Dress Shoes

[UglyBuzzard]

Best dress shoe by far

[DF]

Ae is top notch. Try going to the shoe bank for some great deals. I got a pair of freiberg boots there

[wrickem]

Allen Edmonds is having one great big sale right now. I just bought 3 pairs that I've had my eye on at really great prices.

They also have their factory second sale going on too. I bought a pair from that sale a while ago and I couldn't find any flaws... except they shipped with non-premium packaging (no flannel bag just plastic bags) which I found funny because they weren't worthy of flannel.

[fun ticket]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Allen Edmonds is having one great big sale right now. I just bought 3 pairs that I've had my eye on at really great prices.

They also have their factory second sale going on too. I bought a pair from that sale a while ago and I couldn't find any flaws... except they shipped with non-premium packaging (no flannel bag just plastic bags) which I found funny because they weren't worthy of flannel.

Yeah I saw that on their site. They just have the ones I want on sale (Hopkinson Cap Toe) I think its because they are new.

I usually shop at Nordstroms and have a guy there that I use for suits, etc. I will see if he can get them in. Nordstroms is good about returns if I don't like them.

[finaloption]

Alden

only to be different.. but AE for shoes, Alden for boots

[kromix]

Originally Posted by finaloption

Alden

only to be different.. but AE for shoes, Alden for boots

Alden are very nice as well!

[EdM5]

Come on guys, go Italian.

Santoni is perfect.
Fratelli Rosetti is pretty decent as well.

[catcher22]

Allen Edmunds is the standard United States Presidents' shoe brand. So you know you can't go wrong! Of course that will probably change if we have a lady as President though and I'm not sure if any of the current male candidates wear them!

Here's an article about the popularity of Allen Edmunds shoes with US Presidents:
http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles...duct-placement

Personally, I like Mezlan. They're a spanish shoe company but their shoes are just as great as any of the other top brands and they last for a loooong time. I still have shoes and a belt from several years ago that are still in great condition.

[UncleWede]

I was always intrigued by my dad paying what seemed like huge sums for a few pairs of shoes, then always taking them in to get "retro-fitted" every couple of years.

Fast forward, I have problems with plantar fasciitis and the Dr. tells me while my shoes "look" great, if they are older than 3 months they are contributing to my foot pains. He shoes me he is wearing Ecco, so off I go. New pair now every 3-4 months, I can afford them at about $150/pair.

[catcher22]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I was always intrigued by my dad paying what seemed like huge sums for a few pairs of shoes, then always taking them in to get "retro-fitted" every couple of years.

Fast forward, I have problems with plantar fasciitis and the Dr. tells me while my shoes "look" great, if they are older than 3 months they are contributing to my foot pains. He shoes me he is wearing Ecco, so off I go. New pair now every 3-4 months, I can afford them at about $150/pair.

That's interesting. New dress shoes for me usually hurt for the first month or two until they're broken in.

On the days I wear newer dress shoes, I can't even go for a jog at the end of the day because of the unbroken shoes. So I wear newer dress shoes on non-cardio days only, lol

the things we do for fashion.

[other_evolved]

Check out www.shoebank.com as well, for their factory seconds. Great prices, and out of the 3 pairs of "seconds" that I have, the defects are barely noticeable.

Originally Posted by finaloption

Alden

only to be different.. but AE for shoes, Alden for boots

Alden is nice, but their customer service leaves a lot to be desired compared to AE.....at least in my experience. They are nicer shoes, but they cost more.

[Fatty Duckets]

I own 6 pairs of AE's. Did every other $50-$150 shoe and ended up throwing them out after 3-6 months. Made the move to AE about 5 years ago and never looked back.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I was always intrigued by my dad paying what seemed like huge sums for a few pairs of shoes, then always taking them in to get "retro-fitted" every couple of years.

Fast forward, I have problems with plantar fasciitis and the Dr. tells me while my shoes "look" great, if they are older than 3 months they are contributing to my foot pains. He shoes me he is wearing Ecco, so off I go. New pair now every 3-4 months, I can afford them at about $150/pair.

I have several pairs of Eccos, including a pair of sandals with support specifically meant to prevent plantar fasciitis. The Eccos are supremely comfy. I walk the mile loop around the campus quad on the concrete walkway in my "dress" shoes and don't ever feel the need for better walking shoes. And the sandals are on my feet all summer long.

That said, one pair of Eccos is showing the slightest bit of fraying at the expansion joint (slip-ons). It's very minor, but I can see where these shoes won't last years. And of course when the sole is worn, they're all done. No refitting these. Still, at $165 or so per pair, it's not painful to replace them every two years or so.

If I ever have the need for serious dress shoes, I'll look at the AEs. They are classy looking shoes. I just don't wear a suit often enough to need dedicated dress shoes.

[P1]

Hard to beat Tod's...

[fun ticket]

Sorry to keep pestering everyone on this topic but one more question. I am most likely going to buy online direct from AE. I have been researching reviews and see many comments about the shoes being a bit narrow. I always wear a medium "D" width but have seen several comments about having to go with an "E" width for people that usually wear a "D" width.

There are tow types I am looking at. I am definitely going to buy the Hopkinson Cap Toe Oxford which appears to be a fairly new shoe. I am also considering the Steen shoe which is part of the sale they are currently running. It looks like they are phasing this one out and it is the one getting reviews about being narrow.

What have your experiences been regarding sizing? I always wear 9.5/D in dress shoes. Should I go with that when I order? I know the best way is go in and try them on in a store but that may not be possible.

Thx

[P1]

Originally Posted by fun ticket

Sorry to keep pestering everyone on this topic but one more question. I am most likely going to buy online direct from AE. I have been researching reviews and see many comments about the shoes being a bit narrow. I always wear a medium "D" width but have seen several comments about having to go with an "E" width for people that usually wear a "D" width.

There are tow types I am looking at. I am definitely going to buy the Hopkinson Cap Toe Oxford which appears to be a fairly new shoe. I am also considering the Steen shoe which is part of the sale they are currently running. It looks like they are phasing this one out and it is the one getting reviews about being narrow.

What have your experiences been regarding sizing? I always wear 9.5/D in dress shoes. Should I go with that when I order? I know the best way is go in and try them on in a store but that may not be possible.

Thx

Buy a few different sizes. Then return the ones that don't fit.

[RickFLM4]

They have a sizing guide on the site if you really can't make it to a shoe store. Otherwise, as suggested above, buy a few pairs and return some. You really should have the right size nailed down through because walking around a few steps on carpeting can give you a false impression.

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Fast forward, I have problems with plantar fasciitis and the Dr. tells me while my shoes "look" great, if they are older than 3 months they are contributing to my foot pains. He shows me he is wearing Ecco, so off I go. New pair now every 3-4 months, I can afford them at about $150/pair.

Is your Doctor an Ecco Salesman? That sounds ridiculous.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by e90m305

Is your Doctor an Ecco Salesman? That sounds ridiculous.

I told the sales lady the first time I went in. She said to tell him thanks

[fun ticket]

Appreciate everyone's input. I bought a pair of AE Carlyle's in Walnut. Love them. Will go with that for a bit then try a pair of the new Hopkinson Cap Toe's.

[bosstones]

I'm happy w/ my Cole Haan shoes. I have a few from different price points and I can tell the difference. The oxfords I have are holding up well.

[catcher22]

Originally Posted by fun ticket

Sorry to keep pestering everyone on this topic but one more question. I am most likely going to buy online direct from AE. I have been researching reviews and see many comments about the shoes being a bit narrow. I always wear a medium "D" width but have seen several comments about having to go with an "E" width for people that usually wear a "D" width.

There are tow types I am looking at. I am definitely going to buy the Hopkinson Cap Toe Oxford which appears to be a fairly new shoe. I am also considering the Steen shoe which is part of the sale they are currently running. It looks like they are phasing this one out and it is the one getting reviews about being narrow.

What have your experiences been regarding sizing? I always wear 9.5/D in dress shoes. Should I go with that when I order? I know the best way is go in and try them on in a store but that may not be possible.

Thx

They are narrow. The first pair of AE shoes I ever bought were online (not sure why, think it was an impulse buy). I received them only to find out they were way too narrow. Had to return them. And I have never bought wide widths of any other brand shoes ever before, so yes AE shoes are narrower than most.