sartorial observations: do shoes make the man?

[gaseousclay]

the wife and I went to an annual fundraiser lastnight which required both of use to dress appropriately. we get to the event at 4pm and she had volunteered to help out before guests started arriving. the social hour didn't start til 5, so I told her I wasn't gonna stand around until people started coming. so, I wandered off a few blocks in the downtown area and stopped by a men's clothier that happens to carry Alden, AE and a couple italian brand shoes. I was browsing the store when one of the salesmen asks if I need help. I told him no but then asked him what styles of Alden they carried. we began talking about shoe brands and during our conversation I noticed he kept looking down at my feet. I wasn't too self-conscious about it but I did find it peculiar that he kept looking at my shoes. why do salesmen do this? when I made my way back to the social hour of the fundraiser I caught myself doing the exact same thing, but I tried being tactful about it. I did notice that the majority of men at this event didn't bother shining their shoes, quite a few couldn't color coordinate and some wore badly fitted suits. I think I was the only person sporting a pocket square though

so how many of you inspect another man's shoes, either from afar or when you're talking to them? does it change your impression of them as a person?

 

[mmack66]

I personally think it is foolish to judge a person by any article of clothing or footwear they might be wearing, or how they are wearing it, but I know I am in the minority on that one.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I can definately understand the shoe salesman checking out your shoes, he sells shoes for a living. I'm sure he was trying to figure out what manufacturer and style of shoe you are wearing and how well you take care of them. I'm sure he takes his shoes very seriously, to say the least.

I ride the subway to work everyday and find myself inspecting all aspects of men's wardrobes on my 45 minute commute. Not passing judgment, just curious how many people care. I find myself inspecting shoes, quality of suits, whether gentlemen are wearing the correct knots with certain collars and how many gentlemen actually care about their appearance. I have to remind myself not to stare.

My conclusion is that two of the most important aspects of looking your best are the most ignored, tailoring and shoe care. No one polishes their shoes anymore and I see men who have mud on the side of their dress shoes. I also see a lot of ill fitting saggy suits. A tailor is mans best friend.

To keep this short, I will not get into the lack of attention to details. I think I'm the only who wears cuff links and tie bars.

 

[johnniegold]

I would be worried if the shoe salesman wasn't looking at my shoes when I walk into a higher-end shoe store.

Although he may look to see the quality of shoes you are currently wearing, a true salesman is looking at the style of shoe you're are wearing and how they are wearing on your foot. Do you require a lower or higher vamp on your foot (which do you prefer). The type of wear and tear on the soles. Do you wear out the outside of your heels, the back of your heels? Maybe a double-outsole is a better for you. I welcome the inspection (if the salesman is truly knowledgeable.)

If he wants to just try to sell me the most expensive shoes in the store I am quickly able to discern that and tell him I don't require his assistance at this time, ask his name, and tell him if I have any questions I will ask him.

As for judging someone on their wardrobe... Judging them on what? Personal style points? Ok. That's interesting for my personal assessment.

Whether they are intelligent or unintelligent? A good person, a bad person. Never. That, imo, is the misstep of a fool.

I was in court and an attorney had tape around his shoe so as to keep the sole attached to the rest of the shoe.
Made some great legal arguments even if his toes were feeling a bit of a draft.

For me, my personal appearance is just a matter of pride and taking the time required to make a presentable appearance which exhibits a sense of pride without going over the top so as to give an appearance of vanity.

I am always a firm-believer in the tried and true staples in a man's wardrobe including proper shoe-care.

For me, understated elegance has always been the cornerstone of a man's wardrobe rather than the trendy or fashion-conscience pieces.

The foundation of which is good shoes. The best that you can afford and shoe trees and a horse-hair brush.

And yes, keep them polished. Whether you do it yourself or have a place nearby that does it, it will lengthen the life of the leather thereby making your investment a sound one.

 

[Doc4]

As for judging someone on their wardrobe... Judging them on what? Personal style points? Ok. That's interesting for my personal assessment.

Whether they are intelligent or unintelligent? A good person, a bad person. Never. That, imo, is the misstep of a fool.

Call me a fool Ishmael, call me a fool.

find myself inspecting all aspects of men's wardrobes on my 45 minute commute. Not passing judgment, just curious how many people care.

Of course you were passing jugment, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I personally think it is foolish to judge a person by any article of clothing or footwear they might be wearing, or how they are wearing it, but I know I am in the minority on that one.

I doubt that you are in the minority. (IMHO I'd add an 'unfortunately' there.) There seems today to be almost a 'cult' of anti-appearance-snobbery. We're all supposed to believe that it doesn't matter at all what someone is wearing and we are to 'look beyond' that and see 'the real person within' and all that jazz.

Hogwash.

We are all presenting ourselves to the world ... 'this is who I am' ... and if 'who one is' includes 'a lazy baft@rd who can't be bothered to pollish one's shoes or get one's suit properly tailored' then one has no one to blame but one's self for that.

I suspect that what we have is a hold-over from the 'bad old days' of when we saw real social class distinctions reflected in everyday dress, and some pretty severe discrimination flowing from that. Flashback to your favourite hollywood stereotype scene of uppercrust WASP snobs mocking someone for wearing 'that shirt' or 'those shoes' ... remember how easy it was to hate Biff and Muffy, and recognise them as the villains of the movie where the working-class stiff struggling against class discrimination was the hero ... and you know what I mean.

And of course mocking someone because the leather shoes he's wearing are $50 Cole Haan rather than $1000 Edward Green ... well of course that's assinine. But if either of the two guys wearing those shoes can't be bothered to polish them, I reserve the right to think to myself ... 'can't polish his shoes ... humph.'

It's not about who can afford the expensive stuff and who can't but about who can pull the elements together and who can't regardless of the price.

But nowadays, I'm afraid, far too often the cry of "don't judge a book by its cover" isn't meant to protect those who can't afford upper class attire, but to protect the lazy. We're not talking about price snobbery or name brand bragging, but about attention to detail at any pricerange ... did I bother to shine my shoes? Anyone can afford the $4 tin of polish. Did I bother to have my suit properly tailored? And did I pick the right size suit to begin with? It't not about who can afford what, but about whether or not they are paying attention and making an effort, and far too often nowadays people don't. That's why we see people shopping at Walmart in their PJs, and riding the plane in sweatpants. "But it's comfy! Can't you see I'm still a good person underneath?"

*takes deep breath*

Sorry, rant over.

I caught myself doing the exact same thing, but I tried being tactful about it. I did notice that the majority of men at this event didn't bother shining their shoes, quite a few couldn't color coordinate and some wore badly fitted suits. I think I was the only person sporting a pocket square though

so how many of you inspect another man's shoes, either from afar or when you're talking to them? does it change your impression of them as a person?

See what you made me do?

 

[gaseousclay]

I think the point I was making was that we all compare ourselves to others, especially where our wardrobe is concerned. however, I don't take the stance that I think i'm better than someone else - I might be better dressed than some but it doesn't make me a better person. on the one hand, a person's wardrobe says a lot about a person but at the same time it says nothing about them at all. I know a few people with deep pockets who dress like complete slobs. I don't take a stance on their wardrobe because I know they give a lot of their money to charity rather than spend thousands of dollars on clothing.

 

[Doc4]

I think the point I was making was that we all compare ourselves to others, especially where our wardrobe is concerned. however, I don't take the stance that I think i'm better than someone else - I might be better dressed than some but it doesn't make me a better person. on the one hand, a person's wardrobe says a lot about a person but at the same time it says nothing about them at all. I know a few people with deep pockets who dress like complete slobs. I don't take a stance on their wardrobe because I know they give a lot of their money to charity rather than spend thousands of dollars on clothing.

I would not think more highly of a person who spent a lot of money on clothes; heck, I might even think less of him if he's buying Rolex and Armani while his kids are stuck sharing a box of KD for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Crixus]

When I saw the title of the thread, I thought it was going to be about $300 shoes. Thanks for not doing that. If a man is at a function and he has on leather shoes that are $44.95 at J.C. Penney, I'm perfectly fine with it.

If he hasn't taken the time to at least throw a coat of polish on them, it's going to register with me. And if we ever become friends, I won't loan him tools.

 

[binowatch]

I was once in a very upscale luggage store in SanFrancisco, soon after going in a salesman came right over. After explainining I was just killing time during a break from the meeting I was attending, I asked why he came right over when there were other folks wandering about. His answer "your shoes"! He said that if someone spent money on good shoes and took care of them, he was more likely to appreciate other high end items and was, therefore, a potential buyer in that store. I suspect most folks can't tell by looking the cost of a pair of shoes but they can tell if they are clean, polished and in good repair. What you can afford is just that, but how you take care of it says volumes.

 

[Crixus]

I suspect most folks can't tell by looking the cost of a pair of shoes

Except those pesky San Francisco high-end luggage salesmen.

I totally agree with your final point, bino. Modest clothing well cared for stands out for me. It's something achievable by most of us, and certainly hints at other desirable character traits.

 

[Rich189]

I'm going to have to agree with johnnieGold on this. I will never judge someone on what they are wearing but will judge them on how they wear it. In my area I see girls in $1000 plus shoes that look like slobs. Then I see people wearing stuff from walmart and they make it look good because they take pride in their appearance.

 

[J2010]

Made me think of this:

During Adlai Stevenson's run for President a photograph revealed a hole in the sole of his right shoe. This became a well-known symbol of Adlai's frugality and earthiness.

 

[Doc4]

I was once in a very upscale luggage store in SanFrancisco, soon after going in a salesman came right over. After explainining I was just killing time during a break from the meeting I was attending, I asked why he came right over when there were other folks wandering about. His answer "your shoes"! He said that if someone spent money on good shoes and took care of them, he was more likely to appreciate other high end items and was, therefore, a potential buyer in that store. I suspect most folks can't tell by looking the cost of a pair of shoes but they can tell if they are clean, polished and in good repair. What you can afford is just that, but how you take care of it says volumes.

Mulholland Bros?

Made me think of this:

During Adlai Stevenson's run for President a photograph revealed a hole in the sole of his right shoe. This became a well-known symbol of Adlai's frugality and earthiness.

If the hole had been a bit bigger, he'd have been known for being so corny.

 

[gaseousclay]

When I saw the title of the thread, I thought it was going to be about $300 shoes. Thanks for not doing that. If a man is at a function and he has on leather shoes that are $44.95 at J.C. Penney, I'm perfectly fine with it.

If he hasn't taken the time to at least throw a coat of polish on them, it's going to register with me. And if we ever become friends, I won't loan him tools.

cost has nothing to do with how one dresses imho, it's how they wear their clothes that gives that first impression. I have more respect for a guy who can wear inexpensive clothing and make himself look good rather than the guy who wears $1500 shoes and a $1500 suit but doesn't know a good tailor, how to color coordinate or how to shine his shoes. I'm far from perfect in this respect but I sure as hell put a lot of effort into what I wear during formal events. for example, there was one fella at the fundraiser wearing scuffed shoes, a baggy sack suit and his pants looked too short - luckily he wasn't wearing a black tie, otherwise I would've mistook him for one of the Blues Brothers.

 

[flylot]

I look at people's shoes quite a bit. It gives me an indication (as does other things) of the person's attention to detail. Sartorial style notwithstanding (I hate the squared toed rubber soled shoe), if it's ugly but shined, at least the individual has the propensity to finish things, such as, one's ensemble.

If one avails oneself to half measures in attire, I suspect (which is often later confirmed), the same goes with their life style and their work ethic. It has been confirmed to me time and again through my life. This is of course, a generality, but a darned accurate one when it comes to my life's experience.

 

[johnniegold]

Call me a fool Ishmael, call me a fool.

If the shoe fits... then polish it.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Where does this leave Fred Flintstone?

 

[DavyRay]

Where does this leave Fred Flintstone?

Does he need a pedicure?

 

[johnniegold]

Where does this leave Fred Flintstone?

Pre-historic chic. Note the three-toed footwear.

 

[Austin]

What is the most any of you gents spend on a good pair of shoes. I usually spend between $300-$500. What about you?