Style Q&A: Finding The Right Dress Shoes
I’m in the market for some new dress shoes. I don’t mind spending more for them knowing that I will wear them 5 days a week or so. Can you point me to a brand for a well-made shoe that’s going to be able to be worn with all dress attire and look pretty stylish?
- John | Baltimore, MD
John - First of all, purchasing shoes is essential to building a wardrobe; unfortunately, it’ll also be one of your biggest expenses. If done right, you’ll be making a purchase that could easily last you 10 to 15 years, so you want to make sure you do some research. Whether you’ll be doing a lot of walking to and from work, sitting at a desk all day, or a little of both will determine what kind of shoe you’ll want to purchase.
As far as brands that I prefer and believe in go, Alden is one of my favorite makers. The company has been in business since 1884 outside of Boston and is still making its shoes the exact same way. I own several pairs in various styles from a Plain Toe to a Wingtip. Allen-Edmonds is another popular American-made shoe offering quality products with some more modern styles. Both companies have an amazing restoration process for an old pair of its shoes where the leather is restored and the old soles are replaced with new. Also, our man Jon Gaffney recently reviewed a pair from Lodger Shoes and he was obviously impressed.
I don’t recommend that you wear the same shoe all 5 days of the week because you will burn through shoes too quickly. If you must (and believe me, I know things are tight these days) then I would choose wisely. Buying a shoe that gives you versatility to wear with all of your suits is one key. The other key is buying one that is well made enough to put up with the wear and tear of everyday. Here are some general guidelines to use while shopping:
* Always try on a shoe first! If purchasing from internet, make sure you’ve tried that particular model on beforehand.
* Wear a sock like the one you will wear with your suits.
* Look for things like the stitching and if the shoe has a shank or not and what kind.
* If possible, it’s better to try on a shoe at the beginning of the day because our feet swell as the day progresses.
Buying a shoe is not rocket science and definitely shouldn’t be something we fret about. On the other hand, if you’re dropping over $300 for a pair, you want to make sure you’re doing homework.
Got a question for GP’s Style Correspondent, Torrey McMurray? E-mail him at helpmystyle@gearpatrol.com. Your question might be included in our (somewhat) weekly Wednesday Q&A series. Advance yourself.
I highly recommend Allen-Edmonds and Alden. If you can, save up and get a pair of shell cordovan longwings at some point.
This is an age old question but I'm still unsure about the answer. Are brown shoes ok with navy suits? Thanks
Johnston & Murphy - Great shoes that can take the abuse of 5-6 days a week of 8+ hours and still feel good.
you shouldn't wear your shoes more than two days in a row and you should try them on in hte afternoon, that way you know that they'll still be comfortable after your feet expand during the day and not be too tight. that said, johnston and murphy's are great. ALDO is a decent, cheap brand. Shoes around $100, good style, more european in design, but won't last you much more than a year or so.
I think it's ok, especially if they are darker brown. Though I still prefer black on navy.
J&M's are great shoes. Have gone through a couple pairs (i'm notorious for having shoes recobbled), I can say they really hold up and the classic designs are just the way i like them. Not flashy, but stylish.
Can't go wrong with a pair of oxblood shoes when it comes to navy suits.
Thanks for the tips. It could be a generational thing. My dad saw me in a navy suit with brown shoes the other day and turned his nose with the comment "what, brown shoes?"
Roger,
That's hilarious, as my dad did the same thing a few weeks ago. I think he said something like, "what were you thinking when you got dressed today, son?"