mens dress shoe advice Forum

[Mick Haller]

If you want something a little cheaper, Cole Haan makes nice, really comfortable dress shoes. You can find them for ~100 at Nordstrom rack. I got a nice brown pair for 70$ at the Saks outlet in Milpitas.

[nevdash]

If you want something a little cheaper, Cole Haan makes nice, really comfortable dress shoes. You can find them for ~100 at Nordstrom rack. I got a nice brown pair for 70$ at the Saks outlet in Milpitas.

Said a horny young girl from Milpitas,
"My favorite sport is the coitus."
But a sprinter from State
made her period late,
and now she has athlete's fetus.

But seriously, +1 on Cole Haans. I'm a fan of the plain toe: http://www.zappos.com/cole-haan-air-mad ... st=fcl%3A0

[Ness Lee]

These are some expensive ass shoes. I've never spent 50 dollars on a pair of shoes ever. Should I invest in these 300+ dollar shoes you are all suggesting?

[RELIC]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

[nonprofit-prophet]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

I get it, ya don't want to get outed for wearing cheap shoes.

[Jsa725]

No one is looking at your shoes.

This is not true. I know many attorneys and businessmen that can peg a person by looking at his shoes, suit, knot, and watch... Gotta know who you are dealing with

Protip (from a successful trial attorney): don't wear an expensive watch during a jury trial... You don't want the jury thinking you are some rich attorney, you want them on your side, a man of the people ... Wear a sports watch or something low key

[portaprokoss]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

I said get something like the Brooks Brothers shoes, and posted them as examples. Any 1) non-patent-leather captoe, 2) in black or brown, 3) without a ton on perforation, 4) and with thin leather soles is fine. Some people spend more on shoes and replace them less often; some people spend less on shoes and replace them more often. Personally, I buy mediocre suits (but get them well tailored), wear cheap shirts, and quality shoes and ties. I don't spend a fortune. I don't look cheap. And I don't look ostentatious.

[bk1]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

I get it, ya don't want to get outed for wearing cheap shoes.

[romothesavior]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

Don't abuse anon to post nonsense.

I guarantee you that anyone with a semblance of fashion sense can tell your shoes are crap from a quick glance. Shoes are the easiest men's article to discern cheap vs. expensive. I can also guarantee you that if they don't look worn and crummy yet, they will soon. And I can guarantee you that once its all said and done, my Aldens and Edmonds will last longer and will be a better financial investment than your $50 shoes.

[Jimbo_Jones]

I guarantee you that anyone with a semblance of fashion sense can tell your shoes are crap from a quick glance. Shoes are the easiest men's article to discern cheap vs. expensive. I can also guarantee you that if they don't look worn and crummy yet, they will soon. And I can guarantee you that once its all said and done, my Aldens and Edmonds will last longer and will be a better financial investment than your $50 shoes.

I agree with all of this.

[JamesDean1955]

I guarantee you that anyone with a semblance of fashion sense can tell your shoes are crap from a quick glance. Shoes are the easiest men's article to discern cheap vs. expensive. I can also guarantee you that if they don't look worn and crummy yet, they will soon. And I can guarantee you that once its all said and done, my Aldens and Edmonds will last longer and will be a better financial investment than your $50 shoes.

I agree with all of this.

+1. I've worked in both finance and biglaw (non-attorney I'm an 0L) and this is absolutely credited in both the business and legal industries.

Edited for shitty grammar.

[Antrim]

Not a huge fan of these, but they're probably the best you'll find for under 150 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnston-Murphy-M ... and+murphy

Got these for OCI. It worked out.

[jmjones]

To the ones you posted: fuck no.

To the one posted by the other anon user: maybe. The toebox looks weird to me but it might be the photo, and I think the best cheap shoe is something from Bostonian.

This is dealt with in-depth here: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 23&t=63606

Good use of the anon feature though bros.

Fuck no is TTCR.

[Antrim]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

Don't abuse anon to post nonsense.

I guarantee you that anyone with a semblance of fashion sense can tell your shoes are crap from a quick glance. Shoes are the easiest men's article to discern cheap vs. expensive. I can also guarantee you that if they don't look worn and crummy yet, they will soon. And I can guarantee you that once its all said and done, my Aldens and Edmonds will last longer and will be a better financial investment than your $50 shoes.

This is all correct, but not everyone has $$$$ to invest in shoes among other things as a 1/2L. Now that I know I'll have some income yea I'm upgrading to real shoes, but back then I (and many other 1Ls going into OCI) simply don't have the resources to buy top-notch everything, so I got what looked best in the short run to look passable for the week.

[dood]

Okay the shoes posted in the OP were terrible. But paying 200-400 for fucking shoes is just stupid. No one is looking at your shoes. I have used 40-80 dress shoes for the last two summers and it worked out great. No one notices what the brand is as long as the style is right. Just don't buy really crappy shoes and no one will be able to tell the difference.

LOL at posting Brooks Brothers shoes. What a waste of money. If you are a partner or an associate that has paid their student loans off then go nuts and splurge on BB shoes. Otherwise get some quality knock offs and put your money towards your loans.

Don't abuse anon to post nonsense.

I guarantee you that anyone with a semblance of fashion sense can tell your shoes are crap from a quick glance. Shoes are the easiest men's article to discern cheap vs. expensive. I can also guarantee you that if they don't look worn and crummy yet, they will soon. And I can guarantee you that once its all said and done, my Aldens and Edmonds will last longer and will be a better financial investment than your $50 shoes.

This is all correct, but not everyone has $$$$ to invest in shoes among other things as a 1/2L. Now that I know I'll have some income yea I'm upgrading to real shoes, but back then I (and many other 1Ls going into OCI) simply don't have the resources to buy top-notch everything, so I got what looked best in the short run to look passable for the week.

poster asked about shoes for an associate. if you're a 1/2L, i absolutely 100% agree with you. and nobody can hate on bostonian for its limited purpose use. but an associate should consider something a little nicer.

[Mick Haller]

These are some expensive ass shoes. I've never spent 50 dollars on a pair of shoes ever. Should I invest in these 300+ dollar shoes you are all suggesting?

If you do any amount of walking, your feet will be killing you in 50$ shoes. I think you can get by on 50$ slacks and 40$ shirts, but nice shoes are essential.

[09042014]

I somehow got a scratch on my nice shoes I bought for OCI, right above the toes. It's pretty noticeable. Only option is to buy new ones right? What blows is that I'm business casual day to day, so I don't even have to wear these shoes very often, but I have to have a pair.

[Tiago Splitter]

poster asked about shoes for an associate. if you're a 1/2L, i absolutely 100% agree with you. and nobody can hate on bostonian for its limited purpose use. but an associate should consider something a little nicer.

This is totally reasonable, but the distinction is rarely made in these kinds of threads. 1L's gearing up for OCI have more than two years to go until they actually start at a firm full time, if they even land the job at all. There is no need for someone in that situation to get a single pair of $300 shoes, much less multiple pairs.

[Joe Quincy]

I somehow got a scratch on my nice shoes I bought for OCI, right above the toes. It's pretty noticeable. Only option is to buy new ones right? What blows is that I'm business casual day to day, so I don't even have to wear these shoes very often, but I have to have a pair.

http://www.hangerproject.com/blog/how-t ... hed-shoes/ or take them to a cobbler who can do it for you with the more professional-grade stuff. Sometimes you can just fill the scratch completely with kiwi polish (make it into a wet paste first) and let it harden, then brush, then shine like normal.

[Anonymous User]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

[Randomnumbers]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

A) Brave brave use of anon.

B) Always either buy cheap or nice. Going middle of the road is the biggest waste of money ever.

[nonprofit-prophet]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

If you're trying to stay under 150, go with the Melton from Johnston and Murphy.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnston-Murphy-M ... B000UUGZN6

[JamesDean1955]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

If you're trying to stay under 150, go with the Melton from Johnston and Murphy.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnston-Murphy-M ... B000UUGZN6

Are those significantly inferior to the AE Park Ave's?

[nonprofit-prophet]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

If you're trying to stay under 150, go with the Melton from Johnston and Murphy.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnston-Murphy-M ... B000UUGZN6

Are those significantly inferior to the AE Park Ave's?

Well, the leather is not even close to AE quality.

[Jimbo_Jones]

OP here, it sounds like most people are recommending Aldens and Edmonds. I have loans for both law school and UG, so I'm looking to minimizing the cost while still "getting it right." Is this pair ok?


1. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-New ... en+Edmonds
2. http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Edmonds-Pro ... en+Edmonds

If you're trying to stay under 150, go with the Melton from Johnston and Murphy.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnston-Murphy-M ... B000UUGZN6

Are those significantly inferior to the AE Park Ave's?

Melton's are corrected grain whereas the Park Ave is full grain, so it won't be as durable or look as nice.