Need help picking a casual shoe

Post by **Sam** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:51 am

Well, need some suggestions guys. I have a pair of drivers, black suede, and another pair of darker brown croc print. I have Cole Haan penny loafers.

Got a wedding in late April and it is either jeans or khakis for the casual rehearsal dinner (catfish in a lodge). Dont know what shirt or casual sweater I will wear, but I need some comfortable casual shoes. More to the casual side of a dress casual, but might wear to the office when I dont wear a suit. Dont really want a heel, but maybe a molded rubber sole, all in one (but not a driver sole, knobby and what all). I dont know that a boat shoe is all that versatile but Sperry and Tommy Bahama have some.

Im thinking of a darker brown but someone may suggest black. Make suggestions and maybe post pics or links to a pic of an approrpriate shoe. Id like something comfortable and maybe up to $100 or so.

Sam

Brown or black in this shoe? http://www.aldenshop.com/DrawOneSpecial ... goryID=124

One of these (said to be super comfy and handmade)
http://www.quoddytrail.com/Venetians.htm

or something like this in brown?
http://www.shoebuy.com/tommy-bahama-havana/226565

tonyespo · Post by **tonyespo** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:51 pm

Sam, I love these Rockports.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... =503398-tn

I wear them almost daily and they are the most comfortable shoe I own and stylish for most occasions.

Steve-o · Post by **Steve-o** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:06 pm

Well, I'm not Mr. Blackwell here, but I would go for the Venetians. IMHO, boat shoes are way more casual than "business casual". The Tommy Bahamas look nice, but I think black would be a bit formal, which leaves just brown suede as a choice for the TBs, and I think that's too casual for business. Besides, the mocs are good-looking shoes that seem like they would be super-comfortable. The Rockports Tony mentioned aren't bad, either; I just don't happen to be a fan of high-contrast stitching on anything other than baseballs.

But I could be all wet. No one at work comes up to me and asks about my shoes.

Post by **Sam** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:13 pm

Well, I agree on the Tommy Bahamas

So, do you like the Brown pair of Aldens, the topmost pair (is the black going up the back and extending up on the sides okay?) or the Quoddy Venetians with the side stiched penny loafer (#420) or without #412

Post to pic of the penny on someones foot
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/foru ... post672912

BlankTim · Post by **BlankTim** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:21 am

Either the top pair (in the photo) of Aldens, or the Rockports.
I'd say the Rockports over the Aldens, personally, but it's really a tough call on those. They both look very good.

I don't know why, but neither the Tommy nor the Venetians seem to have "it". That je'ne se quoi.

Occam · Post by **Occam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:38 am

tonyespo wrote:Sam, I love these Rockports.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... =503398-tn

I wear them almost daily and they are the most comfortable shoe I own and stylish for most occasions.

+1 on Rockports. All I wear nowadays.

This is my favourite model at the moment...

http://shop.rockport.com/sm-mens-casual ... 51012.html

Here are two suggestions...
http://shop.rockport.com/product/index. ... age=family

http://shop.rockport.com/product/index. ... age=family

paperpundit · Post by **paperpundit** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:12 am

I'm with Ben...I have a similar pair of Rockports on now...a slight heel, and they are an antique-looking brown. If I need to make them look a little classier, I just toss some black parade gloss polish over them...they work on the weekends with jeans, they work for my business casual office with slacks or khakis, I just wouldn't wear them with a suit.

All the best,

Post by **Sam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:31 am

Well, I do like the Rockports Tony linked. The laceup ones, well, a bit too formal for jeans for me. I wear laceups pretty much just with suits. And heels. The Aldens have a certain look, half casual and half dress (maybe it is the color of the leather and the clean lines), and the Quoddys are said to mold to your foot. Im considering maybe some Johnston and Murphys to add a fourth shoe.

slcsteve · Post by **slcsteve** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:02 am

Sam

You might take a look at these. Apart from boots, most of the shoes that I own are Mephisto's and Trask's. Nice selections, comfortable, well-made and durable.

http://www.hstrask.com/

Post by **Sam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:18 am

Ok, Aldens are out, my size not available

Here are pics of what I am considering

http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProductPage ... _Id=228808

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... =p3907.m29

and then the Quoddys and the Rockports

can someone start a poll for me, maybe with links to the pics?

redstubble · Post by **redstubble** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:17 am

My son gave me a pair of Born shoes for Christmas. Very, very nice.

mike.

Post by **Sam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:20 am

The Borns were too heavy for me.

Post by **Sam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:01 pm

IF anyone cares to comment, take a look at the link, above, to the Alden shoes and look at the brown ones. What is your opinion on that? And then the Quoddys? I ordered the brown Aldens, wondering how that will go with Khakis and Jeans?

MOSES · Post by **MOSES** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:53 pm

Sam,
I thought the Aldens were not available in your size? At any rate, I think those are nice, although if it were me, I would get the dark cherry full grain, because I'm not a fan of suede so much. I think either those or the Quoddies would look good with jeans, although, for the Quoddies, I would probably get the loafer rather than the moc if you are planning on wearing with kakis. Just my thoughts, though, and I'm anything but an expert on fashion.
-Mo

Post by **Sam** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:59 pm

Mo, I went with a 9E since they said the Aldens ran small, and the top pic is of the black cherry.

I have some Peter Huber drivers and they are a very low heel, in croc print and a more medium brown, and too dressy with khakis. Great feel though. My daughter says go with a penny loafer but the penny loafer has the wide look of a fish with its mouth open so I would maybe go with a venetian if I get them. Maybe you can convince me that the camp moc or canoe moc is a better choice since I have the Peter Hubers, but I can not see a camp moc or canoe moc (with eyelets) being versatile

slcsteve · Post by **slcsteve** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:25 pm

Sam

I was going to suggest these as well but they may be too.............something!

Actually the Alden's look fine but still, keep these in mind.

Steve-o · Post by **Steve-o** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:57 pm

slcsteve wrote:

Actually the Alden's look fine but still, keep these in mind.

You're not supposed to wear white before Memorial Day!

Sam, after reviewing the choices, I happen to like the dark cherry Aldens. I think they'd look fine with jeans (maybe not the really light blue bleached ones), but it's hard for me to say how they would look with khakis since khakis seem to range in color from a greenish tan to almost an ivory sometimes. I think the brown (suede) Aldens fall into the same category as the Tommy Bahamas for me, but the dark cherry looks nice.

The other pair I like is the AEs you linked to. It's a nice casual shoe and it's got some style to it.

Hope that helps....

MiloFinch · Post by **MiloFinch** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:10 pm

Personally, as per the ones you suggested, I say go with the Aldens. I own a pair of the Indy Boots (huge Indiana Jones fan) and they are incredibly comfortable.

Its a shame you don't like Borns. Not loafers like you wanted, but I wear these every day.

Post by **Sam** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:07 am

I guess shoes are one thing you can't buy blind over the 'net. I dont know how the chili version of the AE's would look in person. FOund some Ecco bluchers that felt darn good on, but not used to a casual shoe with laceups. Maybe it is just my own peccadillo.

I do like Borns but some shoes seem heavy and my black pair fit that bill - clunky and heavy. Looking for something sleeker

Post by **Sam** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:52 am

I just bid on these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0211783053

Tried them on last night at a Comfort Store and they felt great on. Also, dont have a laceup type of casual shoe, so if I win, great, and if not, can see if the Aldens work also. Can return one or the other.