A question for the shoe mavens, Matt Deckard, et al

[chucklehead]

(For men)
When do I wear pointy shoes? Round toed shoes? & Sqaure toed shoes?
thanks much.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You decide. All three types of toes have been popular at various times for various shoes, be they casual or formal. There's no hard and fast rule about this. (Well, maybe one: don't wear extremely pointed or extremely square toed shoes for business or black tie.)


If we're talking about colors, types of leathers, shapes and thicknesses of soles and heels, and shapes of uppers ... all of those are more governed by the "rules." Toe shape, for the most part, is not.


Yours truly,

Mr. Et Al

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[chucklehead]

If we're talking about colors, types of leathers, shapes and thicknesses of soles and heels, and shapes of uppers ... all of those are more governed by the "rules."

what rules are those?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Mr. Et Al replies:


Those rules (for whatever they're worth) say that heavy shoes with heavy soles are for the countryside and the weekends, not for business. (The '60s and '70s forgot this rule when legions of middle management types began wearing massively heavy wingtip brogues in the boardroom.)

The rules also say that dress shoes for business and evening should have lighterweight soles, moderate heels, not-too-thick calfskin uppers, and a curved, streamlined (but not overly square or pointy) shape.



Now Chucklehead, could you stop calling me "et al"? Thanks!


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[chucklehead]

Mr. Et Al replies:
Now Chucklehead, could you stop calling me "et al"? Thanks!
.

how about just "al" then?lol

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Aw, heck: just call me "Matt Deckard."

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[Orgetorix]

Answer: Wear any of them you like, but go for subtle, not extreme, versions of the various shapes. Extremely square shoes look clunky, very pointed ones look effeminate, and overly round ones can look bulbous. So go with styles that are elegant and vary subtly.

For an example of what I'm talking about, go to British shoemaker Gaziano & Girling's website. On the main page, click "shoes," then "made to order," then "last designs." Look at the shapes of the toes and how they're described vis-a-vis one another. You can see none of them are extreme. These are the sort of styles that have been most common and considered most representative of masculine elegance for decades.

 

[chucklehead]

thanks for your kind answer. i guess the answer is always go understated.
less is more that kind of thing.

Answer: Wear any of them you like, but go for subtle, not extreme, versions of the various shapes. Extremely square shoes look clunky, very pointed ones look effeminate, and overly round ones can look bulbous. So go with styles that are elegant and vary subtly.

For an example of what I'm talking about, go to British shoemaker Gaziano & Girling's website. On the main page, click "shoes," then "made to order," then "last designs." Look at the shapes of the toes and how they're described vis-a-vis one another. You can see none of them are extreme. These are the sort of styles that have been most common and considered most representative of masculine elegance for decades.

 

[cookie]

Gaziano and Girling

Notice Orgetorix didn't tell you to buy any unless you have the "billete largo".

 

[Orgetorix]

Notice Orgetorix didn't tell you to buy any unless you have the "billete largo".

Yes, they're quite expensive. I love the look of them, but I doubt I'll ever own any.

 

[Orgetorix]

thanks for your kind answer.

Always glad to help.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Chucklehead, it's always good form to acknowledge those who take the time and effort to answer your questions. You seem to have had selective amnesia in this case. May I remind you of two efforts you've overlooked?


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309233&postcount=2

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309261&postcount=4

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[Orgetorix]

Marc, on behalf of Chucklehead--who is quite grateful but unable to be here and express it himself at the moment--thank you.

Chucklehead, it's always good form to acknowledge those who take the time and effort to answer your questions. You seem to have had selective amnesia in this case. May I remind you of two efforts you've overlooked?


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309233&postcount=2

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309261&postcount=4

.

 

[chucklehead]

I have such a bad memory. here goes:

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for all the joy and pain.
Picture shows, second balcony, was the place we'd meet, second seat, go Dutch treat, you were sweet.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for walks down lovers lane.
I can see, hearts carved on a tree, letters inter-twined, for all time, yours and mine, that was fine.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for funny cards from Spain.
I recall, Central Park in fall, how you tore your dress, what a mess, I confess, that's not all.

Danke Schoen, darling Danke Schoen.
Thank you for seeing me again.
Though we go, on our seperate ways, still the memory stays, for always, my heart says, Danke Schoen.



i really appreciate you help & guidance.

Chucklehead, it's always good form to acknowledge those who take the time and effort to answer your questions. You seem to have had selective amnesia in this case. May I remind you of two efforts you've overlooked?


http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309233&postcount=2

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showpost.php?p=309261&postcount=4

.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You missed one, Chucky.


THANK YOU VERY MUCH
From : Scrooge


On behalf of all the people who have assembled here
I would merely like to mention, if I may
That our unanimous attitude
Is one of lasting gratitude
For what our friend has done for us today
And therefore I would simply like to say :

Thank you very much
Thank you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
I may sound double Dutch
But my delight is such
I feel as if a losing war's been won for me

And if I had a flag, I'd hang me flag out
To let us all the final victory touch
But since I left me flag at home
I simply have to say :
Thank you very, very, very much
Thank you very, very, very much

Thank you very much
Thank you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
It sounds a bit bizarre
The things the way they are
I feel as if another life's begun for me
And if I had a cannon I would fire it
To let us all see the grace of touch
But since I left me cannon at home
I simply have to say :
Thank you very, very, very much
Thank you very, very, very much

For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow
And so say all of us

Thank you very much
Thank you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
It isn't every day
Good fortune comes me way
I never thought the future would be fun for me
And if I had a bugle I would blow it
To add a sort o' how's your father's touch
But since I left me bugle at home
I simply have to say :
Thank you very, very, very much
Thank you very, very, very much

SPOKEN:
No, no, dear friends, it is I who should thank you

Thank you very much
Thank you very much
That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me
The future looks alright
In fact it looks so bright
I feel as if they probably sing this song for me
And if I had a drum, I'd have to bang it
To add a sort o' rumpty tumpty touch
But since I left me drummer at home
I simply have to say :

Thank you very, very, very much
Thank you very, very, very much!


.

 

[chucklehead]

You missed one, Chucky.


For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow
And so say all of us

.

you'll have to update the lyrics.
due to political correctness "For he's a jolly good fellow"
has now been changed to " For it's a jolly good person" -george carlin

 

[Matt Deckard]

For the past 10 years you'd have to really go high end to get the round toed shoes I prefer. It's not just about the style, it's about the comfort. It's true that the narrow pointier toe has always been looked at as the dressier shoe. People want their feet to look sleek. The bigger shoe with the munson last look has always been the style with less of a bespoke look. Something for the masses that can fit anyone and be issued to soldiers.

The slim shoe may look better with a tuxedo, but I can't handle it! My feet are clunky monsters. Narrow in the heel and wide in the front. Regardless of the place and time I always go with bubble toed heavier looking shoes simply because they give my feet room for wiggle.

In 2013, I have luckily seen more of the style I like... the bubble toed beauties. the latin/Italian post WWII spearpoint toe is becoming less fashionable with Thom Browne pushing the clunky shoes to go with your super slim suit. It's a bit odd to the eye, but if you are like me and wear a wider legged pair of pants, then you are set to march around town looking quite balanced to the vintage eye.

An easy rule would be to say that with the shorter pants that are narrower you should go with a narrower shoe, and with the wider pants you should go with a clunkier shoe. It makes sense for the man that is just looking for a good combination for balance to the eye.

Wider legged pants with larger toed shoes.

Narrower pants narrower shoes.

The Thom Browne deliberately unbalanced bigfoot look.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I like any shoe that has some style, comfort and looks nice with what I would wear in total attire with the shoe. Thus my shoe selection and ownership of many different shoes brings a number of shoes in which I can put in the line up of what to wear each day of the week, with what attire I may wear, and mix all that in with what the weather may be doing that day or evening. I also (as you) like shoes that have some room in them.