Advice on shoes...

[Dall_Piobaire]

We are men, We are not lemmings to paraphrase Devo

That was a really good point rtc, as so much of what is perceived as culture is crafty maketing. Think of what would happen were we to walk about naked and painted blue.

[AKScott]

OP, you got some good advice in here and all the shoes you have pictures of look, honestly, smashing considering their respective price points.

#1, no one has pointed out that leather soles suck when they are wet. Wet leather is slippery, combined with wet floors or sidewalks, land of Goshen, what ever swear words you know will be coming out your mouth.

#2, I am in the good shoe camp. In general, with any outfit in my wardrobe that goes together shoes represent at least 50% of the price of the whole outfit. Sometimes considerably more. Until it is cold enough to put on a fur hat and a fur lined parka anyway.

Everything else about an outfit is just weather protection and looks. Shoes are what we work in, work from. Shoes make or break how good we feel at the end of the day, whether we are digging ditches five days in a row or dancing at our own wedding once in a lifetime.

Certainly a good day in a great pair of shoes can be ruined by a pair of lousy socks, but good socks are cheap.

My top end for good looking good feeling shoes to wear indoors is about US$200. There is a plethora of good shoes out there at or near that price point. I am not planning to pop half the price of my upcoming tank into a new pair of shoes to wear with the kilt.

The rub, IMO, is finding a pair of shoes that fit great over the internet. I have, the hard way in my crusty middle age, found a Texas cowboy boot maker and an Italian slip on loafer maker, and a US workboot maker who make products that fit my feet well. From those three, I will order product over the internet knowing what my size is. But my foot is nonstandard in shape.

I say if you have a pretty standard foot and if you can afford them go with the Loakes on page one, they look great. Leather soled shoes are the absolute cat's meow for dancing, but you have to break them in some. At this price point a reputable dealer ought to let you wear them indoors on carpet only for 1 or 2 or 5 days and at least give you full credit for an exchange if they don't fit right.

I also say the first time you wear leather soled shoes on a wet surface you will cuss. Colorfully.

Good luck!
S

[OftKilted]

The original request was inquiring about shoes that would work well for his wedding.

But yes, leather soled shoes do not work well in the wet. Which is why when dealing with "the wet" one would use something like Tingley Men's Rubber Overshoes to cover them and protect the soles from damage.

[rtc872]

Thanks for the input. I have pretty much got my heart set so I just need to spend the money. haha

[OftKilted]

Thanks for the input. I have pretty much got my heart set so I just need to spend the money. haha

Ah ha! So what did you finally decide? And you should take pics and post ten up with your outfit!

But congratz on the decision, and best wishes on the happy event!

-OK