Shoe-Case

[VPI]

Looking to update quite a bit lately and I am moving on from all my Mephisto dress shoes to something a bit more modern/interesting.  Couldn't find a shoe-case thread here hiding amongst murses and bicycles so I figured we could have a nice discussion of something I assume most of us use.

 

I have Allen Edmonds right across the street and an Alden one train stop away so they are first on my radar.  Fashionista Colin pointed out the Peal & Co. option as well made shoes available at Brooks Brothers so I am looking at them as well.

 

So what does the well-appointed Head-Caser wear for daily dress, casual, sport shoes around here?

 

[acidbasement]

I wear Blundstones for all-purpose (rural all-purpose, mind you - maybe not applicable for most people here), and Vibram Fivefingers for running.  The Blundstones are very comfortable, once broken in, and they've lasted longer than any other shoe/boot I've had.

 

A bonus I just discovered with the Fivefingers is that they give me an unprecedented level of control on the bass drum pedal, which makes sense.

 

Dress shoes... I should probably get a decent pair someday, so I'll watch this thread.

[Dusty Chalk]

Well, probably not at the level that you're asking, but I love my Dockers, Hush Puppies, and Dr. Scholl'ses.  There is nothing like a good oxford lace-up.

[The Monkey]

Not modern, but a pair of Alden cordovans in color #8 (burgundy) is about as classic as it gets.  I am partial to the cap toe bluchers and the wingtips.  Alden will recraft them, too.

[VPI]

Yeah, I think modern is the wrong word.  The Mephisto shoes just seem kind of blocky so I am looking to avoid that.

[Pars]

Ecco here.

[Voltron]

For years I only bought Cole Hahn loafers, penny or tassel, but they slipped now that they are owned by Nike or whatever.  I recently bought some dress clothes for the first time in a long time -- three suits, sport coat, tux, and most relevant here, three pairs of dress shoes.  The tux shoes are Brioni (I think), and then a black pair by Gravati and a cordovan pair by Gaziano & Girling, all lace-ups.

 

The Gravati pair look something like this:

 

 

Here are the G&G pair, except they are in "vintage rioja" rather than this brown color called "vintage oak."  Goofy names but beautiful and comfortable shoes.

 

[VPI]

I think those G&G look great. I will have to research to see if I can see those around here.

Edited March 27, 2013 by VPI

[VPI]

<p>Don't know why my posts go nuts when I go back and edit them. Going to try out one or two from each contender at this point.<br />

<br />

Bought these Alden's in Black<br />

<br />

<span><img alt="Alden_Cap_Toe_Shoes_2.jpg" src="http://well-spent.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Alden_Cap_Toe_Shoes_2.jpg" /></span><br />

<br />

and these Peal &amp; Co. in a darker brown.<br />

<span><img alt="il_fullxfull.389173468_a0nn.jpg" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/005/1/5569519/il_fullxfull.389173468_a0nn.jpg" /></span></p>

Edited March 27, 2013 by VPI

[Augsburger]

For every day office casual I prefer the fit of my Cole Hahn, when I am forced to wear a suit under extreme duress I wear Bally.  Some people have complained that the Bally dress shoe fit is for slightly narrow feet though I have not found that to be the case.

[MexicanDragon]

Subscribed.

I like those, Jeff. Wrll played, Al.

**BRENT**

[Dusty Chalk]

Oh, also?  Fluevog.

[Voltron]

I like John Fluevog too.

[spritzer]

Ecco here.

 

Ditto.  They are the only ones available here is my petite 16.5 size...

[Hopstretch]

Before we went full colonial, I used to get my shoes from these guys. In those days it was $25 flat rate shipping to the US, regardless of the # of pairs. Don't know if that still holds.

 

http://www.shiptonandheneage.co.uk

 

Don't wear the oxfords etc. much anymore but expect they'll all outlast me.

[VPI]

I have owned a couple of pairs of Eccos and thought they were pretty good. 

[crappyjones123]

I wear a size 11 4E and have not had many occasion to wear non running shoes much until now. With med school a few months away where I will be required to suit up once or twice a week when I go shadow physicians. Anyone have suggestions (for probably 2.4% of Jeff's budget) for shoes that are for really wide feet? All the ones I have had and tried in stores cause very painful blisters on the sides of my feet on account of having very narrow toe boxes. I don't need anything fancy. The simpler the better but given that ill be on my feet for 10 hours, I'd like something that is comfortable as well.

[Grahame]

CJ, Doctor recommends Clogs? http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565263

[The Monkey]

Jeff, I approve of your shoe choices.  And Stretch, I am very much considering ordering from that site.

[oogabooga]

I've own four different pairs from the Clarks Unstructured line. No problems wearing them all day long, they are light, breathable, comfortable and I don't have pain from walking. I used to wear Eccos, but switched to the Clarks because they worked better for me and cost less.

 

Amazing to me how different they are from the 'regular' Clarks line, which I find heavy as hell and highly uncomfortable.

 

 

Mind you, at work I wear Crocs with socks (and don't give a shit what people say...).

[Dusty Chalk]

CJ, I'm a wide, also, although not by any means an 11.  Just make sure you order wide shoes.  Some shoes don't come in wide -- don't get those.

 

Search Zappos for an ultimate selection.  Also, JC Penney carries something called Stags -- I really like them, if you have one of them around you.  Also, DSW or Off Broadway are my two favourite places to shop for shoes.

[T-Bird]

I wear Johnston Murphy oxfords and Docker's that are like the Doc Martin style.

[grawk]

I wear fluevogs when I wear nice shoes

[cetoole]

For dress shoes I like my Alfred Sargents, Meermin, Loake 1880s, and Trickers best.  Casual I mostly have been wearing a few things from Buttero, Margiela, Fiorentini+Baker, and Paul Smith.  Definitely approve of Alden shell cordovan and Gaziano & Girling.  Crappy, 11 4E sounds difficult, custom?  What happens with 12 3E or something?  Jeff, you should probably go buy about 25% of what Leffot sells next time you are in NYC.

[jvlgato]

Allen Edmunds for dress shoes. Classic model with laces, they look a lot like the G and G Al posted (which look great, by the way!) . I've had them for over 13 years, and they still look good. They also recraft, and do a nice job of this, though I found a good cobbler locally who is much cheaper . For casual every day use at home and most days at the office, I wear slip on waterproof Merrells. In the summer I wear Keen sandals at home and around town. Comfortable, practical, and long lasting.