/fa/ - Fashion

[Anonymous No.13527176]

What's the most versatile type of business shoe? I got myself a nice jacket and now maybe should get some nice shoes to go along with it, but since I'd only like to get one pair, what type of business shoe is appropriate for the most situations?

Is there anything that would work in all of these:

-weddings/funerals/workplace evening parties
-business without tie, I work as a consultant and the dress code is very informal in my country. But situations like meeting new customers or a managed services meeting as expert/wingman to the service manager
-dates/family dinners in fancier restaurants

I'm thinking oxfords would be too formal for anything where I'm not wearing a tie and a full suit, but derbies would be too informal for events where a tie is required. Can horsebit loafers work in both situations, or are non-brogued derbies fine even in black tie optional events?

My jacket and suit are dark navy, is black the most versatile color for the shoes or should they be dark navy too?

[Anonymous No.13527203]

>>13527176
Penny loafers, burgundy or black.

[Anonymous No.13527249]

Plain black or dark brown derbys, No toe cap

[Anonymous No.13527269]

>>13527176
Brown shoes go best with a navy suit but black shoes are best for a variety of events.

[Anonymous No.13527283]

>>13527249
Not OP. Why no toe cap? I'm planning to get pic related, because I will be able to pair them witha variety of trouser choices.

[Anonymous No.13527288]

>>13527249

What kind of sole should these kind of 'formal' derbies have? Most of the otherwise decent-looking ones I can find (no toecap or broguing) always seem to have a ridiculously thick sole that ruins the look - these are otherwise nice (well the logo is a bit over-the-top too) but the super-thick sole makes them look like a pair of dr martens.

Any recommendations for a derby that doesn't have a toe cap, no broguing and a reasonable-looking sole?

I'm also quite interested in the Gucci loafers since they seem versatile for many different situations and also have an air of swag around them, though I'm not sure if swag is exactly a priority with this kind of shoe.

[Anonymous No.13527302]

Depends a lot on the country you live in. Or even the city.

In the UK must be black oxford semi brogues. In the rest of europe, probably brown or chocolate... in some places broguing or oxfords look strange, so plain derbies is a better option...

Id say pic related all in all.

[Anonymous No.13527305]

Oxfords>wholecuts>brogues>monks>loafers.

[Anonymous No.13527316]

>>13527288
Never seen shoes with a sole that thicc, Walk into any highstreet store to find a pair of accetable shoes then polish to a mirror shine so no one knows how cheap they were

[Anonymous No.13527318]

>>13527288
Dainite soles.

[Anonymous No.13527345]

These are the one's you're looking for. Meermin for your poor ass. Maximum compatibility, minimum specifity.
And those who suggest oxfords can suck my ass.

[Anonymous No.13527370]

>>13527345

Don't really like how the toe cap looks, and these other ones look way too pointy. Same last on both pairs I think.

[Anonymous No.13527414]

>>13527370
Okay here's your Orban Oslo derbies.

[Anonymous No.13527551]

>>13527203
>penny loafers as a business/formal shoe
ishygddt

[Anonymous No.13528474]

Vibram sole or leather sole, if all else is the same? Blake rapid stitched shoes, so they can be resoled. I'm leaning towards leather sole, but what of I get caught in a rain?

[Anonymous No.13528570]

>dress shoes with rubber soles

[Anonymous No.13528581]

>>13528570
t. american

[Anonymous No.13528594]

>>13528474
Blake rapid a shit, goodyear welt gets the silhouette some heft for that traditional, versatile silhouette.
Leather sole. Get them half soled with that thin vibram stuff, it's great.

[Anonymous No.13528638]

>>13528570
Not everybody that has to dress proper are office-dwellers.

[Anonymous No.13529204]

>>13527176
Oxblood oxford brogues. They won't do for black tie though.

[Anonymous No.13529236]

[Anonymous No.13529499]

>>13529236
goddamn, alden shoes are so fugly.

[Anonymous No.13530451]

>>13527249
>>13527283
>toe cap
I've some with and without. They can add a little structure without the actual built-up construction of a toe box. Sometimes the seam where the under support starts can look kind of ugly on a plain toe. They on other plain toes without support you can get a kind of flattened and wrinkled shark snout look. Shoe trees help and I actually use women's small cushion inserts in the toes of two pairs of my shoes.
>>13527288
>sole should these kind of 'formal' derbies
solid black sides and a commando or dainite sole are easier to maintain compared to natural leather, imho. A little black polish makes them look in good order.
>>13527288
>broguing
>Gucci loafers
These are casual shoes. Not formal. Brogues should have a rubber sole or multiple layers of leather because they are a country shoe. Daintier loafers could be a Tramp shoe or similar slipper.
>>13527318
I like these and dainite it actually better on snow than you'd think.
>>13527370
This style of toe box is guaranteed to crease in an unsightly way. Nobody's toes conform to that shape so the shoe will flex horribly.
>>13528474
>leather sole
You can get a Topy which is a thin layer of rubber glued on the front sole. Leather is slippery and ugly. Also, a single layer leather sole will feel like your bare foot when you step on a stone. They also flex a great deal. I have a pair of slippers with a a thin leather sole and a very small heel. I honestly think even a slightly higher heel with a single leather sole layer would be a bad design for your arches. That's just from my experience though.
>>13528570
>>dress shoes with rubber soles
raw soles came into fashion again in the early 60s but there is something inelegant about it
>>13529204
>Oxblood
Oxblood and Colour 8 are next level. Some fellows are fine without even owning a pair of black shoes. OP, some would make the argument brown shoes are more versatile than black.

[Anonymous No.13530794]

>>13530451

Thanks, this was a great post!

[Anonymous No.13530807]

>>13530451
Yeah you get it.
Also what I never understood is how Americans think loafers look formal. From what I been taught is that loafers are only used for in and around the house and as drive shoes. Literally wearing them anywhere else is fashion cringe.

But w/e we are in a time where people wear suits with sneakers so I don't think many people care about dress codes anymore lol.

[Anonymous No.13530823]

I've got a pair of black Park avenue oxfords that I hardly ever wear because I'm a college student. Can I casually wear them with trousers and a t-shirt? Or would the clash of very formal/very informal make me look like a try hard faggot?

[Anonymous No.13530826]

>>13530823
Don't. It will look retarded. Only wear those with a suit. Its sad they wasting away but its that or look like a clown lol.

[Anonymous No.13530876]

>>13530823

[Anonymous No.13530883]

>>13530876
I kind of like it, but probably lack the confidence to pull it off. i guess I'll just have to get into reviewbrah-core and thrift some baggy suits.

[Anonymous No.13531190]

https://www.grenson.com/uk/toby-mens-derby-black-calf-leather-dainite-sole.html

Do these seem like a good pick? I think I like the dainite sole - most rubber soles look way too thick and I'm a little worried about how quickly leather soles would wear out.

[Anonymous No.13531302]

>>13530823
If you get something like a sweater vest, a cardigan, a sport coat, or a blazer it will work.

[Anonymous No.13531437]

Anyone have a pair of Red Wing Postman shoes?

Are they worth spending £220 on if I'm going to use them regularly?

I have 1461 docs atm but they're uncomfortable

[Anonymous No.13531737]

>>13530451 (me)
>>13530794
>>13530807
Thanks. I used to wear black shoes almost exclusively. Even with grey wool trousers, khakis and denim it always worked. I'd all the supporting items from watch band and belts to jackets and bags to bring it together.

Some simple all black Derbies with rubber soles are a wise choice. Then you could look at some black service boots? As far as black footwear, at present, I have only pic related and it is fairly versatile.

[Anonymous No.13531765]

>>13531737
Also, that's a Commando sole and I don't think it looks too chunky or casual, imho. Since it was an investment and meant to cover a couple bases I went with a cap toe. Shell cordovan wrinkles more without a cap and at the time I really hated the look of the toe box support showing up through from below, especially with cordovan. I'm really happy with these including the minimal cap.

The cordovan shines up with just a brush. With pants these look like shoes. They don't look like granny's orthopedic boots, honest.

[Anonymous No.13532337]

>>13531737
>I used to wear black shoes almost exclusively.
90s

[Anonymous No.13532356]

>>13531437
I have a pair. Bought them for daily wear during warmer months. They're swell but wouldn't wear them formally.

[Anonymous No.13532780]

>>13531190
no