Appropriate shoes for internship?

I'm having a hard time understanding what is appropriate or even considered a quality look. I see that square toed is seen as a negative, but what exactly is considered square? If you can post a picture of what is considered the "perfect shoe", that'd be awesome. Are loafers okay? How much shine is okay? What colors are okay?

Are these shoes alright?

http://www.onlineshoes.com/mens-bostonian-andover…

Thanks guys

31 Comments
 

Those shoes are fine. Square toed shoes look like a box. I'd say go with black. If you're going to buy a second pair, dark brown works too.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

These shoes are fine. I understand why you may worry about your appearance because it's something in your control, but no one really cares.

Focus on networking with people at work, and you will be fine.

Life is too short to be on WSO. But here I am.
 
Best Response

If I were you I would spend a little bit of extra money to get these

https://www.johnstonmurphy.com/melton-cap-toe/2388.html?dwvar_2388_colo…

Higher quality leather plus a goodyear welt means these will look better and last longer as they can be resoled. Also, this seems picky, but technically formal black shoes should have closed lacing. The ones you linked have open lacing, which technically makes them a derby (as opposed to an oxford) ie less formal/professional.

I believe shoes and belts are the parts of your wardrobe worth spending extra money on. These things separate you from the ground, and a nice pair will last for years. Contrary to what's often said, your average banker who owns a pair of allen edmonds can spot a cheap shoe pretty quickly. Now, if you're an intern it's probably fine and no one is really going to judge you for it. But in my opinion you might as well make the investment now, look good, and not worry about buying new shoes when you start full time.

 

Thanks for the response! Yeah I have a nordstrom card and they actually have those exact pair, so I might just do that. Are loafers appropriate for interns and 1st years? Or should I stick with oxfords?

Just because I also found these and they seem alright. They're Cole Haan, which according to this site is pretty decent quality.

https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/1719525/cole-haan-aiden-gran…

Here are some Allen Edmonds for pretty cheap too. https://www.nordstromrack.com/events/127159/products/988468?color=BLACK#

 

You should hold off on loafers until you have at least two pairs of oxfords, one in black and one in brown. Cole Haan isn't as high of quality as they once were, and I'll echo what other posters say about outlet shoes. Allen Edmonds models are completely different, and certainly of a lower quality.

That said, Nordstrom should be having their anniversary sale soon. Allen Edmonds Park Aves should drop to around the 250 range, so if you're willing to stretch your budget that far that would be my recommendation.

 

Go on the Allen Edmonds website and find me any of the models sold at nordstrom rack. There's a reason none of them are listed. For the most part, the AE by allen edmonds line is made in the Dominican Republic specifically for outlet stores like this. I will admit that there will occasionally be mainline Allen Edmonds at nordstrom rack for overstock purposes, but those are going to be harder to find and will certainly be a one off thing.

 

Those shoes are fine -- it really comes down to personal preference and I'm not sure what you're going to be interning in but from my experiences in equity research and trading not as many people wear lace ups. It's more common to see people wearing bit loafers. Some people go by the rule "only tie your shoes when you're tying a tie."

Brown/burgundy/black are all solid just make sure they look good with the rest of what you're wearing and that your belt matches. Cole Haan's Ascot bit loafers are an excellent choice and Alden makes some amazing quality ones if you're looking to go slightly up market. I'm a huge fan of Alden as the quality is impeccable and they're specifically made to be resoled over and over again, therefore they'll last you many years.

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros
 

Go with Allen Edmonds. You'll pay more but the quality is well worth it. I've had a pair of black cap toe shoes for 10 years and they still look great.

 

You never go wrong with black. From a female professional's perspective, and given that we observe those details, these shoes are fine. But guys actually dont care, as long as it is clean!

 

www.shoebank.com - by far the best place to buy dress shoes

These are outlet quality Allen Edmonds, which are their normal shoes that contain slight cosmetic imperfections so they can't be sold on their mainline stores.

I've bought 3 pairs from them, never noticed a single thing about them. I think dark brown is the best choice for a work environment, but black is obviously fine also.

 

I don't know why everyone is so obsessed with Allen Edmond's, they're nice, not really the most comfortable, but they're ok. Lately they've become a lot more expensive than they were years ago as well, I think its just the fact that some people on here read the book American Psycho, in which Patrick Bateman talks about how he wears Allen Edmonds.

 

OP, I think you are overthinking this. Just get decent dress shoes. Not sure why everyone here freaks out about what shoe or belt they have. Focus on doing well at work, not on your apparel.

Array
 

They should be fine - I doubt anyone will care much about at your shoes. If you're in a really conservative office and/or group though and you want to play it safer, you could get a pair with less broguing (the decorative perforations). If you want to be even more formal, you could get balmorals (the area below the laces doesn't jut out) instead of bluchers (what you have right now).

Most importantly though, get a pair that's comfortable. And unless you have a lot of money saved up, don't bother dropping $300+ for Allen Edmonds/Alden/etc. You'll have plenty of time to round out your wardrobe to your style and liking after you get your full-time offer.

Congrats and good luck on your internship!

 

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