Shoes

[DCIHunt]

I am new to the Lounge, but have been accused of being too formal, old fashioned and 'old school' none of which is accurate; I have just always been 'In the Lounge'. This is just the best place I have discovered on the Interweb.

Now for my post. I am looking for a good, solid shoe for around $200 that a cobbler can repair when needed. I know this is a tall order, but I just do not like disposable anything. I am not vintage, I just like to dress for the occasion. I am a Detective-Sergeant in the police service in Ohio and I wear a suit everyday. Sorry, off track again....

Affordable shoes that can be cobbled when I wear them out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[avedwards]

Welcome here firstly.

I personally would recommend a good sturdy pair of Oxfords as they have the formality to go with a suit but can be worn with jeans too (at least I do, regardless of how incorrect it may sound). Good quality ones will last as well providing you do not end up with the leather scraped off the toe like I did. I cannot tell you where to get them though as I could only name you shops in the UK.

Btw, do you wear hats as well or is that too inappropriate for you in your work?

 

[DCIHunt]

Thanks for the reply. I have a good pair of shoes that are on the last leg and want to replace them with a quality pair that can be repaired. The current pair have a molded sole that is completely destroyed and totally disposable.

I do, on occasion wear a hat to work. I wear specs, so it's more out of necessity when it rains but the hat is a true gentlemen's article, and I make every effort to be a gentleman.

Cheers.

 

[avedwards]

The opinion of the experts here seems to be that a leather sole is best. However if you are prepared to replace the sole once a year or so I personally would say rubber will do.

By hat, I take it you mean fedora or other sort of felt hat?

 

[Tomasso]

a good, solid shoe for around $200

Allen Edmonds on sale/eBay. For a bit more, the Peal & Co line at Brooks Brothers (semi-annual clearance sale) are a great deal. No shoes with a sub $300 MSRP are worth buying, IMO.

 

[Geesie]

The opinion of the experts here seems to be that a leather sole is best. However if you are prepared to replace the sole once a year or so I personally would say rubber will do.

By hat, I take it you mean fedora or other sort of felt hat?

I don't think leather soles would be the best choice for a Detective Sergeant. Crepe/rubber soles would be better in my opinion.

 

[DCIHunt]

I don't think leather soles would be the best choice for a Detective Sergeant. Crepe/rubber soles would be better in my opinion.

Purely for dress occasions. I will compromise on the work wear and go rubber, but to and from the office, court, task force meeting and such, I would like a quality pair of shoes. I think the cobbler down the block has a sturdy sole for everyday wear, even for my profession, but they can only be put on a good upper. I don't want to compromise and get shoes in a six pack. Even my military boots could be re-soled and I had the same pair for eleven years of service; I retired them to be my good 'Going for a promotion board' boots.

I am just tired of getting a pair of shoes shined up and broke in to have to toss them in the bin.

Can't say it enough... thanks for the info.