Shoes that look better with age...

[jkbrwn]

Not a brogue guy anymore unfortunately. Have a pair of Trickers x Engineered Garments brogues and not my vibe. Similarly, spending several hundreds of dollars on one time a year shoes just doesn’t make sense to me. 

I had a pair of Color 8 shell Alden Long Wings and some Moc Bluchers. They both went well with jeans or a suit, but too small…

Good shout on Moto @julian-wolf - this is just the kind of thing versatility I was hoping for. Their #2510 and #2511 - or something similar - would work perfectly.

 

[ATWM]

37 minutes ago, jkbrwn said:

Similarly, spending several hundreds of dollars on one time a year shoes just doesn’t make sense to me. 

I’d agree with that for sure. I went with Allen Edmonds factory seconds a long time ago. Nothing as nice what’s usually discussed here but I always feel like they fit the bill the best in those sorts of situations and am always happy I have them. In hindsight, absolutely money well spent. In terms of quality, sort of like the modern 501 STF of the denim world. Totally serviceable and even good for most people in most purposes.

Some of those Motos do indeed look nice - I have a pair of Red Wing postmans that I quite like but I struggle to figure out how to wear them - I think with most jeans they don’t feel quite right, often feels like an awkward clash of vibes - and then they’re a little too hefty to feel like they dress up well.

But, and I think I’ve said elsewhere, that in general I don’t think jeans really dress up that well in general - for instance sport jackets and dressy shoes with them, something about that just feels so corporate trying to be not corporate. I never could feel like I pull it off personally at least (unless the sport jacket is denim too, then I try! Haha)

Edited March 22 by ATWM

[jkbrwn]

All fair points @ATWM - it’d be less about trying to dress jeans up - I agree that looks a bit shit - and more just leaning into wearing a pair of loafers very casually. 
 

and yeah, I’ve had some AE tassel loafers before and they were great. Gonna go check out their factory section right now. I struggle with loafers though - 95% of them are so ugly. 

[Hopethisoneisnttaken]

Then that’s a no for brogues for sure. I completely agree that there’s no need to spend as much if you’re not wearing them. 
 

I personally love MOTOs shoe offerings, and would’ve ordered a pair myself long ago if they had wide sizes. 
 

there’s also the option of the recently discovered KOTOKA brand, which can be ordered via fromjapan. 
 

Maybe check out Brother Bridge as well.

For what it’s worth I probably live in the most informally dressed country in the world, where people that wear suits are either lawyers or grooms, so hopefully my recommendations suit the occasion.  

[Talan]

I love my black Tricker's Bourton brogues so much, I’m considering wearing them with shorts—just waiting for the day I can start a new trend of “formal beachwear.” Who says you can’t look sharp while getting a tan? 😎

Seriously, I feel like strictly following style rules isn’t as important nowadays. Moto boots could be a good option; maybe sleek Chelseas? My R.M. Williams are quite versatile.

[MJF9]

@jkbrwn imo with a nice suit, dressier shoes will keep it looking nice... the wrong shoe could ruin the suit... it's not possible to be half pregnant 

To wear with both suit and casually.... I have these Alden Bronco Blutchers on a military 379x last... work well with a suit just about and can also be dressed down with stuff like WW2 jeans, white socks of course and a Sun Surf shirt... I see the price has risen and is ott... so Sanders military derby is worth a look though I've never tried them on

[julian-wolf]

9 hours ago, Talan said:

I love my black Tricker's Bourton brogues so much, I’m considering wearing them with shorts—just waiting for the day I can start a new trend of “formal beachwear.”

I’m sure I’ve worn my Bourtons with shorts at least a few times. Honestly, I think this feels more unnatural than it would to wear them with a suit, besides maybe a lighter color linen or seersucker number. Since when are brogues at all formal??

Edited March 22 by julian-wolf
Said the opposite of what I meant

[Double 0 Soul]

Designed for the working classes if i remember rightly.. the small holes are to let water out while working in waterlogged conditions.. for folks working out in the fields.

[Maynard Friedman]

I think they’re formal when they have a refined (rather than blunt) toe, single leather sole and are polished well to a high shine.

[Double 0 Soul]

I always remember Crat would shine the shit out of the toe of his brogues to an almost mirror finish.. then go trout fishing in them.. someone on the forum commented.. "why on earth would you go fishing in formal shoes?!"  and he replied.. "that's what they were designed for you idiot"

[MJF9]

Multi functional clothing ftw!

[mlwdp]

Jelado offers a engineer boot

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHiOYPbT-uz/?img_index=2&igsh=dmNnZ2JoeXNmMnVk

 

[jkbrwn]

Food for thought. Thanks everyone. Ended up ordering some dark brown suede ivy loafers from Morjas. For sure wearable with more than just a suit which is what I wanted. Would've liked the Drake's Charles loafer in dark brown suede but too rich for my blood.

Edited March 24 by jkbrwn

[chicote]

Flat head engineers, before treatment.. getting a little bit beat up, lol..

Interesting how grey / washed out the inside shafts of both boots are, think it’s from being pressed against motorcycle engines, but not sure..

[julian-wolf]

Russell Vellies back in rotation with a new set of laces

[spidereye]

Supersole are comfortable 

[Well27]

They look nice! What brand is that? Or is it Red Wing which has been resoled?

[reubensangwich]

15 minutes ago, Well27 said:

They look nice! What brand is that? Or is it Red Wing which has been resoled?

Looks to be a standard RW offering. From the Red Wing Berlin site.

[spidereye]

47 minutes ago, Well27 said:

They look nice! What brand is that? Or is it Red Wing which has been resoled?

This Red wing Supersole Japan colorway ..the most comfortable RW boots are supersole feel like wearing foamy sneakers.

[spidereye]

Model 8133 

But Japan model you can tell the Red Wings stamp with "s" circa below 2015 issue.

Meanwhile US market with no S..just Red Wing

Edited Thursday at 06:44 PM by spidereye
Add pictures

[Well27]

Cool, thanks guys!

[Alec Leamas]

On 3/24/2025 at 5:36 PM, jkbrwn said:

Food for thought. Thanks everyone. Ended up ordering some dark brown suede ivy loafers from Morjas. For sure wearable with more than just a suit which is what I wanted. Would've liked the Drake's Charles loafer in dark brown suede but too rich for my blood.

They look great!

I was going to say you can't go wrong with a pair of well fitting suede loafers - my ideal recommendation would be the Alden unlined LHS in snuff or dark brown suede...Morjas, Horatio and Meermin all do good versions of these though (as seen there!)

[aho]

Supersole's come up on factory seconds every so often, definitely worth the jump if you know your sizing. Unfortunately none at the moment 
https://berkeleysupply.com/collections/red-wing-heritage-factory-seconds