Help me with dress shoes...

[eastcoastrider27]

I know next to nothing about dress shoes, so please inform me.

What brands are good?

What styles are there? Cordovan? Oxford?

[englandmj7]

Whoah dude......so much info. to give.

This should answer virtually all of your questions:

http://styleforum.pbwiki.com/Shoes

Also, try these other posts from the other SF:

Shoe pictorial index:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=18298

List of links to high-end shoes:

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=12201

[eastcoastrider27]

Damn, that's a lot more info that I could have expected. Thanks.

[jo3 b]

if you could give some specifications as to colors and styles, i could kinda help.

do your research first. its interesting as heck.

[mwrenchd]

Yeah, definitely just read a little and browse online or at an upscale department store to get a sense of what you like.

A couple rules to keep in mind though:

Numero uno! - no chunky rubber soles (i.e. no Rockport, Timberland, etc)

2. No tassled loafers unless you wear your cellphone on your belt and like to chill on the golf course

3. Ok, a serious rule. Go for welted shoes, not cemented. That way the sole can be replaced by a good cobbler, greatly extending the life of your shoe.

Other than that, there's plenty in terms of styles and shoemakers to pick from. The bulk of fine men's shoes are Italian but there are plenty of other good shoemakers too.

As far as brands to recommend-

Reliable & accessible, tend more traditional & functional: Alden, Bostonian, Florsheim, Johnston & Murphy.

Alfred Sargent, Allen-Edmonds, Bruno Magli, Tricker's & Cole Haan are very nice too and not too hard to find. A little more expensive than the above.

After that, there is a world of higher-end shoemakers to check out. I really dig Santoni, which Nordstroms sometimes carry, but it's hard to get their better collections in the States.

For some real shoe porn, check out Bontoni, Lattanzi, Ugolini, Vass.

[Carl]

Stay away from Cole Haan. Thats some ugly ass shit.

Good advice so far and the only bit i have to add is: www.ebay.com

You can find some unbelievable deals.

[mwrenchd]

Stay away from Cole Haan.

Agreed, the quality went downhill after they were acquired by Nike a few years back. However, I think their classic oxfords and bluchers are fine shoes (not the air whatevers though). In fact I have a pair that I still like and wear occasionally. I'll try to work it into a WDYWT today post sometime.

That said, didn't mean to give the wrong impression by including in the same sentence as Bruno Magli...

[mwrenchd]

Not a huge step up maybe so but pretty good and easy to find.

I think Loake makes the CH Collection shoes. But they make even better shoes under their own name.

Oh and duh, Ferragamo are slick and easy to find.