Suggestions for a whole new shoe repertoire.

[matt_wren]

Many years ago I was sized and measured to be a size 12. I've been working full-time for the last few years so I've been focusing on my style and wearing nicer clothing to work. So I've continued to buy the same shoe size i was told but most of them are wearing out near the toe.

I have my feet measured again and it is much closer to a 9! So I'm thinking it's just time to completely redo my whole shoe repertoire. Any suggestions for a casual shoe, work casual, formal, and boots? I'm really open to any suggestions and just starting from scratch.

 

[russhatch]

I guess it all depends on your tastes, work/office dress code, budget - so many options out there. If you could give a little more info it would be helpful.

 

[Kilgore]

Formal shoes, no idea as my workplace is business casual, so a pair of Polo Rylander
or Sperry boat shoes work great. The only boots I wear are Clarks Desert Boots,
they're a classic & everyone should have at least one pair IMHO.
Beware, they run large so I buy them a whole size down.

 

[MrMurphy]

Cowboy boots. Two pairs covers all your categories, and they'll last you a lifetime.

 

[seanmccormick]

I'm a huge fan of Florsheim Berkley. They are comfortable for an all-day shoe with a nice leather sole. I have them in burgundy and black. It's that perfect shoe you can wear with anything-tux, suit, or a nice pair of jeans.

For a more casual day, Sperry Gold Cup Penny Loafer, no socks.

 

[EloquentRune]

I just got my first pair of Sperry boat shoes and I love them for business casual. Also anything in the Nordstrom's 1901 brand. They are the most comfortable and affordable shoes I own.

 

[LogisticEarth]

For "formal" shoes you want a black cap-toe oxford. These are timeless and classic, so it makes sense to buy quality as you will probably use them forever. To that end I suggest getting some Allen Edmond's Park Avenues in black. Might seem pricey at first but if you maintain them they will outlast several pairs of cheaper shoes.

For boots, Red Wing Iron Rangers seem to be popular, also check out the Wolverine 1000 mile line, or Allen Edmond's Dalton boot.

You'll find that these shoes are moderately expensive, but the increase in quality and lifespan is worth it in my opinion. I wish I hadn't wasted money on cheap shoes in the past.

 

[Doc4]

Many years ago I was sized and measured to be a size 12. ... but most of them are wearing out near the toe.

I have my feet measured again and it is much closer to a 9!

***.

No, seriously, ***.

If you are a 9, your feet would have been absolutely swimming in a 12 ... and no way you get your toes down to the bottom to wear out the shoes there.

Something's not right here.

 

[drlvegas]

***.

No, seriously, ***.

If you are a 9, your feet would have been absolutely swimming in a 12 ... and no way you get your toes down to the bottom to wear out the shoes there.

Something's not right here.

+1

Mine range from 12-14 even in the same brand(12, 13, and 14 in different Redwing models), but this is absurd.

 

[Doc4]

The Brannock Device does not lie. The OP should get properly measured.

 

[winstonage]

I have Sperry boat shoes, and they feel great on my feet until I get up and walk. I have never had shoes that offered such poor support.

 

[seanmccormick]

I have high arches but the wifey is in the same "boat" and can not wear flat shoes. Me on the other hand, wear everything, including these: www.vibramfivefingers.com

 

[EloquentRune]

Sperry boat shoes don't have much support for high arches, but they are a massive improvement over TOMS for casual shoes. I think the pair of TOMS botas I have may even have negative support...

 

[MrMurphy]

What the Brannock says I should wear is not what my feet say "I" should wear.

 

[shavervinnie]

For "formal" shoes you want a black cap-toe oxford. These are timeless and classic, so it makes sense to buy quality as you will probably use them forever. To that end I suggest getting some Allen Edmond's Park Avenues in black. Might seem pricey at first but if you maintain them they will outlast several pairs of cheaper shoes.

For boots, Red Wing Iron Rangers seem to be popular, also check out the Wolverine 1000 mile line, or Allen Edmond's Dalton boot.

You'll find that these shoes are moderately expensive, but the increase in quality and lifespan is worth it in my opinion. I wish I hadn't wasted money on cheap shoes in the past.

Solid advice right here. I've had the Park Avenues for several years. (paid $300). I think they run around $350 now, but worth every penny. They can be refurbished after several years to be like new again. I've got other AEs as well. Great shoes.

 

[9 Iron]

You didn't tell us what kind of environment you'll be working in or what kind of $$ you want to spend. If you're talking office/suit wardrobe, then Allen Edmonds is a good choice (roughly $300 a pair, I love their brogue long wings). If you can afford more, Trickers makes a fantastic shoe. If you're talking a little more dressed down, jeans and khakis, then look at Redwing Iron Ranger boots (jeans) and maybe some nice suede wingtips to go with khakis (Nordstroms, under $100).

 

[jdto]

Another thing I've learned about shoes is, you need more than one pair for everyday use. If you rotate two pairs of shoes, they will last longer than if you wore one then the other every day consecutively. Also, some wooden (cedar or pine) shoe trees will help keep them in good shape. The trees absorb moisture and also help the leather keep its shape as the shoe dries after a day of use. I can't remember the exact amount, but I read somewhere that your feet can produce a serious amount of moisture every day, much of which gets absorbed by your shoes. Allowing them to dry out and using shoe trees to keep them in shape will prolong the life of the shoes. I currently rotate between a pair of medium brown wingtip brogue bluchers (Windport brand made in Italy), a pair of black toecap ankle boots (from Aldo - kind of crappy, but get the job done) and a pair of burgundy (oxblood) oxford brogue wingtips (Johnston & Murphy - not great, but they look nice and are comfortable). I also rotate a pair of brown loafers from time to time, for a more casual look.

Allen Edmonds are nice-looking shoes, for sure, and all reports are they're worth the money, though I don't own any (yet). I have my eye on a few of their designs. I'm also looking at Meermin shoes and am close to pulling the trigger on a pair of the captoe black oxfords. I've only started working on upgrading my wardrobe and I've learned a lot in the past several months, both here and on other forums, about shoes, clothes and style in general.

 

[2Deuce2]

Here's one idea-see if there is a Norstrom's Rack nearby. You can get very high quality shoes at a very low price, and try on various sizes of the same brands. Personally I wear Allen Edmonds and Nike Free.

 

[LeverTime]

Here's one idea-see if there is a Norstrom's Rack nearby.

+1 to this. I noticed the OP lives in Scranton. If you ever come down towards Philly, there is a Nordstrom Rack across the street from the King of Prussia Mall. Sometimes they have nothing, but usually they have a decent selection of AE shoes (and belts) discounted 50% or more.

 

[Strapps]

For "formal" shoes you want a black cap-toe oxford. These are timeless and classic, so it makes sense to buy quality as you will probably use them forever. To that end I suggest getting some Allen Edmond's Park Avenues in black. Might seem pricey at first but if you maintain them they will outlast several pairs of cheaper shoes.

For boots, Red Wing Iron Rangers seem to be popular, also check out the Wolverine 1000 mile line, or Allen Edmond's Dalton boot.

You'll find that these shoes are moderately expensive, but the increase in quality and lifespan is worth it in my opinion. I wish I hadn't wasted money on cheap shoes in the past.

+1 on Allen Edmonds. I've had mine (2 pairs) for 15 years, wear them every couple of days, and have had them refinished 4-5 times each. Still look and feel great. And people notice.