Shoes from nordstrom - Recommendations?

These aren't bad price-wise. Park Avenues will probably be out of your range.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2822_1_40000000001_-1

I just got a pair of AE for ~250. They go on sale at random times. I bet if you do some searching/fatwallet couponing you can get decent AE for ~200.

Keep in mind these are great shoes and will last you 10+ years, if not way longer. It is worth paying a little more for something you will have for a decade.

how are these? are these "squared toe?" I cant really tell the difference

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/allen-edmonds-firenze-loafer/3084499?origin…

TheKid1, I have a pair of Kenneth Coles that look exactly like those that I got for $130 at nordstrom. been wearing them for a couple of weeks and they only have small wrinkles in the leather. I don't know much about shoes but if looks is all you are concerned about then you can find what you are looking for in the low 100s range.

tods

Ferragamo's, brah

can someone link a round toed? I cant tell the difference

always go round

thxs connor...does AE make oxfords?

Church's English Shoes. They are worth the money and they are having a sale right now in their Madison Ave store. If you doubt me, just do a side-by-side comparison with AE. I would easily pay twice as much for C than AE. They last forever (if you take care of them)..

I agree with turtles... +1 SB.

As long as they look right (i.e. they are simple basic Oxfords in black, the sole doesn't look like it belongs on a basketball shoe and they have a leather upper/vamp) then they're appropriate.

The difference between a pair of $800 Church's or a $100 pair of no-name Oxfords bought on sale is how they feel, the craftsmanship and how long they will last if maintained properly. They're both appropriate.

@relinquis, is that picture Church's or John Lobb?

And a good pair of American made shoes is Alden. Will put a dent in your wallet, but they are worth it!

loafers are more comfortable than oxfords, but which is preferred ?

@streetwannabe

They're Church's... You can check them out on Mr Porter http://www.mrporter.com/product/173101 or on Church's website. I have a pair and they're great. I also have a pair by Carmina, a Spanish shoemaker and I can highly recommend them. They may not have a store in the US, but you should be able to find a retailer that stocks them.

As for the advise to the fresh grads, I think they shouldn't feel the pressure to get the most expensive shoe for their first pair. They'll already have a lot of costs for assembling their business wardrobe between a couple of suits and half a dozen shirts and some ties. Many will also be dealing with moving to an expensive city and such.

It does make sense to splurge on the next pair. Good comfortable shoes matter when you're wearing them for 10+ hrs a day.

Another tip. Go shoe shopping in the evening as your feet will be more swollen / bigger and make sure the kind of shoe you're getting fits comfortably even if you end up ordering it online.

Those Church's look nice, but i'd much rather drop $300 on a pair of johnston and murphy alden II cap toes (which i've done twice), which are made from calf skin and in my opinion look just as good.... save the big shoe expense for loafers - ferragamo's and, where i come from - belgian's

do yourself a favor and get fitted at bergdorf, AE, Alden or where ever you're thinking about possibly getting shoes. the construction of the shoe is secondary to the fit. once you've determined the best size/last for you among different brands, search online. nordstrom's annual sale is pretty solid, but you can find some deeply discounted shoes at yoox, afinepairofshoes, etc. i'd stay away from fashion brands for your first couple of pairs--ferragamo, bruno magli.

Nordstrom has the AE Clifton on sale for $199 as part of the men's sale. Great deal.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/allen-edmonds-clifton-oxford/2892042

AE has a ton of "factory second" shoes on sale for $199 - $229. Plenty of very conservative business-appropriate shoes for $199. If you are just starting out and want a good pair of shoes and are willing to sacrifice a little bit (maybe they have a small scratch or blemish, but that kind of thing would happen in the first dozen or so wears anyway) then go for it. I bought a few pairs and in all honesty could not tell what was supposedly "second" about them. I'm sure it varies per actual pair of shoes, but that was my experience.

PM me if you're interested. Also I believe shipping is free.

If anyone is having blister issues, go and buy a role of moleskin tape. Unlike band-aids, the tape never slips off.

My AE Park Aves are actually pretty uncomfortable, but I think that is mostly due to my slightly strangely shaped foot and I probably could have bumped up the size up a bit. I have a pair of Cole Haan's that are extremely comfortable, just not quite as polished looking. No one really gives a shit about your shoes at junior levels. Find something comfortable, conservative, and relatively fashionable.

whats wrong with square-toed?

From GQ, "Unless you're a placekicker circa 1970, avoid square-toe shoes."

A nice pair of Cole Haans at Nordstrom rack go from $100-$150. Insanely comfortable too.

For less than $200, you can get Meermin shoes, from the maker of Carmina. These are easily better than Allen Edmonds and on the same level as Church's and Crockett & Jones (goodyear welted, great finishing, superb leather, etc.). With the weak Euro, I picked up two pairs for about $370 shipped. Link here: http://meermin.es/catalogo2.php?id=1

After confirming my sizing, I'll probably order two more pairs. Really, it represents the greatest value for the money in the $150 to $400 range.

loafers are pretty sharp... how is the fit? true to size / medium, wide, narrow?

They're UK sizing and it depends on the last. For the most part, take your US sizing and size down one. Most of the classic collection is on the Hiro or Olfe last, which is fairly standard (E width, which is the equivalent of a US "D" or medium). The best thing to do is contact them and they can walk you through the process to get the right size (I sent in an outline of my feet, but that's optional).

For more info on lasts:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2dyjhkLq21r3fk48o1_1280.jpg