First Black Oxford Purchase: Tips Please!

[Roen]

I currently own a pair of black loafers (XC4 Stanton Moc Venetian, $160) and a pair of brown derbys (XC4 Branning Moc Toe, $170), both from Johnston & Murphy. I prefer their shoes (but am no means tied to them) because their soles + dr scholls gel insoles have been effective at getting rid of plantar fascitis.

However, my shoe styles leave me with no true formal shoe.

I'm thinking of getting one, possibly two pairs of formal shoes. The first would be a black oxford. The second would be an oxblood oxford.

Questions:
1. What type of toe should I be getting? Cap toe? Plain toe?
2. What other brands should I look at that cost around the same and offer similar quality relief for plantar fascitis, but are built to higher quality standards? From I read, JoMu is on the higher end of glued shoes.

All input is appreciated!

 

[Amir]

For me, the answer would be Allen Edmonds Park Ave, in black (*when on sale*).

 

[Roen]

Park Avenue Factory Seconds?

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[tropicalbob]

Either the Allen Edmonds factory seconds or the outlet. I recently bought a beautiful pair of the Jefferson model in black. Very nice and very comfortable. The problem with J&M is that few of their styles can be resoled: it's really distressing to have a perfectly nice pair of shoes that you have to throw out for that reason. I've also found that, despite manufacturers"s claims about their super-duper, secret formulas for comfortable soles, nothing's as good in the long run as well-made, cork-lined Dainite or Goodyear-welted soles.

 

[Roen]

What's more formal, cap toe oxford or plain toe derby?


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[viclip]

What's more formal, cap toe oxford or plain toe derby?


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I'd say plain cap toe oxford is the most formal

 

[Hap Hapablap]

Roen, when you say "formal" do you mean literally for formalwear, or just something snazzier than a derby? I personally don't like derbies with suits, so good on you for grabbing some oxfords. A cap-toed oxford is great with suits, and definitely the best choice for daytime formal and semiformal dress (cutaway or stroller/Stresemann). If you're talking about evening formalwear (white tie/black tie), I'd go with a patent leather oxford.

 

[Roen]

Roen, when you say "formal" do you mean literally for formalwear, or just something snazzier than a derby? I personally don't like derbies with suits, so good on you for grabbing some oxfords. A cap-toed oxford is great with suits, and definitely the best choice for daytime formal and semiformal dress (cutaway or stroller/Stresemann). If you're talking about evening formalwear (white tie/black tie), I'd go with a patent leather oxford.

So no derbies with formalwear?


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[Hap Hapablap]

So no derbies with formalwear?


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Just a personal preference, I guess. But again, I guess it depends on what you mean by formalwear. I would say no for tuxedos, tails, cutaways, strollers, etc. I would say yes for sports jackets, mix-and-match ensembles, etc.