Recommendations for men's dress shoes?

[ABCD]

If you wanna give it a try I’d say get a pair of Meermins

Their selling point is to offer Goodyear welted shoes for under €200 but the overall quality of materials and finish is quite disappointing. I'd rather get a pair of quality Blake stitched shoes instead.

 

[Hoanglong]

I bought 4 Santoni shoes for office work.

 

[rogueclimber]

I bought 4 Santoni shoes for office work.

Those are beautiful!

 

[Aloysius]

Hello.
Looking for recommendations on dress shoes for formal social events that:
a) are comfortable
b) are more on the classic/timeless side than trendy, seeing that I wear a suit maybe once a year.

I checked Larry's thread but docksiders aren't cuttin' it.

Thanks.

Budget?

 

[Aloysius]

budget isn't an issue

Everyone has a budget. If you give me one I can give suggestions.

 

[Tom71]

Hello.
Looking for recommendations on dress shoes for formal social events that:
a) are comfortable
b) are more on the classic/timeless side than trendy, seeing that I wear a suit maybe once a year.

I checked Larry's thread but docksiders aren't cuttin' it.

Thanks.

Plenty of options in all (many) price ranges. All of them mentioned in this thread. Just go back three pages and dive right into it...

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

Look into Allen Edmonds—they offer high-quality leather dress shoes with sharp toe shapes at reasonable prices, especially during sales or their Factory Seconds program. The Park Avenue (cap-toe) and Fifth Avenue (perforated cap-toe) are excellent options. Grant Stone is another solid U.S.-based brand with great leather and craftsmanship. If you want something sleek with a sharper toe, Beckett Simonon also offers well-priced, high-quality shoes, though they have a made-to-order model with longer delivery times.

Grant Stone may be US-based, but the boots are made in China. Not trying to hate, but just giving the full picture if MiUSA is an important factor.

 

[Bennarion]

Grant Stone may be US-based, but the boots are made in China. Not trying to hate, but just giving the full picture if MiUSA is an important factor.

They make high-quality shoes at a good price

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

They make high-quality shoes at a good price

Yeah I don’t have any issues with them - matter of fact I have 2 pairs.

But introducing a brand as US-based does not convey they’re made in China and distributed in the US

 

[rogueclimber]

Yeah I don’t have any issues with them - matter of fact I have 2 pairs.

But introducing a brand as US-based does not convey they’re made in China and distributed in the US

I do see they are quite clear on where their products are made

Each description has this posted:

"Every pair crafted on Xiamen Island, China"

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

I do see they are quite clear on where their products are made

Each description has this posted:

"Every pair crafted on Xiamen Island, China"

Was responding to someone else on the thread just saying they’re US-based.
Wasn’t aimed at Grant stone themselves or their product descriptions.

 

[大馬伕]

"USA based" could mean nothing more than a PO Box and a US area code phone number. If they even list a phone number at all. A lot of companies now claim to be US, with operations and manufacturing in other countries. It's not an indicator of product quality. It could be good. Or not.

 

[Andy Barefield]

I was thinking about getting a nice pair of dress shoes, and wanted some suggestions on what shoes to get that fit my criteria. Namely really good quality leather with a really sharp toe; but at prices that are more reasonable and not designer prices. Does anyone have any recommendations for shoes that would fit what I am looking for? Also I'd greatly prefer a U.S. company, as I really don't like having to deal with international shipping with clothing items like this. I appreciate any suggestions given.

Depends on the price point, under $100 i would say johnston and murphy, around $200 i would go for Amberjack or Allen Edmonds

 

[大馬伕]

Allen Edmonds

Good deals on Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank website.

 

[大馬伕]

I would wear a dress boot. Laced, for.more ankle support. Look for something like Allen Edmonds, with a padded leather footbed, soft rubber soles, and factory recrafting . 10-12 miles is too much for leather sole dress shoes. I would even suggest Solovair wing tip Brogues.

 

[Monitor]

For few months I am trying to figure out which dress shoes would be best for 10-12 miles walk a day? Several times a year I have to do 5-7 day trip to Washington DC, where I do 10-12 miles a day of walking. It must be dress shoe that goes with suit and tie (no flexibility). Last trip absolutely killed me! I had 4 blisters and serious pain from them. I am contemplating Skechers but their design is definitely not classic. They have some classic designs, but not any more comfortable than my Oxford type shoe now. Any suggestions?

No definite answer there as it is entirely a matter of compatibility with the maker. You gotta try things out. $1200 shoe might hurt your feet. If the fit is right, dress shoes will be as comfortable as any sneakers or more since they're not made from plastic ***k.

Just make sure to have sole protectors added to your shoes immediately per purchase. That kind of milage will chew through leather soles pretty quickly.

 

[Jon Crow]

View attachment 641385 View attachment 641385
Dress shoes! Even the name ***** ***.
I refuse to own a pair. Made it 50 years that way.

Haha I never called em dress shoes ever, here they're either smarter shoes to wear with anything or casual, I own vintage 60s style loafers but I even wear them with slim jeans and a black leather blazer, ps my shoulders are to broad for a tutu haha

 

[Jon Crow]

For few months I am trying to figure out which dress shoes would be best for 10-12 miles walk a day? Several times a year I have to do 5-7 day trip to Washington DC, where I do 10-12 miles a day of walking. It must be dress shoe that goes with suit and tie (no flexibility). Last trip absolutely killed me! I had 4 blisters and serious pain from them. I am contemplating Skechers but their design is definitely not classic. They have some classic designs, but not any more comfortable than my Oxford type shoe now. Any suggestions?

Here we have a thing called Clarke's I have a pair of their casual loafers, they're fitted and I wear them to death everywhere

 

[zebedee]

Don’t walk that far regularly in decent shoes. Leave them where you intend to wear them, if at all possible. If not, Marks and Spencers will do a good pair of Oxfords for 60-75 gbp.

I tend to get formal shoes handmade in HK (place called Zee’s in Tsim Sha Tsui). About 200 gbp per pair. He made me some Monk Straps for that price out of French calf: lasting for years and years, Vibram soles.

Aldens are awesome, but price, etc. You’ll really extend the life of good shoes with (as Monitor says) protector soles and shoe trees. A solid pair of Loakes might be your best bet.

 

[Tom71]

For few months I am trying to figure out which dress shoes would be best for 10-12 miles walk a day? Several times a year I have to do 5-7 day trip to Washington DC, where I do 10-12 miles a day of walking. It must be dress shoe that goes with suit and tie (no flexibility). Last trip absolutely killed me! I had 4 blisters and serious pain from them. I am contemplating Skechers but their design is definitely not classic. They have some classic designs, but not any more comfortable than my Oxford type shoe now. Any suggestions?

Not a good idea at all.

But if you absolutely must:

They need to fit properly; blisters are caused by friction (foot moves inside the shoe), sores by too much pressure. It´s a dilemma of sorts: if you walk that far, blood will rusch into your feet big time, making them swell. Shoes that foit well in the morning, will be too tight in the evening/after the hike.
You absolutely need to be able to adjust the shoe to this, so lace-up is mandatory. Don´t size up (standard recommendation of shoes-salespersons) as by the time your feet adjust to the shoe, you will have blisters from the feet moving around the shoe (usually at the heel area as this cannot be adjusted by the lacing).

I´d recommend calf for the outer layers as this is a fairly soft leather that won´t lead to excessive pressure on your feet.

Try the shoes for some walks at home; inspect your feet. Parts that get sore or hurt, are obviously sensitive areas. Tape those areas up (no band-aids as they will only increase the friction before the walk.

Good luck. Last comment is that this amount of wear over a concentrated period of time will reap havoc on both the last and the sole of any good shoe.