Brogue Dress Shoes okay?

Should be fine, no one will be looking at your shoes. Black would be better IMO

prefer the fifth avenue model.... black is certainly the way to go.

make sure to pack the white tube socks.

Not the Vernon. The Fifth Ave is fine, I have those in walnut calf but honestly, they're too ostentatious as a summer, as I discovered.

Stick with black calf or brown, avoid walnut. If you do have walnut, your belt needs to match, and that's simply too loud. If you want another Allen Edmonds model, look at the Park Ave. You should only get that in black though, because the walnut comes in grain leather, and that's not at all office appropriate.

Black is the way to go

I think either of these should be ok if they're in black or dark brown; the Vernon's are definitely the more fashion-forward of the two. Lighter browns like the walnut calf are less formal and are probably not the right choice for an interview.

Dark brown (http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF5705_1_40000000001_-1) isn't too loud, is it?

Or Black > brown.

This will be my first dress shoe.

black > brown. you won't regret it. trust me.

Brown is indeed a versatile colour and goes well with chinos and jeans but when it comes to business wear, black is the way to go. It goes with all major suit colours: Navy, charcoal, grey. For now black is the better investment. Trust me, the quaility is what will make you stand out, not the colour. Its easy to spot a pair of Allens and those that do, will appreciate it and its more important to be "noticed" by those than by the ones that can't tell the difference. The colour brown will most probably just draw unwanted attention.

This is your first shoe?

Black, no question. It is the basic. You don't buy a weekend car before you buy the daily driver, same principle here. You need something you can interview in, wear on a date, attend a funeral in, and spend a night out in. Black works for all those occasions and more. It is the staple to your wardrobe, and until you have it, you can't work around it.

Fifth Ave or Park Ave is not a big decision, both are fine.

If this is actually your first dress shoe (how the fuck that is even possible is beyond me) black is the answer. Period.

my first real dress shoes. i'm not counting my cheap glued loafers

thanks for the tips everyone

None other than black my friend! [:)]

They're perfect for the office, and their heels are perfect for grinding into the faces of the poor. Enjoy your $400 shoes.