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Wingtip dress shoes

pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
I need to buy a new pair for work. These types of shoes seem very standard in their design/construction. Is it worth it to pay for a premium pair, or should I go for the less expensive ones? How much difference is there? Seems like the design is all the same.
 
if you are wearing them for work, i'd assume that means you will be wearing them all day 5 days a week. i'd definitely get something nice, they will last longer for sure. i've had cheap dress shoes that i wore to work all the time and they fell apart rather quickly compared to ones of better quality. thankfully now i can wear whatever shoes i want and i just cycle through the shoes i wear when i'm not at work.
 
Right now I have some Giorgio Brutini shoes. I think they were 60 or 70 bucks from DSW. They are in good shape but the heels are totally worn down and get very slippery on waxed tile floors.
 
pete6032 said:
Right now I have some Giorgio Brutini shoes. I think they were 60 or 70 bucks from DSW. They are in good shape but the heels are totally worn down and get very slippery on waxed tile floors.
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You're going to get a lot of $200-$400 shoe suggestions, but based on your posts it sounds like a pair of grippy-rubber-soled Rockports would fit your budget/needs pretty well.

OTOH, there's nothing as authoritative as the sound of super-hard leather soled dress shoes walking across a tile floor.
 
Yeah I really like the shoes I have now but it's like I'm on ice skates walking in my building lobby.
 
Allen Edmonds or Johnston and Murphy's. I prefer the j&m with xc4 (waterproof) as they are very comfortable without need of break in, they can take weather, and are reasonably priced ($125-150)
 
How well do you like your feet?

I've always lived by "The two things a working man should never scrimp on are his work shoes/boots and his mattress. You will spend too much time in one...and not enough time in the other."
 
My feet have been much more comfortable since I've been using the Dr. Scholls custom fit orthotics. This is NOT a paid endorsement and nobody I know works for them.
 
pete6032 said:
I need to buy a new pair for work. These types of shoes seem very standard in their design/construction. Is it worth it to pay for a premium pair, or should I go for the less expensive ones? How much difference is there? Seems like the design is all the same.
Click to expand...

get an expensive pair of quality shoes with a goodyear welt and leather sole and take them to a cobbler every so often. They'll last an eternity and the upfront cost will be completely offset by the cobblers ability to make them as good as new for next to nothing.
 
Get multiple pairs of shoes-don't wear the same pair two days in a row. Use shoe trees (even for cheapie dress shoes) and generally take care of them, like cleaning and polishing frequently.

They will last many times longer that way and look better too.

I'm fully in favor of Allen Edmonds shoes. When I had to dress that way for work my AE shoes would last a decade or longer (with several reheelings/resoleings), but they are pricey. They are way better than department store shoes. See if there is an outlet around you or keep an eye open for their internet outlet sales.
 
purbeast0 said:
if you are wearing them for work, i'd assume that means you will be wearing them all day 5 days a week. i'd definitely get something nice, they will last longer for sure. i've had cheap dress shoes that i wore to work all the time and they fell apart rather quickly compared to ones of better quality. thankfully now i can wear whatever shoes i want and i just cycle through the shoes i wear when i'm not at work.
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+1 I learned my lesson on this. $50 shoes fall apart in a few months and $200 ones last for years.
 
Thump553 said:
Get multiple pairs of shoes-don't wear the same pair two days in a row. Use shoe trees (even for cheapie dress shoes) and generally take care of them, like cleaning and polishing frequently.

They will last many times longer that way and look better too.

I'm fully in favor of Allen Edmonds shoes. When I had to dress that way for work my AE shoes would last a decade or longer (with several reheelings/resoleings), but they are pricey. They are way better than department store shoes. See if there is an outlet around you or keep an eye open for their internet outlet sales.
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All this.

And if money is tight, look for lightly-used pairs. I don't regret buying my second-hand black Fifth Avenues at all.
 
As is popular these days, direct to consumer companies like Jack Erwin look interesting. I haven't bought a pair from them yet and company like AE, Ferragamo, and Alden are always going to make a good looking and long-lasting shoe.
 
OP, do you specifically have to buy wing tips or dress shoes?

I personally don't like wingtips, but have a pair that don't have the extra stitching, only the pattern/dots. They're Allen Edmonds that I picked up for $225 from Nordstrom rack or whatever they call their outlet.

There are other brands that make very good wingtips I just happen to pick up AE because I liked the non standard design and they were on sale.

If you need to wear them every day, You're better off getting 2 pairs of cheaper shoe than 1 really expensive shoe. You're supposed to let the leather breathe after you wear them. Atleast 1 day, but 2 days is better.
 
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