Dress Shoes- looking for something new.

[Stupid-GTi]

Does anyone have suggestions on nicer dress shoes? I'm liking me some Church's. If they're good enough for James Bond, etc, etc.

[osiris]

Church's are pretty outstanding. Crockett & Jones and Carmina are also very good, in that same price range. John Lobb, Edward Green, in the next bracket up. Alden and Allen Edmonds in the next price range down.

What kind of dress shoe are you looking for?

[marialeon]

Firstly tell us that what kind of dress shoes are you looking for ? You should try to search it on google for online shopping sites. It will help you a lot.

[Neb]

Church's are pretty outstanding. Crockett & Jones and Carmina are also very good, in that same price range. John Lobb, Edward Green, in the next bracket up. Alden and Allen Edmonds in the next price range down.

What kind of dress shoe are you looking for?

This is a good start.

[The Ninja]

I own two pairs of Allen Edmonds and have been very happy with them. I have a pair of bit loafers (Verona) and Wingtips (Chesters). The build quality for the cost is excellent. Getting ready to send the Chesters in to be recrafted.

[teutonicgoodness]

If you want to spend some money, I highly recommend Prada's classic leather oxfords. No fussing around here, just excellent Italian craftsmanship. $650, but I have been wearing them for over 2 years and they were comfortable from day one, no break-in needed, and I haven't needed to re-sole them or anything.

[bigmatty123]

Salvatore ferragamo's

[osiris]

If you want to spend some money, I highly recommend Prada's classic leather oxfords. No fussing around here, just excellent Italian craftsmanship. $650, but I have been wearing them for over 2 years and they were comfortable from day one, no break-in needed, and I haven't needed to re-sole them or anything.

There are much better options for that amount of money.

[torxim]

There are much better options for that amount of money.

This. In general stay away from the high end fashion labels, quality isn't close to what it should be for what you are paying.


osiris gave a great start in his initial response here.

I can vouch for Edward Green, Crockett and Jones and Church's all being great shoes, no personal experience with the others mentioned. You really should to go to their shops to find out what last your foot goes with before going down that road though.

[::xander::]

ferragamos and allen edmonds. Unless you go bespoke these 2 should fit all your needs imo

[Seabird]

I think Allen Edmonds are the best made factory shoe available. Not the most expensive - just the best made. Their shankless and fully welted design alone puts them above anyone else, IMO. I sold men's shoes in college and promised myself that one day when I felt like I could afford it, I buy them for myself.

I just picked these up last week:



Heading back to the store for these this afternoon after work:

[robr2]

A pair of Allen Edmonds or Johnston & Murphys will last you a lifetime with proper care and style selection.

[::xander::]

A pair of Allen Edmonds or Johnston & Murphys will last you a lifetime with proper care and style selection.

I think johnston and murphys USED to be really good but are now being sold with the same reputation but the quality has gone way down.

IMO

[Seabird]

I think johnston and murphys USED to be really good but are now being sold with the same reputation but the quality has gone way down.

IMO

Agreed. I actually heard this complaint 20 years ago when I was selling them.

[robr2]

I think johnston and murphys USED to be really good but are now being sold with the same reputation but the quality has gone way down.

IMO

Really? Well I have a pair from the 90's still going strong.

[evosky]

i have a pair of walnut AE McAllisters that are basically your quintessential wingtip brogue:


as others have said, AE shoes are really good value-for-money.

if you're looking to spend a bit more on well-known brands, look at Loake, Church's, or Crockett & Jones

of course, there are tons of boutique shoemakers out there that will make you a shoe of incredible quality at comparable prices to the high-end designers. you just have to find them

[Junius Spencer]

Wife bought these Allen Edmonds for me this summer. I want the same pair in black.

[osiris]

Get some socks that match your trousers first.

[MochaMike]

You could go balls out and get some Gaziano & Girling. I just got my first pair of Carminas, albeit boots, I'm very excited about them. I also plan to treat myself to a pair of Crockett and Jones by end of this year.

[OG]

Maybe not the best pictures, but here is some inspiration, for good or bad. Some dress shoes that I have collected over the last 4-5 years. A well-made shoe will last many years; I have a rubber liner applied to the leather sole at my local shoe guy (cobbler is so out of style).

To be honest, I am not fond of the rounded toe look. However, the Allen Edmonds that people post in this thread look quite appealing.

The black shoe in the following picture is from 2003 or 2004. I don't wear it too often since it's a bit tight on my foot.



Another view:



These are cheaper alternatives from DSW. In the 60 to 100 range:

[OG]

By the way, does Suede count?

[Neb]

You need shoe trees asap.

[bubbagti]

Johnston & Murphys will last you a lifetime with proper care and style selection.

I was going to suggest Johnston and Murphy as well. I have a couple of pairs that are ~12 years old, and they look like they did the day I got them. They wear very well, and are some of the most comfortable shoes I own, dress shoes or otherwise.

I haven't heard about the decline in quality, but I also haven't purchased a new pair of dress shoes in years

[dubjager]

I've been looking to add to my collection and these has been a great thread!

Definitely liking Allen Edmonds a lot!

[osiris]

By the way, does Suede count?

By definition, no, suede does not qualify as a "dress" shoe.

[enzo1187]

Love my Allen Edmonds! I own the burnished brown Kenilworth's just like these. Very versatile, works with a suit or a pair of jeans.




This video should put you over the top, and have you completely sold on the brand

[torxim]

Following OG's lead, here is some more for inspiration/guidance. Mix of things in here from Johnston & Murphy to Church's to Edward Green.



For some backup to the earlier statements recommending to stay away from Prada/etc, the two pairs on the bottom row at the far right are both Prada. I stopped bothering to use trees in them after four years of ownership because they just didn't hold up well to time. The two pairs of shoes on the far left of the bottom row and the far right in the top row were purchased before the Pradas were and at this point have been worn just as much.

Look for a shoe made of full grain leather, not corrected grain.