Men's DRESS BOOTS to suit all budgets.

[Bruce Wayne]

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF0111_1_40000000001_-1

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF7715_1_40000000001_-1

I own a pair of the above boots & so far I am happy with them.

 

[Edward]

They are only £60 (GBP), - I overpriced them, so apologies! but seem to run a size large (ie: I'm a UK 8, but their UK 7 fits me).

'If' you are in the UK, it really would be worth trying a pair on!

Paddy, you still wearing these? I wore mine hard for about a year, but the manmade sole has split on one of them, and I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth having a new one fitted. Timpsons are up to £99.00(!) now for new leather soles - worth it for my Barkers, but not these.... I'm gonig to see locally, if I can get it done for £40 or so, it might be worth it. Maybe rubber soles, for the wet.

I went searching for Paddy's amazing Grenson "Mike Sullivans" and found another picture of the Rag and Bone x Grensons he posted. They're pretty similar to the "M.S.'s", more eyelets, canvas sides, I know, but where Paddy's boots look totally authentic, these seem sorta phoney i.m.h.o. Opinions anybody?[huh] :

Probably look better in the 'real world' than in studio shots. I like them.... put me in mind of a dressy version of the Vietnam era jungle boots that were popular army surplus back in the 80s when I bought as much of my wardrobe as possible from one in Belfast.

It strikes me that with its handsome saddle reinforcement, and the semi-fancy toe cap, the World War Two U.S. Army Type II Service Shoe has a certain amount of "dress boot" style to it:

Anybody wearing a pair polished up with a suit?

-Dave

Haven't yet, but I plan to. Some of the jump boots would be grand too, though to my eye these shorter, ankle-boots have a somewhat dressier edge to them than otherwise identical boots cut to reach the calf. [huh]

I think that the open lacing would preclude its inclusion in the dress category.

Traditionally yes, though I've seen so many modern shoes where that distinction doesn't seem to count any more in the design. I've got a pair of Sanders plain black leather shoes that are open laced and definitely not casual. That said, I imagine some thing more casual would be fine as a match for a ounge suit with a 30s / 40s vibe, as back in the day a suit was considered much less formal than it is now.

If only the Bayfields didn't have the rubber sole. They are sharp though. And, for the uses you laid out, they'd be great. I'd love to see a pair that someone took to their cobbler to have leather soles sewn on.

A rubber sole can be very welcome in the wet - and not only in the country. I remember one day in particular, last June, on my way to a wedding in a nice pair of leather-soled co-respondents - I might as well have been walking on oiled glass. Certainly wished I'd had a bit of rubber underfoot for grip that day! Actually, whenever I have a pair of leather-soled shoes that needs its first re-heeling, I always have a rubber overlay added to the front sole too. Keeps the damp out in wet Winter weather.

 

[PADDY]

Edward - just wore the M&S boots in the Netherlands (photos in my Post Amsterdam piece on TFL). I had a rubber sole tacked on by cobbler when first bought them

 

[Bruce Wayne]

For over 100 years, until the Union-Pacific station closed in 1973, North Platte, Nebraska was the gateway for countless Americans traveling from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. Inspired by the gentleman ranchers, cattle barons and visionary businessmen who traveled through town to open the West, this wing-tip boot combines the urban style and country muscle needed to work in both the field and the office. Crafted with dark brown cowhide reminiscent of the fertile soil of the high plains, this boot has a distinct look that perfectly highlights a pair of jeans or khakis. The North Platte, strengthen with a Toby lug rubber sole and 360-degree welt, is the ideal footwear for the cool weather of the holiday season, which is fitting considering it is only on-sale during November and December.

 

[Ed88]

Great boots. I'm a fan of the classic Chelsea boot.

Ed

 

[AlanC]

Pardon this self congratulatory post, but last year I won an Alden boot design contest run by Leather Soul Hawaii. The store did a special order run of them (now, alas, sold out). My idea was an American version of an English country boot. I'm quite proud of them.

You can see them here.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Pardon this self congratulatory post, but last year I won an Alden boot design contest run by Leather Soul Hawaii. The store did a special order run of them (now, alas, sold out). My idea was an American version of an English country boot. I'm quite proud of them.

Those are the best-looking 'gunboats' I've ever seen, bar none! To my eye, gunboats cry out to be boots.

 

[Ed88]

A stunning salute to craftsmanship. Love the detailing.

 

[AlanC]

^Thank you, gentlemen. That's mighty high praise coming from you, Marc! (although I do like gunboat shoes as well as boots)

 

[AlanC]

These arrived yesterday from the good folks at Leather Soul. I special ordered them in my impossible-to-get-otherwise narrow size about 18 mos ago.

Alden boots in cigar shell cordovan

 

[cookie]

Pardon this self congratulatory post, but last year I won an Alden boot design contest run by Leather Soul Hawaii. The store did a special order run of them (now, alas, sold out). My idea was an American version of an English country boot. I'm quite proud of them.

You can see them here.

Glad I voted for you You nailed it. What is you shoe size Alan?

 

[AlanC]

^Thanks, cookie! Those are Barrie lasted and are size 9C. The Plaza lasted cigar shell boots just posted are 9.5B. The Nettleton longwings from the other thread are 9.5B.

 

[esteban68]

Got these Loake's Bedales as part of a deal at my local cobblers, I've only worn them inside so far but I intend them for weekends away at spa towns, I reckon they'll go great with a tweed suit and the soles will be ideal also;

They are seconds thoughI can't find a fault, my cobbler assures me the seconds are always a finish fault but to be honest once worn a couple of times I could guarantee to mark them myself!

 

[sproily]

I'm off to Bilbao for Christmas. Here's to hoping there are some dress boots at the Carmina shop

 

[cookie]

I'm off to Bilbao for Christmas. Here's to hoping there are some dress boots at the Carmina shop

You are in luck as they have shop in Bilbao AFAIK. You should take them pair of your 1930s ones and get a quote for MTM.

 

[jemcgarvey]

Got these Loake's Bedales as part of a deal at my local cobblers, I've only worn them inside so far but I intend them for weekends away at spa towns, I reckon they'll go great with a tweed suit and the soles will be ideal also;

They are seconds thoughI can't find a fault, my cobbler assures me the seconds are always a finish fault but to be honest once worn a couple of times I could guarantee to mark them myself!

I would snag these up in a heartbeat if they were more shoelike, without the clumpy, rubber soles...

 

[fluteplayer07]

My latest acquisition, a pair of Alden Greenwich II boots in Burnished Tan, designed for Leffot of NYC.

The soles are treated with oil for water-repellency, and yes, those are waxed flat laces.

 

[esteban68]

I would snag these up in a heartbeat if they were more shoelike, without the clumpy, rubber soles...

I have a similar-ish boot by M&S that are a thinner sole...the Loakes have a leather sole and heel (you can see the colour difference) but they also have an rubber overheel and sole too, they don't look clumpy on, I agree they may not entirely conform to the classic ideal but at £100 I couldn't resist...I also value my life on slippy, cobbled surfaces you often find in British towns!
If the mainstream makers still made boots like these for the general populace I doubt very much they'd still be sticking to all leather soles/heels, just think of the lawsuits!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Allen Edmonds has discontinued the Bayfield boot just as I was about to get a pair in black.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Allen Edmonds has discontinued the Bayfield boot just as I was about to get a pair in black.

Some oddly-sized deadstock ones might now show up on eBay.