What kind of Casual Shoes do ya'll wear?

I've always been a boat shoe guy but I've liked the look of a couple of drivers I've seen recently. Do you think it's worth it to drop $500 on a pair of shoes for the weekend? In particular I like these:

Gucci_Suede pebble bottom driver
Gucci_Driver with web detail
Ferragamo_Double Gancio
Ferragamo_Double Gancio_2

 

If you have to ask whether $500 is worth it, you probably shouldn't be buying them. Find some Rockports, Cole Haans, Clarks, etc and spend $100 or less. I know its not sexy like Gucci, but I've worn my Rockports 4 days a week for last 8-10 months and they still look great.

http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/product/Marcos_Drive/26068665?utm_source=g…

 

For long pants, desert boots are great, but are used more for every season other than summer. It really depends on what look you are trying to achieve. If you are more fratty or like to dress more "smart casual" than a good driver/casual loafer would definitely be on your list. If you like to wear more urban or street style, maybe a pair of jordons (ugh) or nike roshes or flywires would be to you liking.

 

Work the $500-600? I can't seem to find loafers that actually look good, except for ones made by Tod's. Could just be the brand that's influencing my perception though...

I tend to like a conservative look without the brand being shoved in your face (ex: gucci loafers).

 

Casual shoes are just that...casual. I buy shoes that I don't mind getting a little messy. I stick with Cole Haan drivers or Sperry boat shoes because the tend to still look appropriate after getting some scuffs or stains.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

I used to care a lot about fashion and have like 50 pairs of shoes. I regret spending so much money on clothes at such a young age immensely. Especially since I stopped caring about dressing up for anything but work. I just wear gray Chuck Taylors, shorts/jeans, and white Ts or sweaters mostly.

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 

Stick with something like Cole Haan if youre doing drivers. Im assuming that youre probably getting weird on weekends and there's no point in getting $500 shoes if youre gonna worry about them getting messed up. At the same time dont completely write off boat shoes like @adapt or die said, there are some higher end non-sperry boat shoes that actually look good and are quality that you dont have to break the bank for.

 

IMO, don't get those Gucci bamboo drivers...I bought a pair online but returned them after trying them on. They seemed a little nouveau riche in-person and aren't as classy as Gucci's classic horsebit-style shoes. I later saw the bamboo drivers all over Miami being worn by old men in white suits, so take that into account if you decide to buy.

That being said, I love Ferragamos. Both Parigi's that you posted are nice and will get the job done. I personally don't feel comfortable wearing suede to a bar/place they could get wet, but they do look good.

Check out Ferragamo's Daverio drivers...they're a little less flashy than Parigis because of the black gancio bit and they look great with jeans. Unfortunately they're not being produced anymore, but there are still some places selling new ones.

Impossible is nothing
 

I go with these. Lacoste leather half boot. The boot starts to look even better once you start wearing it a lot and give it a distressed look.

make it hard to spot the general by working like a soldier
 

Check out To Boot New York. I, as well as several friends, have 1-2 pairs and they get the job done. Not as cheap as Cole Haan, not as expensive as Gucci, Ferragamo, Tod's, and they have the look you're most likely looking for. Good for every occasion. I swear by the brand.

 

Another vote for canvas Van's classics. Clean, timeless, easy, looks good with about anything. Been wearing them for past 15 years, don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

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i have a few pairs I consider "casual sneakers". usually I don't wear socks so that is a huge factor for me

2 pairs of Cole Haan driving mocs, 1 leather 1 suede 3 Nike Flyknit Running Shoes, more comfy without socks than any other casual shoe you can own, once I can't run in a pair anymore I retire them into the casual rotation for a few months 1 pair of light khaki clark's desert boots

 

If you want some cheap but decent shoes that can go with jeans or business casual, look at Bostonian Boltons. I have a pair for general wear. They look nice, are comfortable, go well with jeans, and are not so expensive that when you ruin them from running through a muddy field while under the influence, you aren't super pissed, only slightly.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bostonian+bolton+flexlite+slip-on?prodId=226935…

If you can find mutiple boxes of your size, pick and choose the one with the best stiching. Since they are $70.00 the quality control isn't the same as you'd get with some AE shoes. But they are not bad at all. Some just look better under the microscope.

 
OilBaron:
If you want some cheap but decent shoes that can go with jeans or business casual, look at Bostonian Boltons. I have a pair for general wear. They look nice, are comfortable, go well with jeans, and are not so expensive that when you ruin them from running through a muddy field while under the influence, you aren't super pissed, only slightly.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bostonian+bolton+flexlite+slip-on?prodId=226935…

If you can find mutiple boxes of your size, pick and choose the one with the best stiching. Since they are $70.00 the quality control isn't the same as you'd get with some AE shoes. But they are not bad at all. Some just look better under the microscope.

These look great for the guy selling me my cell phone's data plan.

 
OilBaron:
If you want some cheap but decent shoes that can go with jeans or business casual, look at Bostonian Boltons. I have a pair for general wear. They look nice, are comfortable, go well with jeans, and are not so expensive that when you ruin them from running through a muddy field while under the influence, you aren't super pissed, only slightly.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bostonian+bolton+flexlite+slip-on?prodId=226935…

If you can find mutiple boxes of your size, pick and choose the one with the best stiching. Since they are $70.00 the quality control isn't the same as you'd get with some AE shoes. But they are not bad at all. Some just look better under the microscope.

So you like having a shovel on the end of your foot?

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

For weekend wear, here are some shoes that I've been wearing lately. Casual and comfortable, yet stylish and sleek at the same time. Great for a brunch date or afternoon coffee as well. I'll wear all of these with jeans.

Martegani Pub-Line sneakers: http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/ebitda/?action=view&current=bow…

Brooks Brothers Italian loafers (good for driving too): http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/ebitda/?action=view&current=bro…

Ferragamo "runners" (super lightweight, and rubber soles are very comfortable for casual and club wear): http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/ebitda/?action=view&current=fer…

You could also be like everyone else and just run out for a pair of Gucci or Ferragamo loafers.

These are all OK for work, and frankly, I could probably just wear tennis sneakers if I wanted to since there's nobody but me in the office on the weekends anyway.

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I wouldn't consider most topsiders and other boating shoes to be "edgy," -- in fact, I think they are very relaxed, and summer weekends are a great time to wear them.

peterg, interesting comment about the all-leather topsiders. Some of them are a little too "country-club" as you suggested. However, I've seen some nice ones too. As an example, here is a slightly distressed boatshoe from John Varvatos. Personally, I think these are quite tasteful. Whaddya think?

http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww17/ebitda/?action=view&current=var…

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Numi - Honestly, those look like the shoes my father would wear when he'd come home from a long day of quail hunting and we'd walk the estate while he smoked his pipe. I've provided a link in my original post. I do agree most leather ones are very "country club."

 
peterg:
Numi - Honestly, those look like the shoes my father would wear when he'd come home from a long day of quail hunting and we'd walk the estate while he smoked his pipe.

^^ Haha -- I love the narrative.

FWIW, I actually like the Varvatos, because I think the detailing gives it more of a modern look. Not sure when I would actually wear them though -- maybe if I spend more time on yachts, but I have a feeling that won't happen till the economy turns around.

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When I work weekends, the whole deal team is usually here... I've only worn jeans a couple of times when I had a particularly rough night the night before. I like Cole Haan Panama loafer. I bought a pair of the brown croc a few years back and liked them so much I bought another brown pebbled leather pair a few months later. They are really comfortable, I've worn them out at night with a nice pair of jeans, and they like 120-130 bucks.

 

[quote=jimbrowngoU] BTW, are Ferragamo moccasins OK for daily wear to work (with a suit)? I got the pair linked below (for a better deal than listed) and am hoping I can wear them to work during the week.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod4726005…]

I'll typically only wear bluchers or balmorals with a suit, but I've seen people wear moccasins too. For me, they're a bit too casual, but the average person won't care and probably won't even notice the difference.

As an alternative, since you're on the Neiman site, I'll point to the Ferragamo Fiorenzo's as a superior choice of footwear when pairing with a suit. They're from the Tramezza line, which is Ferragamo's superior line and about on par with the Crockett & Jones handgrades if you're familiar with them. The Fiorenzo's are bluchers (so some would consider them less "formal" than the balmorals), but the captoe and the medallion add a level of suave sophistication, and the Italian cut of the shoe gives it some nice style. Since they're about the same price as the moccasins you listed, you're much better up going with this pair of lace-ups if your intent is to find a pair of shoes with a suit. The black ones are fine, but the ones in auburn are really cool.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod3601008…

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Thanks guys. I'm only going to be an analyst starting this summer, and summer is business cas, rest of the year formal (suit). When I was interviewing I noticed a couple of analysts wearing moccasins/loafers, so I'm going to guess they're OK - but I definitely plan on getting another pair of lace-ups before I start.

numi, the auburn are REAL nice. Not sure how I feel about the toe (certainly not for an analyst), but I really like the shade. That being said, I think the Ferragamo's might be a bit out of my price range. The pair I have was sort of an impulse buy - I was at a Nordstrom just browsing and they just happened to have a one-day 50% sale on their in-stock Ferragamo's. I really liked the pair so I snatched them up for a pretty great price.

iambateman: Funny you posted those. That's the pair I think I'm going to get - love 'em. They're classic. I'm just waiting it out, hoping the Allen Edmonds store at my mall has a sale at some point. Do any departments carry Allen Edmonds?

 

Allen Edmonds has sales occasionally, but a shoe like the Park Avenue is so common that you can often find it discounted on eBay, or by calling Allen Edmonds directly and asking for "factory seconds." Most factory seconds are as good as new anyway, but can be discounted by like 30-50% off sticker price.

FYI, the Park Avenue is basically the classic captoe oxford. There isn't anything fancy or frilly about it, but that's OK -- it's a classic conservative business shoe. For your price point, it's definitely a good one to have; you can't go wrong with it. For a slightly more modern look, you might want to try the Soho instead -- it's similar to the Park Avenue, but has a sleeker cut and I think it's better for a high instep. Make sure to try both on in the store, because the Park Avenue and Soho are on different lasts and one may fit you better than the other. Personally, the reason I didn't buy a Park Avenue was because I felt that the last was too narrow for me (my foot has a high vamp).

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I have 5 different leather/suede Tod's Gommini driving loafers, perfect for casual office weekends and informal events. I'm a huge Ferragamo fan, but I tend to leave those for the work week. I have rocked my Ferragamo loafers to the office on the weekend, but I always feel overdressed (most guys where cross-trainers and old square-toes). For me, Tod's offers the best combination of casual style, maximum comfort, and reasonable price.

 

I like Tods too, but I've never bought a pair because of concerns that I'd wear down the gomminis if I ever used them for ordinary wear. Is it possible to wear these as normal street shoes, or are they literally intended for driving and light wear?

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jimbrowngoU:
Damn, that was a good find. I can't use it because I go to a liberal arts and not a university.

Pretty sure any .edu will do. I just signed up, pretty cool actually, they gave me a link and code to Brooks Brothers, and after filling in my address I get a Brooks Brothers corporate discount card good for 15% off until 2011 mailed to me. Pretty balling

 

these are the best shoes ive ever owned. bruno magli. super comfy, really nice leather, and they have a thin rubber sole (not leather) which makes them great city shoes.
http://mensfashion.about.com/od/shoesbeltsandmore/ss/BrunoMagliPicks.htm

i think im going to pick up some of those tods driving mocs. my only question do those soles hold up? i cant imagine owning a pair of shoes and not being able to walk around my neighborhood or walk to the subway http://www.dellamoda.com/tods-shoes-men-02.html

 

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