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Men's Dress Shoes

post #1 of 20
7/24/08 at 7:50pm
Thread Starter 
I'm in need of a decent pair of dress shoes for work. I read some Forbes article that says a pair of good men's dress shoes start at $350. Well, I'm not going there.

My current dress/work shoes are Merrells that were about $80. I've been very pleased with the comfort, but they aren't the greatest looking dress shoes in the world.

So what brand or shoe should I look at? I'm willing to pay more than the $80 that I spent on my Merrells, but I want the amount to be more like a pair of shoes rather than a car payment.

Priorities are as follows: 1) Comfort 2) Looks
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post #2 of 20
7/24/08 at 8:40pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

If I were trying to stay at that level, I'd look at L.L. Bean's penny loafers for $99. Bean manages to makes stuff that looks decent without charging a fortune, and most of their footwear comes in wide sizes. I can't vouch for these from personal experience, but they were the first thing I thought of.

Classic Penny Loafers, Rubber Sole: Slip-Ons at L.L.Bean

M.
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post #3 of 20
7/24/08 at 9:15pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

For something a little dressier (lace up) Johnston & Murphy have a good looking shoe for $160.00.
Remember, people will judge you on this choice.

Johnston & Murphy: DOBSON MOC TOE - Black Nappa
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post #4 of 20
7/25/08 at 5:10am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Originally Posted by SethH
I'm in need of a decent pair of dress shoes for work. I read some Forbes article that says a pair of good men's dress shoes start at $350. Well, I'm not going there.

My current dress/work shoes are Merrells that were about $80. I've been very pleased with the comfort, but they aren't the greatest looking dress shoes in the world.

So what brand or shoe should I look at? I'm willing to pay more than the $80 that I spent on my Merrells, but I want the amount to be more like a pair of shoes rather than a car payment.

Priorities are as follows: 1) Comfort 2) Looks
I'm just an engineer, so what do I know? But I buy Florsheim dress shoes at DSW for $80. The latest pair, brown dress, are comfortable and I can wear them all day without problem.

If you're in sales, an executive, or earning $300k a year (or just love shoes), get yourself some $350 dress shoes. Otherwise, buy a nice pair for under a $100.
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post #5 of 20
7/25/08 at 6:38am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Sierra Trading Post - Save 35-70% on Famous Name Brands has some nice dress shoes sometimes.
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post #6 of 20
7/25/08 at 8:48am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Your priorities are the same as mine. I'm wearing a pair of Dockers with the "all motion comfort" feature. Black shoe, lace up. 1.5 years old and still looking good. Paid $120 Canadian at Shoe Warehouse.
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post #7 of 20
7/25/08 at 9:39am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

I like Rockports. I realize they have the Vibram soles and they do not have the dressier leather soles, but they are light weight and last a long time if you take care of them.
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post #8 of 20
7/25/08 at 10:07am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Gale
For something a little dressier (lace up) Johnston & Murphy have a good looking shoe for $160.00.
Remember, people will judge you on this choice.

Johnston & Murphy: DOBSON MOC TOE - Black Nappa

I'm wearing a very similar pair of Johnston & Murphys right now and they are quite comfortable (just don't plan on walking too far in them).

If you want to invest in good dress shoes, be sure to find yourself a good cobbler. I've had a few pairs of shoes (notably some Kenneth Coles) that I've had resoled 3+ times. As long as the uppers are looking good, you can normally have this done for far less than the price of a new pair, and if your guy is any good, they'll look and feel like new.

My experience with $300+ shoes is limited, as the one pair I paid that much money for (Bruno Maglis) had to be returned almost immediately after I bought them because of a broken clasp. I find that most shoes from around $120 to $250 are just fine. Cheaper ones tend to be much harsher on the feet, and don't normally look as good. I wouldn't bother paying much more than $300 unless I were going to have them custom made.
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post #9 of 20
7/25/08 at 11:01am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

I wear Allen Edmunds that I bought at an outlet Mall. If you have an outlet mall near by, you can definalty find some well made shoes for good prices and usually from many makers (Cole Hahn, Johnston Murphy, Bass, etc.).
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post #10 of 20
7/25/08 at 2:14pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Originally Posted by KurtEP
If you want to invest in good dress shoes, be sure to find yourself a good cobbler.

Though I wear boots, I can't agree more with this statement. Some of my favorite footwear has been re-heeled, new tips, new soles, etc..for the last fifteen years (about ten times) and they still look like new on top and have become more comfortable over the years. If the lasts (sp) are well made, good foorwear can last almost forever.

Mort
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post #11 of 20
7/25/08 at 5:59pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
...the one pair I paid that much money for (Bruno Maglis)...


[OJ] You'd wear those ugly-ass shoes?? [/OJ]


Jon
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post #12 of 20
7/25/08 at 6:59pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon_Are
[OJ] You'd wear those ugly-ass shoes?? [/OJ]
Jon

Thought you were being harsh, until I went to the site and saw the "Men's Collection.

As we've heard, "Beauty is in the eye of the Pimp."

Well, it was something like that.
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post #13 of 20
7/25/08 at 8:25pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

I’ve not read the Forbes article, but here is another vote for Allen Edmonds. A pair at suggested retail costs in the neighborhood of $300, but you should be able to find them for well under $200,

Once I bought my first pair, I never bought any other kind (for work). They are by far the most comfortable dress shoes I ever owned—and they last a very long time (making the cost actually not too bad). The best combination of looks and comfort for business I found.

I still have several pair, but now I mostly just buy good waking shoes, hiking boots and loafers.
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post #14 of 20
7/26/08 at 5:39pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Thought you were being harsh...

The "Ugly-Ass Shoes" comment was a reference to OJ Simson. During his trial, the prosecuters made a connection between the murderer and a pair of Bruno Magli shoes, which he said OJ wore. To which Simpson replied, "I wouldn't wear those ugly-ass shoes!"

Jon
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post #15 of 20
7/27/08 at 9:06am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Gale
Thought you were being harsh, until I went to the site and saw the "Men's Collection.

As we've heard, "Beauty is in the eye of the Pimp."

Well, it was something like that.

I got the joke right away, but I've got to admit that there isn't much in their current lineup that I'd buy. For whatever reason, there aren't a lot of what I'd consider good looking dress shoes out there today. I refuse to spend good money on shoes that look like crap, however, so it looks like I'll just have to lower my expectations. Of course, If I ever find that pair of Mezlans I lost in my recent move, I'll be back in business.
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post #16 of 20
7/28/08 at 12:00pm

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

I buy stuff from SierraTradingPost all the time, they have some good coupons out every now and then and they have a very good return policy too.

i wouldn't spend $350 on any pair of shoes. Heck, my double plastic mountaineering boots weren't even $350 and I would depend on my feet for getting off the mountains in winter..

Jay
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post #17 of 20
7/29/08 at 6:33am

Re: Men's Dress Shoes

Well Jay, I can’t argue about shoes saving my life, but when back when I worked, I was in my (dress) shoes 10–14 hours a day. Comfortable shoes that looked good were at least as important as my hiking boots that I wore only on the odd weekend (though much more often now).
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post #18 of 20
4/19/11 at 3:05am

When I buy shoes there are two things I look for.  

First - I hate leather soles.   I avoid them.   Rubber soles are much better.  They don't slip, don't 'click' when I walk and are more gentle on the feet.

Second: I look for soles which are stitched on, not glued.   This will usually take you to the next price level but is well worth it.  The glue is most often where a shoe fails, so stitching is superior - plus with stitching the sole is easier to replace.  

Beyond that I really don't care much.    I do prefer shoes which are laces vs slip on.   That is about it.  I usually spend $100-$200 for my shoes.  

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post #19 of 20
4/27/11 at 6:31pm

Funny how we all develop our own likes/dislikes.

 

Eric_L and I match one out of three. Stitching I agree with, no glue.

 

But I also love leather everything and slip ons, hate lace up shoes. Clicking is more from the heel.

 

Main thing is look for quality and a good fit. Nothing squeaky, they can be a little snug since leather stretches a bit and no wingtips unless you're 55 or older, terribly aging shoes.

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post #20 of 20
4/27/11 at 8:55pm

I really like my Cole Haan shoes. They have Nike Air soles and very confortable. 

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