SHOES for transit
I know many people will keep nicer dress shoes in the office, then wear sneakers for transit.
What shoes do you guys transit in?
Feel like this really messes with the overall aura, I mean, it’s outside of the office where you’re going to be seen anyways.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, many professionals opt for sneakers or more casual, comfortable shoes during their commute, especially if it involves significant walking or public transportation. This approach helps preserve their dress shoes and ensures comfort. Some even leave their dress shoes at the office to avoid carrying them back and forth.
For example: - A user mentioned leaving a pair of black and brown Allen Edmonds at work and commuting in more durable, casual shoes to avoid wear and tear on their dress shoes. - Others suggest sneakers like New Balance or Common Projects for transit, though opinions vary on how these affect the "aura" of professionalism.
If you're concerned about maintaining a polished look outside the office, consider sleek, minimal sneakers or loafers that balance comfort and style.
Sources: Leaving Shoes at Work, New To Formal Fashion? Start Here. PT1, girls internship attire, Should Women Wear Heels at Work?, So is it all sneakers now?
Unless you've got some crazy walking commute you shouldn't need to switch your shoes. Leather is a resilient material if you care for it, and if your leather shoes aren't comfortable enough to wear for a reasonable walk then they probably don't fit you right, or they're bad shoes
Use a brannock device to confirm your size & width (critical), and then get shoes with the right height vamp for your instep
A couple years ago I learned I was a different size x width than I thought I was and had a high instep so needed "taller" shoes than many e.g. oxfords were -- once I switched to shoes that fit I no longer found leather shoes uncomfortable
I agree to a certain extent, however, scuffing up your shoes as you go up the stairs or slide against things really irks me and your shoes won't always be pristine and ready for meetings and events unless you have quick access to get them shined. Plus, if it rains and you have leather soles than you have to make much more of an effort to dry them so I find wearing a pair of black low key sneakers is best for commuting.
It sounds like you've got a good routine down, but I've found ways around the other two issues
Re: scuffs, if you're properly caring for your shoes which IMO requires 3 products (Saphir Renovateur, Saphir pigmented cream polish, and Saphir Pâte de Luxe wax) then you just need to buff them to move the waxes around (i.e. don't need to actually apply more product). Any sort of non-coarse cloth can do this decently enough, but I do keep a mini brush at my desk if I need it
Re: leather soles, I have swapped over to city soles (leather soles with rubber cap on the bottom) or at least apply sole protectors
curious about this as well as an incoming analyst. like the idea to make my dress shoes last longer
I have a few pairs of Allen Edmonds (park aves, 5th aves, mccalisters) with dainite soles as my everyday / beater shoes. Works decently well but am intrigued by this thread - I wear boots in truly bad weather but would be interested in some comfortable / waterproof sneakers for when it’s a little wet.
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