Sunday, June 24, 2012

in search of a multifunctional casual shoe

My wardrobe varies considerably from day to day, but it's almost always towards the casual side. I never wear a suit and rarely wear a sport coat. I usually wear slacks and a dress shirt. I sometimes wear chinos. I'll occasionally wear denim. So I'm always on the lookout for versatile casual shoes. Here are a few examples I've been thinking of recently.  

Allen Edmonds Stewart

Simple. Masculine. I think this is an excellent choice for chinos and denim.  







Allen Edmonds Finch 

Classic and fun.





 Alden Indy Boot 

This would fill a big gap in my collection. I could really use a boot, and this is a classic, gorgeous example.  





Allen Edmonds McTavish

 I like this shoe a lot. I like the black, but am not sure of the versatility. I prefer brown for casual shoes, but the natural wax is a bit light for my taste.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Alden Tassel Moccasins

I got these on ebay for a steal. There were only a few pictures, and it was clear that they needed a new shine, but I was stunned at how nice they were. The upper is in fantastic condition, and a little Kiwi polish really made them sparkle. The soles are in worn condition, but are in good shape and have wear left. I don't wear slip-ons. Never have and I don't think I ever will. I bought these with the idea of resale. These retail for $452 new at ShoeMart, so I think I have the potential to make a few bucks (and help finance more shoes).
 

Friday, June 22, 2012

vintage Florsheim Imperial longwings

I bought these on ebay a few weeks ago. The pictures on the listing weren't great, and it was hard to get a sense of wear. The price was good, though, and I thought a little elbow grease might turn these into a fun shoe for mocha-colored slacks and even denim. I was pleasantly surprised when these arrived. They're in great shape. A little polish and sole edge dressing really made these things look nice. The v-cleat soles are indestructible, of course, and have decades of life left. The shoes are just a tad narrow for me, though, so I'm going to try to flip them. If I can't sell for profit, then I'll stretch and keep in my collection.