A reader question:
Dear Editor,
Does anyone have recommendations for lace up shoes for a business casual workplace? I am ordering some chukka boots from Jadd shoes, but am looking for blucher or derby recommendations. Alden would be great, but are outside of my budget.
Thank you,
Companies:
- Jadd <https://jadd.shoes/>
- Alden <https://www.aldenshoe.com/>
I have a couple pair of saddle shoes that fit the bill. the brand escapes me.
ReplyDeleteI really like Jadd shoes - I have a nice collection of their desert boots. For Blake soles, well priced, and all around decent shoes, I like Velasca (an Italian shoemaker) and right now they have 20% off. Carmina and TLB Mallorca (two Spanish brands, made in Mallorca) are also nice brands with Goodyear welt construction with ready to wear and MTO options. Septieme Largeur is a French brand and also reasonably priced and well made. I hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteIf your price sensitive Cole Hann has numerous casual oxfords throughout the year. They look great with khakis and business casual.
ReplyDeleteTry the Pasadena or Franklins from G.H. Bass.
ReplyDeleteConsider brown suede brogues or half brogues. Alden as well as many of the English brands (e.g., Crockett & Jones, Tricker’s) usually carry them. I’m sure there are less expensive brands out there too.
ReplyDeleteThe Alden plain toe blucher in Chromexcel is $606. Watch Shoemart for a pair to pop up in your size under their Factory Seconds. They'll be about $200 cheaper, whatever made them seconds will probably not be discernible, they'll just get better and better, and they ought to last thirty years or more.
ReplyDeleteAdding to this…I’m not sure how they operate now, but The Shoe Mart used to have an emailed list of available factory seconds. Getting your email on the list is free. It’s a good way to get Alden shoes at a discount.
DeleteFlorsheim, Johnston & Murphy, may have tie shoes that work for you. Many of their models now have rubber soles, worth paying attention to that if you don’t want that. Allen Edmonds shoes may work too, though those are creeping toward the Alden price range. Finally, Limmer Boots sells The Walker and The Oxford, both sturdy tie shoes that should work for business casual; I wear the Oxfords in my downtown DC office. They’re about $375. They’ll last forever if you take care of them.
Allen Edmonds. Mostly still American Made (whatever that means today re: "globally-sourced components") and can often be found around the $200-300 mark (or less if you're open to factory seconds).
ReplyDeleteLoake, made in Northampton but with its own stores, offers great value.
ReplyDeleteCamper. Born. If you want a hefty oxford with a polished finish, check eBay for Bates Lites service oxfords in black or brown.
ReplyDeleteCheck Ralph Lauren
ReplyDeleteA very important question. You don't buy shoes, you invest on them. It's worth expending money in a pair of excellent classic Alden or Crockett and Jones more than in other pieces of your wardrobe. With care they will last for ages. Buy less and buy best.
ReplyDeleteRalph Lauren!
ReplyDeleteWould recommend checking out Meermin (https://meermin.com/) if you want pretty good quality at lower prices. Meermin, like Carmina mentioned above, uses leather and construction techniques that are nearly as good as Alden, but the lasts are not quite as comfortable.
ReplyDeleteAlden or Crockett @ Jones - yes, both are an investment, but with proper care- they last a lifetime
ReplyDeleteEastland!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think the Alden All Weather Walker is the gold standard for cool weather business casual, just as the Alden Leisure Handsewn is the gold standard for warm weather business casual. If they are cared for, they may stick around for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteBut if you are not making that investment now, you might look at the Allen Edmond Drake Derby and the Allen Edmond Newman Penny Loafer. Good luck!
Allen Edmonds especially if you have a narrow foot
ReplyDeleteI have two pairs or Johnson and Murphy saddle shoes, same colored, one in in black and another in brown with rubber soles, which fit the bill very nicely. I believe these are no longer available but some similar shoes may be available from Alden. I do like the saddle design but not in the two color variety; casual but dressy.
ReplyDeleteIf you are happy to oder from the UK, Samuel Windsor offer great value for money - I have several pairs of different styles. See https://www.samuel-windsor.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteYou can get some great buys through the Allen Edmonds website. Sign up
ReplyDeletefor their email updates. If you know your size in each manufacturer you can
get great deals on EBay.
Suede Bucks.
ReplyDeleteThis right here
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