in the first pic.
Tassles and a shoe with a heel look very wrong on any man....except medieval age.
I really would have a tough time not staring.

 

[aznboi9]

i"m not a fashionista. I spend most of my life in tshirt and jeans.
For the love of god though please anyone ever never wear shoes like those in the first pic.
Tassles and a shoe with a heel look very wrong on any man....except medieval age.
I really would have a tough time not staring.

What about these?

http://imagethumbnails.milo.com/002/954/507/600/2954001_3899507_600.jpg

http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/1/0/7/1074416-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg

 

[princeofdarkness]

Black patent leather slip-ons with a grosgrain strap across the top of the vamp.

A classic.

Thanks, it sure beats the size 28 red clown shoes. : )

Peace.

 

[Ariel]

Aznboi9:
Sorry i have just noticed your question from me now. I think its a sharp looking shoe and good choice. There is two different shades so I"d go with the darker.I happen to like brown shoes but thinking more on the Chocolate Brown side rather than Tan is likely best.