Something less serious - shoes

[donk]

Alright, now for something a bit less serious, but still important in life, shoes.

I need to get a new pair or two of shoes for work/dress.

A girl I had a date with suggested I try Campers as they were "cool and fashionable"

I lean more towards, classic styling.

So everyone, what should I get "new and hip" or "classic and traditional". The colour will be brown, to go with my planner's uniform.

Other suggestions, Note shoes must be either made in North America, the EU or by a union shop.

 

[JNA]

I thought that Rockports were part of the unofficial uniform.

 

[Zoning Goddess]

Whoa, I definitely vote for something in the middle! But I also say lose the classic shoes, unless you're dressed to the nines every day in a very conservative office.

 

[biscuit]

Those Campers look like they're some sweet kicks but are probably only fit to wear on casual fridays. I agree with ZG, go for something more middle of the road.

 

[mendelman]

go with classic and traditional

 

[donk]

I should have added a few things, won't wear rockports or other shoes made in China or other exploitive manufacturing location. I prefer shoes with a leather insole, they cup and fit your foot so much better once they are broken in.

Right now I am wearing an eight year old pair of brown wingtips made at the same factory as the shoes in the link (resoled 8 or nine times, reheeled about the same) unfortunately they are looking their age.

Any suggestions for a middle of the road shoe, that meets my requirements?

Saddle shoes be an OK compromise?

 

[DecaturHawk]

Try ecco shoes, made in Denmark. Their "city" series is a good cross between classic and casual, and they are extremely comfortable.

 

[boiker]

shoes

Try ecco shoes, made in Denmark. Their "city" series is a good cross between classic and casual, and they are extremely comfortable.

trendy shoes get my vote.. and apparently the only one.

 

[The Irish One]

Those eccos are nise, go with it.

 

[Chet]

Well if you do decide to go for classy, hit up Prudence for the family discount at Allan-Edmonds.

 

[ludes98]

I tend to go with a more classic line of shoes professionally, but I wear trendier dress shoes as casual wear, sometimes sneaking them into my Friday attire. I like J & M, but not sure if they are still made in the US. Used to be in Tennessee I think.

 

[GeogPlanner]

def. something with a squared-off toe. no pointy toed shoes.

 

[michaelskis]

BOOM, now I am in my zone. I spend 3 years *summers working in a high end shoe store as a sales person… not a clerk, but someone who would help the customer find the best possible shoe for the best possible value, and one that would have the most positive impact on their lives.

I picked other because first of all if he is asking about what type of shoe should he by it makes me realize that he is a little unsure if he wants class or style. I say get both… Go find your self a Tradhome Shoe Store, walk in and let them know that you want to try on an Ecco in an Oxford Style, then sit down and let them do that they do best. That is find you a shoe what will make you walk you of the store feeling good. Eccos are trendy and classic, but what is even more, you will not find a more comfortable shoe for that price range. Yes they do cost more than the Wal Mart brand, but it is a shoe what will last, and allow you last on your feet. It will also provide you much needed support, preventing body pain and fatigue.

OK I am done.

P.S. I own 5 pairs, one dressy wing tip, a black oxford, a brown ridge toe for casual, a pair of sandals, and the track II work boot.

 

[Maister]

BOOM, now I am in my zone. I spend 3 years *summers working in a high end shoe store as a sales person… not a clerk, but someone who would help the customer find the best possible shoe for the best possible value, and one that would have the most positive impact on their lives.

I picked other because first of all if he is asking about what type of shoe should he by it makes me realize that he is a little unsure if he wants class or style. I say get both… Go find your self a Tradhome Shoe Store, walk in and let them know that you want to try on an Ecco in an Oxford Style, then sit down and let them do that they do best. That is find you a shoe what will make you walk you of the store feeling good. Eccos are trendy and classic, but what is even more, you will not find a more comfortable shoe for that price range. Yes they do cost more than the Wal Mart brand, but it is a shoe what will last, and allow you last on your feet. It will also provide you much needed support, preventing body pain and fatigue.

OK I am done.

P.S. I own 5 pairs, one dressy wing tip, a black oxford, a brown ridge toe for casual, a pair of sandals, and the track II work boot.

This message brought to you courtesy of Ecco (TM). For pricing and product information please contact michaelskis@yahoo.com

 

[martini]

I'm a shoe whore. I LOVE shoes. My wife calls me Imeldo Marcos. :-D I lean to the funkier side of things meself, but still retain a classic pair for the conservative days. While the Campers are pretty swanky looking shoes, I don't think I'd go for them actually. I like the Fluevogs of the world(though I don't think they're 'friendly' shoes). The pair I'd suggest for you can currently be found for sale at Sierra Trading Post ( http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base_no=66046 ). They're made by Chaco in Paonia Colorado ( http://www.chacosan.com/ ), so that critera is met. The pilosophy of the company is great, read up on them. The price is good, actually really good. I wouldn't hesitate to pay for these at $90. In fact I think I am gonna order a pair. The fit is wonderful, and the work/construction of the shoe is very good (leauges better than ANY other sandal on the market). I've two pairs of their sandals and LOVE them. Durable, comfortable, tough. Good sh!t for sure. They've got a nice roomy toe box for comfortable tootsies and big sox in the winter.

And to boot, they match very well with the planner uniform!

Buy 'em!

 

[Rem]

You need Blundstones

 

[donk]

As others have come clean, I must too.

My name is donk and I am a slave to my shoes.

Thnaks for teh advice, looks like a hunt for ecco's.

I own the following shoes:

1 pair of loafers(rarely wear them, in poor shape - 15 years old)
1 pair of black wingtips (rarely wear, the toe is too pointy and soft and they need to be resoled)
1 pair of brown wingtips (these are the ones that need to be replaced)
1 pair of black oxfords (shoes in best condition)
2 pairs of running shoes (need to replace at least one pair)
1 pair of chuck taylors (would like to replace, but can't-now made in viet nam)
2 pairs of birkenstocks (1 pair is used as slippers, the other needs a resole)
1 pair of hinking boots (needs to be replaced)
1 pair of maine hunting boots (just got resoled at Bean, should be good for another 5 years)
4 pairs of cycling shoes (need to replace at least 2 pairs)
1 pair of casual running shoes

 

[NHPlanner]

Try ecco shoes, made in Denmark. Their "city" series is a good cross between classic and casual, and they are extremely comfortable.

Actually some of them are manufactured here in the community I work in.....and they're expanding to double the size soon. http://www.ecco.com/us/

 

[Plannerbabs]

Birkenstock makes a line of business-style shoes that are funky yet respectable, and very comfy. I think they can even be resoled, although I'm not sure about that.

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

3 words, steel toe boots. Got a pair of Doc Martin steel toe boots for x-mas that replaced old army steel toe. Good for all occasions and kicking zombie skulls in tense situations

 

[boiker]

i just realized that the shoes your looking for are:

high quality, durable, manufactured by highly trained and well rewarded individuals.

they have been promoted in a rap song.

what's not to love?

Pic: Air Force Ones

 

[martini]

You need Blundstones

mmmm. Blundies! I've always wanted to grab a pair of those. It's just hard to find (any) shoe in size 13/48...

 

[Trail Nazi]

Eccos are really nice. So are Mephistos, which are very similar to Birkenstocks. Always go with comfy, yet stylish, but built on classic themes. I would wear Birks everyday if I could, but sandals are not conducive to the workplace wardrobe.

 

[FueledByRamen]

Kenneth Cole's are nice. Made in Italy, I think...

They arent brown, but here's the pair I have:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p?dp=546865&c=3

"What you stand for is more important than what you stand in. Fortunately, Kenneth Cole New York can help you with both. An American designer known for both his social conscience, and a chic, urban aesthetic, Kenneth Cole translates what's hip and what's now to your life, to your closet. With a variety of styles, all with the distinctive Kenneth Cole flair, these shoes are sure to make a statement."

Heres the organizations he supports:

http://www.kennethcole.com/scripts/aboutus/links.asp

 

[Rem]

mmmm. Blundies! I've always wanted to grab a pair of those. It's just hard to find (any) shoe in size 13/48...

I'm not sure what that size is in Australian (I think our shoe sizing is not an international standard), but when you attend the Antipodean Laefest(TM), I will take you to the best Blundstone store in NSW.

 

[AubieTurtle]

Kenneth Cole's are nice. Made in Italy, I think...

Kenneth Cole shoes tend to have a taller heel than most men's shoes, so they're good for those of us who are a bit on the short side.

I like Stacy Adams shoes. Some of the designs are a bit guady but most are dressy with a bit of an urban flair. Though they are aimed at the African-American market, I'm about as white bread as you can get and I think they look good on me. I'm currently breaking in a pair:

I went kind of plain and conservative since they're for the office.

I also like Bostonians though they do take a while to break in and can be noisy.

 

[The Irish One]

Whatever you do, don't buy Steve Madden, YUCK.

 

[BKM]

My mother bought me a pair of Italian-made Banana Republic shoes for Christmas. Nice and very comfortable, but I am a little worried about their longevity.

 

[Habanero]

Kenneth Cole's are nice. Made in Italy, I think...

Kenneth Cole shoes tend to have a taller heel than most men's shoes, so they're good for those of us who are a bit on the short side.

I like Stacy Adams shoes. Some of the designs are a bit guady but most are dressy with a bit of an urban flair. Though they are aimed at the African-American market, I'm about as white bread as you can get and I think they look good on me. I'm currently breaking in a pair:

I went kind of plain and conservative since they're for the office.

I also like Bostonians though they do take a while to break in and can be noisy.

While I do like the style of Kenneth Cole James' pair have not held up and he's only had them a 4-5 months. I'm going to try to take them in as they need to be re-heeled, if that will fix the peeling problem at the heel.

My vote is to go with something a little funkier than traditional.

 

[biscuit]

While I do like the style of Kenneth Cole James' pair have not held up and he's only had them a 4-5 months. I'm going to try to take them in as they need to be re-heeled, if that will fix the peeling problem at the heel.

My vote is to go with something a little funkier than traditional.

You're right about them not holding up too well, which is a shame because Kenneth Cole does make a good looking moderately priced shoe. I've had several pairs, none of which have lasted more than two years. Granted I'm rough on shoes but not that rough.

One Italian made shoe that I've never had durability issues with is Florsheim. They produce some decent casual to dress shoes that have held up to wear and tear pretty well.

 

[donk]

2 years out of a pair of shoes that you only wear 2-3 days a week is not good. Remember that for shoes to last they need a break, try not to wear them everyday.

My brown wingtips are 8 years old and still kicking, my black oxfords are about 4 years old and just breaking in nicely.

I'll probably stay away from Kenneth Cole shoes, if they wear out in 2 years.

Habanero resoles and reheels usually last longer than the originals, especially if you do them before they damage the lasts. Good shoe repair places can fix shoes to better than original. One thing I'll miss from here is 2 good shoes repair places.

On styling, I am more of a round toe shoe person than a square or pointy toed person.

 

[nuovorecord]

And now for something completely different...

Have you considered a pair of Danskos? Made in Denmark, supremely comfortable, good quality. They're clogs, though, so not quite the Kenneth Cole look.

I've got a pair of KCs that are 5 years old and still look great. I wear them once a week, still have the original heel/sole.

Diesel shoes are pretty hip, as well.

A person can't have too many pairs of shoes, IMHO. Shirts are pretty much shirts, pants are pretty much pant, but shoes are where you can really make a personality statement!

 

[BKM]

I have severe pronation (they used to take photos of my feet for "case studies" at an orthopedic shoe store my mom used to drag me to when I was a kid). And, I tend to shuffle and scuff things up a bit, so I am pretty horrible on shoes.

I think I'll look into Eccos. I also liked the U.S.-made Red Wing pair for durability, but they were kinda expensive and not as comfortable as my cheap Chinese-made Skeechers or the Banana Republic ones.

 

[BKM]

I don't know about shirts, though. I get a lot of comments about the shirts I just bought.

God, we all sound like we're auditioning for that one stupid show.