Dressing Better Vol 2.0

[returnbama]

I am with you on the sneakerhead aspect of it.  I have 15 pair of Allen Edmonds with some other brands thrown in, and more on the way.  I obviously don't need those, but I like different models and even different colors of the same model.  I am going to graduate soon though to some higher end brands.

 

[sarteaga0408]

you are exemplifying my point. vibram soles, etc. won't crack on you. a well cared for pair of dress shoes could last decades with proper resoling etc. it's definitely up to you though. there is always room for beaters.

Yes they will, as someone who has had Allen Edmonds crack, literally the sole cracked, it matters to have a rotation. They were taken care of, but all you need is one simple slip in NYC streets for shoes to be done. To give you an example mine cracked when I was going up the stairs on the subway, was pushed from behind by some people rushing and I gave a step right on the edge of the next step with the side of the sole, the sole cracked. It sucked, but nothing much I could have done.

 

[typerpinoy]

what about resoling?

 

[sarteaga0408]

what about resoling?

tried too, tried allen edmonds themselves for recomendations and the leather spa, they couldn't do it, not the way they broke. I love AE and it helps that I don't always take the train but I rather have that rotation since they still wear fast.

 

[wj4]

I have been thinking about making an order, probably will within a couple months.  Something I read said they are like lower quality Carmina

Yep. They are from Carmina, and SF really likes them.

Carmina is my favorite brand right now because of the various made to order we can do.

Carlin: even if you walk 5 miles on concrete daily, you're going to resole a pair of shoes 1 time a year max. A competent cobbler can do 4-6 resoles before a pair of shoes is 'dead'. With that many in rotation, I doubt it will be once a year.

If you want to move up to better brands from AE, then you'll be at my range...Alden, C&J, Alfred Sargent, Carmina. Not baller enough for Lobb, EG, St Crispin's and others that run over a grand yet

None of my Vibram or Dainite soles have cracked yet. If you don't like a particular sole, you can resole them ASAP for a different one. Lots of folks have switched out leather sole for Commando, etc. Some even ask for the welt to be switched.

 

[thenewjs23]

tried too, tried allen edmonds themselves for recomendations and the leather spa, they couldn't do it, not the way they broke. I love AE and it helps that I don't always take the train but I rather have that rotation since they still wear fast.

I always recommend the Houston Shoe Hospital. Mail them to them. They are here in Houston. They have videos of their work on their site. They can even replace cork.

 

[wj4]

honestly i think you're doing it wrong. you should have a handful of high quality shoes that are versatile and durable enough to last you years. not a whole bunch of budget shoes just for variety's sake

Man, that's what I said after 10 pairs of Aldens

 

[returnbama]

If you want to move up to better brands from AE, then you'll be at my range...Alden, C&J, Alfred Sargent, Carmina. Not baller enough for Lobb, EG, St Crispin's and others that run over a grand yet

Yes, I was thinking a pair of Alden's first.  Definitely not ready for the big time lol

Westchesters today, really like lately how the my pants fall when I wear loafers

 

[sarteaga0408]

I always recommend the Houston Shoe Hospital. Mail them to them. They are here in Houston. They have videos of their work on their site. They can even replace cork.

Leather Spa is one of the best here in the city, my wife gets her Louboutin's soled there and it's the place most higher end designer recommend here in the city, but not even they could fix it.

 

[coreyw]

Lol I've slowly transitioned from Jordan's to Clae's to boots, and now I want to wear dress shoes more often. 

 

[stephenb]

It seems I'm always in the minority when it comes to the quantity/quality argument...I prefer variety and quantity,instead of a 1,500$ pair of Lobbs which I would inevitably get tired of with in a couple months I would be much better served with 6 pairs of 250$ AE's or ten pairs of 150$ shoes..Which is why I rarely pay over 200$ for shoes,I'm just going to wear them five or six times anyway but that's just me...

 

[grizzlyboy]

See that's the thing. I'm not saying purchase a pair of $1500 shoes. But wouldn't you want to sub a nice pair of AE's than 3 pairs of Kenneth Cole's?

I love sneakers as well. But would I want 4 pairs of basic Nike's from Famous Footwear or a pair of Jays? Hell No. I think that's the issue with Fast Fashion. We oh so want variety that we sacrifice quality. I am in the process of purging my closet. I would rather have 1 nice coat than 6 OK coats. I'm just saying.

 

[wj4]

See that's the thing. I'm not saying purchase a pair of $1500 shoes. But wouldn't you want to sub a nice pair of AE's than 3 pairs of Kenneth Cole's?
I love sneakers as well. But would I want 4 pairs of basic Nike's from Famous Footwear or a pair of Jays? Hell No. I think that's the issue with Fast Fashion. We oh so want variety that we sacrifice quality. I am in the process of purging my closet. I would rather have 1 nice coat than 6 OK coats. I'm just saying.

Different mind set, G. What you have is a minimalist state of mind. Quality stuff that's versatile that can be worn often but little in quantity. When done right, it's awesome! There's folks who post nice outfits of items that can be dressed up or down and their closet is really small and you wouldn't expect such a tiny wardrobe can produce that many nice outfits.

 

[jstunn197]

i sometimes wish i had it in me, i have a ****load of nice shirts and ties now, but since wedding season is over i rarely get to rock...lol...and on my days off sometimes i consider dressing up, but end up in jeans, tee, hoody and my flyknits

I feel the same way. I think it's because after working 10+ hours a day I don't have it in me to dress to the nines to go pick up my clothes from the cleaners and run to the grocery store. Im guessing he doesn't have a full time job and has the time to put on a tie to run errands. The fact that I wore a tie to Catholic high school for 4 years and a tie to work everyday for the last 10 years kind of takes away the appeal lol

 

[thenewjs23]

It seems I'm always in the minority when it comes to the quantity/quality argument...I prefer variety and quantity,instead of a 1,500$ pair of Lobbs which I would inevitably get tired of with in a couple months I would be much better served with 6 pairs of 250$ AE's or ten pairs of 150$ shoes..Which is why I rarely pay over 200$ for shoes,I'm just going to wear them five or six times anyway but that's just me...

I understand your stand, but dress shoes are an investment. My pops is a minister/ceo and he still wears the Lobbs he bought when I was young. I am 32 now. He has all types of reptilian and hides for shoes. I will say his collection is worth about a 100k+. He rarely buys new ones now. He told me that I would go through 10 pair of $150 dress shoes before he went through one pair his Tom Fords or Lobbs.

To be honest I my Rafs feel like butter compared to AE's.

 

[wj4]

I understand your stand, but dress shoes are an investment. My pops is a minister/ceo and he still wears the Lobbs he bought when I was young. I am 32 now. He has all types of reptilian and hides for shoes. I will say his collection is worth about a 100k+. He rarely buys new ones now. He told me that I would go through 10 pair of $150 dress shoes before he went through one pair his Tom Fords or Lobbs.

To be honest I my Rafs feel like butter compared to AE's.

Are Rafs Goodyear welted or Blake? This is why I don't like designer shoes, ie LV, Gucci, Prada, etc. because they're Blake stitched.


I had 7-8 DS pairs of footwear so I've been wearing them in the recent days. One more pair left!

Thanks again to RFX for the discount code on these Aldens:

 

[es el]

where can i get some gd quality white henley thermals??

 

[sarteaga0408]

Are Rafs Goodyear welted or Blake? This is why I don't like designer shoes, ie LV, Gucci, Prada, etc. because they're Blake stitched.


I had 7-8 DS pairs of footwear so I've been wearing them in the recent days. One more pair left!

Thanks again to RFX for the discount code on these Aldens:

A navy suede shoe, a shoe I need in my arsenal. Honestly that's one of the reasons I refuse to drop money on the Louboutin Men's Suede Oxford, they're Blake stitched or glued, definitely not goodyear welted.

 

[sarteaga0408]

Necktie entry, thank you to Jason for the tie

Edit: I did not wear a track jacket with a shirt and tie, had to run outside and put some defroster in the car.

 

[ROYGBiV]

Saw some AE at Nord/Rack. 240 of something like that are they worth it? I mean i have no picture of how they look but they where nice. That was 240 with a 31% discount already applied.

 

[grizzlyboy]

Looking good Serg!

 

[blakep267]

Dont know if its already been posted but nordstoms half yearly sale has more reductions. Dockers alpha khakis are now $30 online etc

 

[wj4]

A navy suede shoe, a shoe I need in my arsenal. Honestly that's one of the reasons I refuse to drop money on the Louboutin Men's Suede Oxford, they're Blake stitched or glued, definitely not goodyear welted.

It's funny because there is a guy at work who is into fashion too. However, he's into the brand name stuff, typical D&G, Prada, etc. When we talk shoes, he's not able to comprehend when things like welt, construction, and material is used.

The worst is cemented, Serg...ugh. There's some good Blake stitching out there, but unless I can get them at a deep discount...no thanks.

 

[wj4]

Dont know if its already been posted but nordstoms half yearly sale has more reductions. Dockers alpha khakis are now $30 online etc

Yep, discounts got deeper. I bought 2 items, one at 40% off and the other at 30% off. They were farther reduced to 60% and 50%, respectively. Got price difference of around $280 credited

 

[wj4]

Yes, I was thinking a pair of Alden's first.  Definitely not ready for the big time lol

Westchesters today, really like lately how the my pants fall when I wear loafers

Man, this looks really good! The no break appeal is sharp.

Aldens are meh now, man. The prices keep going up and there are better choices that are closing in with the higher prices. If you get them, I would suggest getting shell cordovan...that's what they're known for. For casual wearing, look into Indy's. If I can do it again, I would've skipped buying 2-3 pairs of Alden boots. The aesthetic is definitely bulky, and not sleek like AE.