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Should I avoid brown shoes as a summer intern?
 

WallStreetStandard's picture
(Orangutan, 289
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:24pm

Hi,

I have dark gray and navy suits and I think they look great with brown shoes.
However, I think it looks kind of informal and wouldn't want my employers to think I'm overconfident, arrogant or something.

Have you seen any summer interns wear brown shoes with their suits?
Do you think it's appropriate?

Thanks.

holla_back's picture

Brown shoes like this should

O
(King Kong, 1,195
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:31pm

Brown shoes like this should be fine: http://imgur.com/oLx9Q

I would avoid something like this, however: http://imgur.com/pn5L9

Do you plan on wearing only one pair of shoes for the entire summer? A pair of high-quality black captoes is a great investment that could last you ~10 years or so.

BlackHat's picture

My understanding is that you

HF
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:34pm

My understanding is that you should have a pair of black shoes and a pair of brown shoes. But like the poster above said, don't get carried away. That goes for just about every piece of clothing you buy though.

I hate victims who respect their executioners

Follow BH & Co. on Twitter: @DumbLuckCapital
twitter.com/DumbLuckCapital

WallStreetStandard's picture

I have one pair of black

(Orangutan, 289
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:40pm

I have one pair of black shoes, tried a few days ago my suits with brown shoes (not mine) and liked it.
I was thinking to go for these in brown:
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.j...

I can't really spend more than 150-200 (they have a nice discount of 50 bucks on these ones).

In reply to WallStreetStandard
holla_back's picture

WallStreetStandard: I have

O
(King Kong, 1,195
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:43pm
WallStreetStandard:

I have one pair of black shoes, tried a few days ago my suits with brown shoes (not mine) and liked it.
I was thinking to go for these in brown:
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.j...

I can't really spend more than 150-200 (they have a nice discount of 50 bucks on these ones).

I recommend dropping another $100 or so -- look into Allen Edmonds. While the shoes you linked aren't exactly terrible, there's a huge quality difference between a pair of $150 shoes and a pair of $300 shoes.

In reply to holla_back
WallStreetStandard's picture

holla_back: WallStreetStand

(Orangutan, 289
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 4:54pm
holla_back:
WallStreetStandard:

I have one pair of black shoes, tried a few days ago my suits with brown shoes (not mine) and liked it.
I was thinking to go for these in brown:
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.j...

I can't really spend more than 150-200 (they have a nice discount of 50 bucks on these ones).

I recommend dropping another $100 or so -- look into Allen Edmonds. While the shoes you linked aren't exactly terrible, there's a huge quality difference between a pair of $150 shoes and a pair of $300 shoes.

I found a very nice pair on Allen Edmonds' website but its $335 :\
I can't afford it atm... I will def get them when I get the full time offer :)

bullbythehorns's picture

they have allen edmonds

O
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 5:09pm

they have allen edmonds discounted to 120 all the time at nordstrom rack

Here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, you are the sucker.

cplpayne's picture

Allen Edmonds' are too

IB
(Gorilla, 518
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 5:52pm

Allen Edmonds' are too stiff......You can usually find a good pair of Bruno Magli shoes on sale for $300 - $350 and they are way better quality than Edmonds'

"One should recognize reality even when one doesn't like it, indeed, especially when one doesn't like it." - Charlie Munger

In reply to cplpayne
holla_back's picture

cplpayne: Allen Edmonds' are

O
(King Kong, 1,195
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 7:08pm
cplpayne:

Allen Edmonds' are too stiff......You can usually find a good pair of Bruno Magli shoes on sale for $300 - $350 and they are way better quality than Edmonds'

Most BMs are priced at 1.5x that of AEs; they also have a huge quality range.

While many guys will eventually graduate from Allen Edmonds at some point, they're still far-and-away the best entry-level grown up shoes available.

UncleMilty's picture

Would tasteful brown shoes be

 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 9:39pm

Would tasteful brown shoes be a major faux pas on a first day?

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is."
- Oscar Wilde
"Seriously, psychology is for those with two x chromosomes."
- RagnarDanneskjold

In reply to UncleMilty
design's picture

UncleMilty: Would tasteful

IB
(Gorilla, 671
 
Points)
 on 5/26/12 at 11:21pm
UncleMilty:

Would tasteful brown shoes be a major faux pas on a first day?

Really...?

Whatever, I'll take the bait. Brown shoes are fine, as long as it isn't some ridiculous alligator skin material. Just make sure the color of your belt matches the color of your shoes (if you wear a belt).

rothyman's picture

My rule of thumb is always

HF
(King Kong, 1,163
 
Points)
 on 5/27/12 at 12:37am

My rule of thumb is always wear black shoes to your interview, review, first day and any event in which you're being scrutinized (unless you're an older BSD.. then you can wear whatever you want).

Other than that, I think brown shoes with navy pants look fantastic. As long as you look good without looking ridiculous, then you should be fine. It's very possible to stand out in a 'good way' if you do it tactfully. Little things like a tie bar can do this as well.

In reply to rothyman
gammaovertheta's picture

rothyman: My rule of thumb is

ST
 
Points)
 on 5/27/12 at 3:15am
rothyman:

My rule of thumb is always wear black shoes to your interview, review, first day and any event in which you're being scrutinized (unless you're an older BSD.. then you can wear whatever you want).

Other than that, I think brown shoes with navy pants look fantastic. As long as you look good without looking ridiculous, then you should be fine. It's very possible to stand out in a 'good way' if you do it tactfully. Little things like a tie bar can do this as well.

Do not wear a tie bar unless you're a rainmaker. Ever. Otherwise, good comment

BlackHat's picture

Johnston & Murphy for cheaper

HF
 
Points)
 on 5/27/12 at 5:52pm

Johnston & Murphy for cheaper alternative to the AlleMonds Park Aves... Can't go wrong there as an SA or first year FT guy. Tie bars are just stupid in general IMO, and if it's your first day show a little respect for the job and wear a goddamn suit, black shoes, and don't give that wet noodle handshake that all the Asian kids give during their interviews.

/rant

I hate victims who respect their executioners

Follow BH & Co. on Twitter: @DumbLuckCapital
twitter.com/DumbLuckCapital

how are

BeenPrepping (not verified)
(Chimp, 0
 
Points)
 on 5/29/12 at 3:43pm

how are these?

http://www.zappos.com/allen-edmonds-park-avenue-wa...

Whgm45's picture

Guys, he's an SA he doesn't

ST
(Orangutan, 308
 
Points)
 on 5/29/12 at 5:20pm

Guys, he's an SA he doesn't need Allen Edmonds.

In reply to Whgm45
Boothorbust's picture

If he's in NY he should check

O
(King Kong, 1,130
 
Points)
 on 5/29/12 at 5:29pm
WallStreetStandard's picture

already bought the Cole Haan

(Orangutan, 289
 
Points)
 on 5/29/12 at 5:35pm
Bobb's picture

Can try Ebay as well. If you

AM
 
Points)
 on 5/30/12 at 2:29pm
In reply to Whgm45
holla_back's picture

Whgm45: Guys, he's an SA he

O
(King Kong, 1,195
 
Points)
 on 5/30/12 at 2:50pm
Funkfreed's picture

Cuz he said he can't afford

(Baboon, 147
 
Points)
 on 5/30/12 at 2:55pm
FormerHornetDriver's picture

I had a pair of Bruno Magli's

IB
(Orangutan, 363
 
Points)
 on 6/8/12 at 1:32pm
Cornelius's picture

its fine

(King Kong, 1,707
 
Points)
 on 6/8/12 at 7:48pm

------------
I'm making it up as I go along.

HumPiranha88's picture

Brown shoes all day errday.

ER
(Baboon, 129
 
Points)
 on 6/12/12 at 6:04am
WallStreetStandard's picture

Btw guys, dark brown shoes is

(Orangutan, 289
 
Points)
 on 6/19/12 at 6:54pm
Revan's picture

no one should have problems

(Chimp, 5
 
Points)
 on 6/23/12 at 8:28pm

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