Advice on shoes...

[OftKilted]

Good quality shoes can be resoled and can be repaired anywhere in the world.

For higher end dress shoes I am fond of the american shoe brand: Allen Edmonds ( http://www.allenedmonds.com )

(Though I also like Ecco, but they are not as repairable, or 'high end'.)

The shoe closest to the bottom shoe in your pictures is the Park Avenue. It is a six eyelet cap-toe balmoral style. They list for $325 US, which is ~200 GBP (though you can find them online for less.) The Park Avenue shoes don't have a steel shank, and for me were so comfortable that they didn't need to be 'broken in.'

If you aren't planning on wearing them often (more than once a week) then 'lower end' dress shoes are more than perfectly acceptable. If they are daily shoes, then spending the additional money is well spent as they are repairable and built to last. (That being said it is possible to buy 'fashion shoes' that cost more and are lower quality.)

Good quality shoes are like a good quality tank. You pay money for good quality, but it is easily repairable and will last for forever.

(Disclaimer: I'm not afiliated with any of these manufacturers, I just wear their products.)

[SlackerDrummer]

If you intend to do any dancing at your wedding, you definitely want leather soles. You don't want the rubber catching on the dance floor!

[Whidbey78]

I'd vote for either #2 or #4(or others of similar style) as they are the most versatile. I'm not familiar with either brand, but I would echo many others here and say get the best you can afford. It's not just about how long the shoe lasts, but how long you can stand to continuously wear them. I have a pair of cheapies that have lasted me nearly 15 years. But that's because I've worn them three times and for no more than two hours at a time. Any longer would be crippling! Why I still have them is beyond me.

Leather soles are "dressier," but acceptable for more casual occasions. You can always wear a "nicer" shoe in most situations, but a more "casual" shoe just can't be worn formally. And since they can be re-soled as long as the uppers are in good shape they can be brought back from the dead, so to speak. Most definitely go with a leather sole.

[thescot]

I'll have to second the Park Avenue by Allen Edmonds. You can't beat 'em unless you opt for bespoke shoes in the $2500 range and above. I know they're pricier than you wanted, but they'd last you a life time with a bit of care and resoling. And if you have palstic taps put on the heels, they'll go twice as far.

I don't like the first pair you showed for a wedding because of the "clunkiness" of the soles. For dressier affairs, the soles should be a bit finer than that.

Of the ones you showed, I'd definitely opt for the Loakes.

Good luck.

[rtc872]

So it would seem I am not getting too carried away. It looks like I'll be buying a higher end shoe. My goal is to buy good shoes and wear them everyday so I may as well take the plunge and buy shoes that I wantto wear.

Thanks so much for you advice.

Rob

[English Bloke]

I'd got with No1. (in your post) They are British MoD issue and a good quality shoe, I've worn them meeself.

Failing that, I've got two pairs of these:



One in Black and one in Brown. Proper sturdy footwear. I take a UK 10 or 10.5 and I bought 10's from these chaps and the shoes fit well. They are not extravagantly expensive either, if you are looking for a good quality shoe to wear on your special day but not every day, why do you want to spend over £100

Search ebay-UK for a shop called "britishshoes". They charge 20 quid on top, for postage to Japan. There are also other styles available on their ebay site including these in Black.

Review of these brogues here

[CDNSushi]

Being in Japan, my first instinct would also be to question why buy shoes online? Shoes and certain items of clothing are one of those items that are often cheaper to buy locally. Unless the size is anything bigger than a 28 JPN (10 US / 44 EU), I would likely try to find something in-country first.

[rtc872]

I am after a good british shoe and the tax on leather shoes ranges from 20 to 40% just to import. That is why doc martens are so much more expensive. I am looking but so far ABC mart and the like just have cheap chinese shoes which do look nice but I doubt would last more than 2-3 years.

[artificer]

You could always have a mate in the States post you a spanking new pair of Allen Edmonds. They've got discounts on 'last years models'.

BTW: I'd be scr#wed if I lived in Japan. I haven't worn a size 10 since junior high...

[rtc872]

hmmm I have a cousin in South Carolina... I haven't talk to him since he went there 7 years ago but hey it isn't too late to start talking now! haha