Oxford Shoes

Hi guys,

Just wanted your advice on reasonable shoes for 2011 SA class.

It seems as though cap toe oxford's are the way to go, but since AE's are fairly expensive and I can't seem to find any Johnston and Murphy's in Toronto, what do you think of the Bostonian Andover?

http://bostonian.zappos.com/n/p/p/7186551/c/72.ht…

Or, what do you think of these plain toe oxford's from ecco? (I don't like the visible logo but it should be covered by your trousers, anyway)

http://www.eccocanada.com/trentino-1.html

Thanks for your input.

100 Comments
 

Both are fine, technically speaking oxfords are more conservative (also am NOT a fan of logos on formal shoes) Having said this, get the ones that are on better sale

Also neither of the shoes are really proper oxfords bur rather a less formal kind of shoe called "derby" as they seem to have open lacing - which refers to the way the shoe is constructed - the sides of the shoe are sewn on top of the front part

 
ILOVENYGUYJust don't get anything with a square toe!

^ This. Absolutely avoid square toes. They're an easy way to look like you don't know how to dress.

I'm a big fan of wingtips. It would be good to have one pair of each.

 

get the bostonians for now, but fyi, keep an eye on the styleforum.net buy and sell forums, i copped some Allen Edmonds from there (good condition) for over 50% off. They often have great deals.

 

^Agree with warhead. You can get some really high end stuff for cheap on styleforum. Though for a first pair of decent shoes I would go with the bostonians. You can get them at DSW for cheap as well ~$80-70 depending on a sale.

dum vivimus vivamus
 

I generally don't like how shiny the Andover is. I had some Bostonian (non-shiny) cap toe that lasted forever. Ordered this one couple of days ago, just cause it was so cheap. Not sure how the quality will hold. They had the same on sale at Macy's for $55 http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Product.bos?itemNumber=38871 http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=276052

 
iambatemanAE park ave.
+1 The AE park avenue is the BEST choice for decently priced, good quality yet conservative business footwear. However, unless he buys used, even an on sale AE park avenue is outside of his price range. Or at least i would guess so looking at the shoes he's suggesting.
 

I have the Johnston & Murphy Dawson Cap Toe, and I feel like I can run 5 miles in them they are so comfortable. Very reasonable, I got them on sale for $150 at Zappos.

 
Best Response

Sign up for GILT Group. If you have until SA orientation to have a decent pair of shoes you'll have plenty of time to come across a better brand than you could otherwise normally afford.

Just make sure you sign up for pre-sale email notifications that let you know about a sale before it starts so you can grab your merchandise right away.

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 

The only problem with Gilt is that they rarely ever have 13s for us mafuggas with giant feet. Almost always caps at 12, leaving me out to dry.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

Oxfords are a really good choice for a comfortable alternative to heels, and trendier than flats! There are numerous places that sell cheap versions if you are looking for just anything. I would check out Urban Outfitters - they have a lot of different options at reasonable prices. Otherwise, for extremely cheap pairs, look at Forever21.

 

Depends on the bank, but khakis should be fine for business casual - just make sure they are made of quality material and fit well - you don't want to look like you belong in IT. Generally, going a bit darker with your khakis helps there. I'd definitely say no to olive green trousers - this isn't the army.

Loafers are also probably a bit casual for an intern. If you do get them, stay away from the horse-bit, that's too flash. No need to limit yourself to oxfords, but in general, something with laces would be a good place to start.

 

[quote=aceofspadestrader]Thanks for the help drexel. Here's what i'm looking at for the khaki and olive colors and quality of pant:

http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Product_11001_10050_229094[/quote]

Those look fine online, but I'd be worried what they'd look like in person. Also, at that price, I'd consider Hickey/Hickey Freeman or J. Press, which I think are better quality than Jos A. Bank

 

Gucci horsebit loafers are never a bad choice. For business casual, the Allen Edmonds Maxfield loafer is a nice choice, as are any of a number of AE's others or Cole Haan.

Also, for a dress shoe you can't go wrong with the Allen Edmonds Park Ave in black or burgundy (is it called merlot now?), or the Johnston Murphy Hyde Park II (basically a nicer/more comfortable version of the Melton). All three of these shoes are classic banker shoes and I see them a lot - you'd fit in just fine.

Good luck this summer buddy.

 

Personally, I think that loafers are fine in a business formal environment. In London it's a different story... and don't get me started on brown shoes (I think the saying is "no brown in town" or something along those lines). New York is certainly more casual when it comes to dress standards, even in business formal environments. I really don't think that laced shoes are necessary.

Take my advice with a grain of salt as this is just what I've seen through experience (including client meetings, etc). If anyone has had a different experience, please share.

 

I have some Donald Pliners that are rubber soled and honestly, they are pretty comfortable. I have had those shoes for about 5 years and they are holding up pretty well. I will agree that I tend to prefer leather soles, but I don't think rubber is a taboo that so many people make it out to be.

 

^ def agree.

As for the Presidios.. the rubber sole is very well made and uses goodyear welt construction. 100% recraftable. tough to notice that its even rubber

 

allen edmonds has good shoes, a bit more expensive compared to j&m though..i think their cheapest ones start at 250-300 with most shoes in the 300s and up...park avenues and sohos are very popular (own a pair of these myself and like them lots). i've heard lots of people say they found great deals on ebay but haven't had much luck with size 12/13s myself...but there do seem to be a lot of shoes available online in smaller sizes

 

those are pretty much the only two brands you need to consider. and for what it's worth, allen edmonds at regular price is already cheaper than alden, and the ebay deals for AE make the price difference that much greater.

 

those shoes look retarded. regardless, no one will give a shit.

"Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them." - Bud Fox
 

Definitely get the Park Avenues. Those are classic, very popular, and will last you a while.

As for the others, I really like the Walden and Verona. The Lowry Hill tassels look far too tacky in my opinion.

Between the Walden and Verona, I t the Walden is probably a safer bet as some might consider the horse bit on the Verona a tad too aggressive for an SA. That being said though, if you feel comfortable with it then by all means go with the Verona.

 

My vote goes to the Walden penny loafers. Park Aves are the most versatile if you ever anticipate wearing a suit, sure, but they're still boring. Tassel loafers... no, unless you qualify for AARP ;). Bit loafers are risky. People might give you some shit for wearing them as an intern. Btw, those are some expensive shoes you're checking out. You could easily spend half of the money on full price shoes from Cole Haan or Sebago.

 
turtles

My vote goes to the Walden penny loafers. Park Aves are the most versatile if you ever anticipate wearing a suit, sure, but they're still boring. Tassel loafers... no, unless you qualify for AARP ;). Bit loafers are risky. People might give you some shit for wearing them as an intern. Btw, those are some expensive shoes you're checking out. You could easily spend half of the money on full price shoes from Cole Haan or Sebago.

Thanks for the input! I've been working at a small HF since Freshman year so I've got plenty of cash saved up. I also figure that the higher quality clothes you buy the more use you get out of them bringing the long term cost down.

"The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets." -John D. Rockefeller
 

I like the Park Avenue the best because it is a timeless design.

"The illegal we do immediately; the unconstitutional takes a little longer."
 

Black and brown Park Ave's and Waldens. Also, I have the Verona's and FYI they are super narrow, you might need a size up... just sayin. Also, definite "no" on the tassels. Also, I would recommend the Firenze over the Verona.

"That dude is so haole, he don't even have any breath left."
 

I actually just bought the third shoe for like $70 at an outlet. It's a good shoe for the price. I'd only go with lace-ups for interviews though.

 

I have the third pair as well. I didnt love them at first because they seemed really conservative. I wore them for the first time to a final round BB interview, started liking them that first day and then i found out I got the offer. It was all the shoes haha..

but ya they are solid shoes and you will start to liek them.

get the third.

 

I'd say the majority of the finance professionals I know wear loafers as opposed to lace-ups.

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My dad always wears loafers (except when going to a more formal meeting) because he travels a lot and they are comfortable.

Really for an SA it doesn't matter that much. How much you spend isn't important, if you can find two pairs that aren't ridiculously fashion-forward for say $50 a piece, go for it. Nobody is going to call you out on having cheap shoes unless they look like shit, and most of the cheaper options don't look like shit, they're just not as durable and sure as hell not hand made.

phantom +1 for Illini

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

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