dress shoes

[BustedS13]

looking for a new pair of dress shoes. i've been wearing the same pair of steve maddens to work for a year now, and they were fine, but now i actually have to walk around and now they suck ass. i'd like something with a level, sneaker-like sole. like a driving shoe or something. i'd like them to cost under $150. most importantly, they have to be comfortable to stand/walk around in. laces, slip on, whatever.

SHOW ME THEM KICKS.

edit: Cole Haan "Air Owen" line? anybody worn these? driving shoes with nike air soles?

http://www.zappos.com/images/737/7373853/6901-535052-p.jpg

oh, and
in before "you should spend a million dollars on shoes" bullshit.

[ESmorz]

http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/bonta/bonta246807_139071_lg.jpg

D&G Eel Skin

You can find them for about 200 if you know where to look.

[ScottMan]

^Those aren't really what I would call dress shoes. Those are driving or casual loafers (which you pointed out). Dress shoes would be something like Alden, Barker Black, Church's, etc. I wear a pair of Johnston & Murphy cap-toes and a pair of Church's cordovan shoes.

If you're looking for loafers, J. Crew has a really nice (but small) line of slip-on loafers that are in your price-range. I'll think some more and post in a few so I can be more helpful. haha

[stiizy]

I have two slip ons that i bought from Saks it's there own brand and they were 60 each....
http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/340/5149/0434051498514/0434051498514_CNERO_275x275.jpg

http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/340/5149/0434051498514/0434051498514_275x275.jpg

[shishcabobers]

You guys need real men shoes, the ones you need to tie. Not the type you slip on like a girly man. :keke:

http://www.zappos.com/images/750/7509268/8521-839771-p.jpg

But seriously I prefer lace up rather than slip on, the only time when slip on comes in handy is when I'm lazy.

[JohnnyDrfiter22]

Check out Aldos and Kenneth Cole collection, i have about 3 aldos and 2 coles, even tho my aldos look a hell of alot better the coles are way more comfortable.

[treken2t87]

Nice, you already know the powers of Cole Haan with the Nike Air soles. I got a pair of these ('Air Jackson' Two Gore Slip-On) a month ago at Nordstroms for quite more than I see them going for online right now. I HIGHLY recommend these shoes. I was wearing Doc Martins most of my life before these and let me tell you....I feel like a shmuk for wearing them as long as I did....Cole Haan 4 LIFE! lOL

[WanganRunner]

I also echo the "lace up only" sentiment. Slip ons are for commercial bankers and insurance salesmen, lol.

If you really want to be a baller, get some John Lobbs:

JOHN LOBB (http://www.johnlobb.com/)


You can either get "ready to wear" or you can have them custom-create for your own foot. The latter option tends to cost like $2600 for the first pair and then about $1200/pr for each thereafter (as first pair includes cost of custom fitting).

And no, I don't buy these fucking ridiculous things, but they're still awesome. If I could afford $1200 dress shoes I'd be in the bathroom of a Monte Carlo casino right now with my face in a bowl of coke. No one buys John Lobbs except for hedge fund managers and, well, hedge fund managers.


In the "real world", I like Johnston & Murphy and Allen Edmonds. They hold up well and they look classic.

[Om1kron]

Kenneth Cole/thread! lol

[S14DB]

Dr. Martens

Vintage 1461-3 Eye
http://www.zappos.com/images/743/7433391/8521-677430-p.jpg

1461-3 Eye
http://www.zappos.com/images/738/7381271/6219-554046-p.jpg

Air soles are so comfy.

[exitspeed]

I have these for my brown and tan work clothes: SteveMadden - NOVO TAN LEATHER men's casual moc slip on (http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=39273)

And these for my black: SteveMadden - TARTANN BRN LEATHER men's dress oxford (http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=44399)

[SoSideways]

I've got some no-name ones, that has sweet OEM padded soles from the factory.

Were pretty cheap, but hey, they are awesome.

[trsilvias13]

I second Cole Haan.

I been working in the professional environment for the last 5 or 6 years. I prefer Cole Haan over lots of shoes.

[sub9lulu]

my $50 rockport holding up pretty decent

[BustedS13]

to guys suggesting barker blacks and other ludicrously expensive shoes that i'd have to FLY TO NEW YORK TO BUY... it's strictly function over form here. i need shoes made out of black leather, that aren't basketball shoes, that i can stand to walk around in for several hours a day. a shoe with a wood and leather sole, even if it costs a million dollars, is still going to be uncomfortable >.<

that said, at some point in my life i'd love to own a pair of barker blacks, they're the sickest dress shoes on earth

edit: wow, i wish Nike had pulled this off better. it's a boat shoe with a Dunk sole

http://a712.g.akamai.net/7/712/225/v978/www.footlocker.com/images/products/zoom/13264221_z.jpg

[Phlip]

Personally, if I am wearing dress shoes, I will wear a real dress shoe...
I have come to prefer Mezlan's shoes, through the time I spent working in a clothing store I used to work for a million years ago... The fact that I still own the shoes that I had when I was working there speaks to their ability to keep up. I also go to this Warehouse Store (http://www.srishoes.com/brands.htm) a block from my brother's crib in town and they have them for a LOT less than retail, since I no longer get the discount from working in the store.

[stiizy]

FLY TO NEW YORK TO BUY...



Nah just PM me and i'll pick it up fa ya:bow:

[blueshark123]

i like pradas but they are more of a show off shoes to say hey look bitch i got pradas on lol

[Agent_S13]

I had a pair of Steve Maddens for work, couldn't wear them longer than 4-5 hours before it started killing me.

Solution - Rockports

They're not fancy, but they've been around forever and they have a ton of benefits

standard style -- nothing that's too fancy
priced reasonably -- $100 or less/pair
light -- hold one and your current Steve Madden, you WILL feel a difference
availability -- everyone sells Rockports
Comfort -- I can wear these for an entire workday and not worry about foot pain (10+ hours)

Rockport - Men: Rockport Carnforth Casual Oxford Mens (http://www.rockport.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3013629&cp=3087296&fbc=1&f=PAD%2FColors%2FBlack&f=PAD%2FMen+Style%2FLace-ups&fbx=0&fbn=Men+Style%7CLace-ups&pg=2&parentPage=family)

Something like that is what I picked up. Was so happy that I got another pair when the first pair wore out (~1 yr).

Well worth it and I don't complain having to stand on the train (well, BART) on the way home from work.

Sure there are more expensive options, but these get the job done and are the best bang for the buck.

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

[revat619]

I only wear dress shoes like once a month for first sunday service at church. It really doesnt matter though since i'm behind a drum set for like 95% of the service....

So yeah, I just go to payless and pick out something black, decent looking and comfortable. If im feeling really spiffy, i wear the shinny dress shoes i forgot to return to some tuxedo place. I couldnt tell you the name of some real dress shoes to save my life.

To put things into perspective, i havent bought dress shoes in over 2 years. The thing is, my dad has a gazillion pairs, so if i reeeeally need some really high quality stuff, i just borrow some of his.

[MegasquirtCA]

Here ya go son, pick which ever they are baller sexy.

Puma Alexander McQueen Radiography's


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii271/pumaallstar/Shoes/IMG_2259.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii271/pumaallstar/IMG_1842.jpg

[ESmorz]

^Those aren't really what I would call dress shoes. Those are driving or casual loafers (which you pointed out)

Well I was just posting something similar in function but way more refined than the picture in OP's first post...

[BustedS13]

http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/bonta/bonta246807_139071_lg.jpg

D&G Eel Skin

You can find them for about 200 if you know where to look.

i don't really lik the toe on that, but shit, eel skin
that's rad

[S14DB]

Hagfish shoes, ohh yeah....

[DUFFM4N]

i almost picked up a pair of these yesterday, which for my style, would be considered dress shoes

eS Holbrooks, they have a sneaker tongue/tongue straps behind that leather tongue...VERY comfortable
http://esfootwear.com/content/products/fall-2008/shoes/holbrook-black-white-burgundy.jpg
http://www.exitrealworld.com/tools_v2/resources/9e55471ba84686ade677ffe595c45992/upload_images/es_holbrook_shoe_brown.jpg

[JoeC1982]

http://www.shoes.com/ProductImages/Shoes_iAEC1012613.jpg

http://www.rockport.com/graphics/product_images/pG01-4018056p275w.png

I picked up both of these at Dillard today for under $50 a pair, the black ones are Born's and the brown are Rockports.

[atom]

All my dress shoes are either Ecco's or Rockports. I also have a pair of hugo boss shoes but they're horrible, worst shoes I've ever owned.

[Bubbles]

I have been thinking about dress shoes lately actually.

I wear sneakers or boots. I am trying to find something that is nice without looking like a pretentious panzy.

[ScottMan]

Well I was just posting something similar in function but way more refined than the picture in OP's first post...
Oh I know, I was responding to the OP. My bad for the confusion.




Also, lots of people who have never been to NYC buy Barker Blacks. :D

Seriously though, my Johnston & Murphy dress cap-toes are more comfortable than my sambas. No joke. My Cole Haan dress shoes aren't very comfortable. Just find what works for you. But I spend 8-9 hours a day walking around in dress shoes, so if they were uncomfortable I'd know.

[mRclARK1]

You guys need real men shoes, the ones you need to tie. Not the type you slip on like a girly man. :keke:

http://www.zappos.com/images/750/7509268/8521-839771-p.jpg

But seriously I prefer lace up rather than slip on, the only time when slip on comes in handy is when I'm lazy.

Same for me. I usually prefer something that comes up around my ankle, but I try to find something that has a lower heel, so it doesn't get to uncomfortable after awhile.

Try findind dress type boots without a big heel on them. That's tricky. haha

[theronin]

it scares me that some of you have no clue what dress shoes are.

[BustedS13]

i really wish i could find a pair of dress boots that didn't look like gay pirate stuff. i hate how dress shoes are so low cut. like low top chuck taylors. just uncomfortable and shitty feeling.

[silviaguy240]

im not sure how strict your job is or if you wear khakis or not..but wallabee's are fucking comfortable and which im sure most clark's shoes would be pretty comfotable too, and ive also heard good things about rockports.

but i wore wallabee's all 4 years of highschool, had 2 pairs. if you walk normal they should last more than two years, but i kinda walk on the outside of my heels and i went through the sole kinda quick, plus i didnt really have em tied that tight and they were dragging most of the time. but shit, they feel good out of the box and just keep getting better as you break them in.

here, all black wallabee's

http://clarks.zappos.com/n/p/dp/42711438/c/72.html