[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

I wear the green ones every damn day.

They don't look like it. I suspect your shoes last you forever.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by black335i

johnson and murphy wingtips for work and older pair or kobes for daily wear

It must be nice not to have to work every day.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Why aren't you guys getting your shoes resoled? It's like $30 and you don't have to worry about breaking in another pair! I've probably resoled my TBNYs 3 times since I bought them. If you're buying a new pair of shoes each time you wear through the sole you are wasting a ton of money!

Couldn't agree more. I suspect though that folks aren't resoling shoes because they bought shoes that have soles made of something other than leather. It's hard to find a cobbler who will resole such shoes. So, if one buys such shoes, and intends to keep them for a long time, they need to be something one wears occasionally, not regularly.

Companies that make shoes know this is the case. I suspect it's deliberate as the consumer basically has two choices:

• buy more shoes
• buy fewer shoes, but buy them more often

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Billup

...Then I tried a pair from Aldo. Granted I love some of the styles they have, the amount of foot support is ridiculously low for $100+ pair of shoes.

...

I have yet to find a pair of formal shoes that feel great and fit me well. It seems they either lack sole support, or my foot seems to be not wide enough to fill width wise and causes some irritation on the lower sides of my feet.

I can't say I am familiar with Aldo shoes, but the support issue you noted might be solved with third party insoles. Just be sure to take the insoles with you when you are buying shoes so you'll know how the shoe fits with them inside. Another option is to have a cobbler permanently affix some additional arch support into the shoe, or you can install those adhesive arch things into the shoe yourself. The same thing can be done if you need forward support, but it's trickier to get it right without screwing up the fit.

As far as the formal shoes go, I'm surprised you're having difficulty. Most companies that make formal shoes make them in a variety of widths. Have you checked out Nordstrom's, Brooks Brothers, John Lobb, Allen Edmond's, Ferragamo, Bruno Magli, Bally, or any number of other brands whose "thing" is making shoes?

I know those patent leather formal shoes can be quite pricey, especially if they are well made and made of high quality leather. If the idea of spending a tidy on shoes you only feel comfortable wearing with white and black tie attire doesn't sit well with you, I recommend you seek out a pair of plain toe oxfords made of the the highest quality leather your budget will allow. (see my comment re: John Lobb above)

I prefer formal shoes such as the ones in the first pic below (the laced variety is fine too, I just don't prefer them). I like the version that has the grosgrain bow, but you can find similar pumps, often in velvet, without the bow. Just be aware that you'll only want to wear velvet ones to formal events held in folks' homes, ideally your own home or one in which you are staying when the event occurs. The second pic below is an example of a plain toe oxford you can polish up a pair of plain oxfords and wear them instead. The latter shoe is also a very good shoe to wear with business and some business casual attire, although loafers are better with the latter.

A man's forma pump (these are Peal's):


Man's plain toe oxford (If one wants to use these shoes for formal and non-formal occasions, they should have no seams on the uppers. These are A. Testoni.)

Good luck and all the best.

[Nutballa]

Onitsuka Tigers with a pair in black and one in white. Or Flip Flops because I live in Texas!

[FVM3]

crocs

[KingOfJericho]

You wear these?

Originally Posted by tony20009

A man's forma pump (these are Peal's):

[Billup]

Originally Posted by tony20009

I can't say I am familiar with Aldo shoes, but the support issue you noted might be solved with third party insoles. Just be sure to take the insoles with you when you are buying shoes so you'll know how the shoe fits with them inside. Another option is to have a cobbler permanently affix some additional arch support into the shoe, or you can install those adhesive arch things into the shoe yourself. The same thing can be done if you need forward support, but it's trickier to get it right without screwing up the fit.

As far as the formal shoes go, I'm surprised you're having difficulty. Most companies that make formal shoes make them in a variety of widths. Have you checked out Nordstrom's, Brooks Brothers, John Lobb, Allen Edmond's, Ferragamo, Bruno Magli, Bally, or any number of other brands whose "thing" is making shoes?

I know those patent leather formal shoes can be quite pricey, especially if they are well made and made of high quality leather. If the idea of spending a tidy on shoes you only feel comfortable wearing with white and black tie attire doesn't sit well with you, I recommend you seek out a pair of plain toe oxfords made of the the highest quality leather your budget will allow. (see my comment re: John Lobb above)

I prefer formal shoes such as the ones in the first pic below (the laced variety is fine too, I just don't prefer them). I like the version that has the grosgrain bow, but you can find similar pumps, often in velvet, without the bow. Just be aware that you'll only want to wear velvet ones to formal events held in folks' homes, ideally your own home or one in which you are staying when the event occurs. The second pic below is an example of a plain toe oxford you can polish up a pair of plain oxfords and wear them instead. The latter shoe is also a very good shoe to wear with business and some business casual attire, although loafers are better with the latter.

A man's forma pump (these are Peal's):


Man's plain toe oxford (If one wants to use these shoes for formal and non-formal occasions, they should have no seams on the uppers. These are A. Testoni.)

Good luck and all the best.

Like stated above, Aldo is basically the "toy" version of real shoes. They have the style down pat, but the build of them is..., less than exceptional. I have been to Brooks & Magli and some others of the sort, and I have been pleased with the amount of arch support, but it seems as the years go on, I need more and more support on my arch (like it tends to be more sensitive to pressure, especially when running or playing hockey). I actually ended up having my work boots form fitted from a local shoe store in Warren, MI that feel like I am walking on a cloud, but I had to pay to play. On the daily, I enjoy wearing nice shoes, but even with support, I think it was Dr. Scholls custom fit orthotic insert, something just didn't feel right.

I did however have a pair of Cole Haan's about 4 years back that felt great all around, but I can't remember the name of the style for the life of me. They kind of remind me of Air Aidens, but they are more narrow.

Thanks for all the good information everyone!

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You wear these?

[Litos]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

I wear the green ones every damn day.

those red Shox make my dick super hard, but i have written off Shox ever since i started wearing Air Max...

the count stopped at 22 pairs of Shox since 2000...

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by tony20009

A man's forma pump (these are Peal's):

]

Those pumps aren't very manly. Something like this would be a better example for you guys. They are from Ferragamo. You wear them with a tuxedo.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You wear these?

At white and black tie events, I absolutely wear them. If I am wearing my blue/black tuxedo, I'll even wear a pair of matching navy blue opera pumps. Of course, I hardly expect that most men would bother to have a midnight blue tuxedo and matching shoes made for themselves for the cost is prohibitive and the need is nonexistent. That said, one can't really be said to have one's own style if that style but parrots what everyone else does.

The opera pump is the most formal and traditional choice for a man dressing formally. I recognize that the hoi-polloi may construe them as "dainty," but I find what that segment of society thinks of me about as useless as tits on a bull. For less confident gents, dudes whose closet holds more than clothing and who thus need their shoes to help convey their masculinity or to help them refute suspicion that they may not be masculine enough, the one shown below perhaps is a better choice. IMO, though a laced, patent leather oxford or derby is acceptable, it's the choice of those in the pocket protector set, and what are folks doing at a formal event that I'm also attending? Better yet, why am I there? I should have sent kind regrets to the host who invited me. I have a pair of them too, but I only once made the mistake of buying them and wearing them once.


You may find this helpful: http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...c_Footwear.htm

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You wear these?

Holy shit!!!....................

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

Those pumps aren't very manly.
...

Were I to see a dude strolling down the street wearing them with something other than white or black tie, I'd agree with you. I know that there are women's day shoes that resemble a man's opera pump, but then no woman would wear them with a formal gown, day or night. There are even women's patent flats that resemble them, but then the occasions during which a lady might wear them are the occasions when a gentleman wouldn't wear the pumps I pictured either, he'd wear velvet pumps (plain or sporting his own monogram/crest) or suede pumps rather than patent leather ones.

The shoes you offered as an alternative to the traditional opera pump are a modern interpretation of the same. They're okay, but lack the flair of the more traditional variant. If one is going to dress in the most dashing manner possible, why temper the look with dull shoes? Formal dress is the sole occasion when it's entirely appropriate, indeed expected, for a gentleman to exhibit a little bling and be cavalier. Revel in the moment when one safely can unabashedly and immodestly flaunt one's self confidence and social dominance by wearing diamond studs and jewelry, by wearing a dark but colored dinner jacket*, and by donning traditional opera pumps.

*Note: If one is going to opt for a colored dinner jacket, either midnight blue or a purpley black are fine choices, other colors less so outside of one's own home or that of a close relative, but black or grey, as appropriate to the time of day, is best for cutaway coats, again, unless one is at one's own home. Why the distinction between public and private venues? Because at one's home, one can do whatever one wants, and the homes of one's immediate family afford one the same sartorial liberties.

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Were I to see a dude strolling down the street wearing them with something other than white or black tie, I'd agree with you. I know that there are women's day shoes that resemble a man's opera pump, but then no woman would wear them with a formal gown, day or night. There are even women's patent flats that resemble them, but then the occasions during which a lady might wear them are the occasions when a gentleman wouldn't wear the pumps I pictured either, he'd wear velvet pumps (plain or sporting his own monogram/crest) or suede pumps rather than patent leather ones.

The shoes you offered as an alternative to the traditional opera pump are a modern interpretation of the same. They're okay, but lack the flair of the more traditional variant. If one is going to dress in the most dashing manner possible, why temper the look with dull shoes? Formal dress is the sole occasion when it's entirely appropriate, indeed expected, for a gentleman to exhibit a little bling and be cavalier. Revel in the moment when one safely can unabashedly and immodestly flaunt one's self confidence and social dominance by wearing diamond studs and jewelry, by wearing a dark but colored dinner jacket*, and by donning traditional opera pumps.

*Note: If one is going to opt for a colored dinner jacket, either midnight blue or a purpley black are fine choices, other colors less so outside of one's own home or that of a close relative, but black or grey, as appropriate to the time of day, is best for cutaway coats, again, unless one is at one's own home. Why the distinction between public and private venues? Because at one's home, one can do whatever one wants, and the homes of one's immediate family afford one the same sartorial liberties.

I know how to dress very well sir but those pumps are best left to the more delicate of gentlemen.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

I know how to dress very well sir but those pumps are best left to the more delicate of gentlemen.

I'll take your word for it, but that comment alone begs the question of the statement's veracity. Although I don't really care one way or the other.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

I know how to dress very well sir but those pumps are best left to the more delicate of gentlemen.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by Litos

those red Shox make my dick super hard, but i have written off Shox ever since i started wearing Air Max...

the count stopped at 22 pairs of Shox since 2000...

I didn't know they made Shox back then. The only downside to Air Max is that they're bulky.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by tony20009

They don't look like it. I suspect your shoes last you forever.

I've had them for 11.5 months now. They're still in pretty good shape.

http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/KongShengHan/media/13119898-8245-49B0-9AE6-D0CFEAF38443-1572-0000015225808421_zps07dddec7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07dddec7.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[j_marinelli]

Work:


Weekend:


or a black pair of pumas.

those 3 pairs make up 90% of what I wear on my feet.

[KingOfJericho]

What do you do for work?

[Kong Sheng Han]

Don't know why I can't upload the pics from photobucket...