[Closed] smart shoes that aren't too smart

I know this brand has some stigma attached, but I've had a soft spot for them since I dated a Dutch girl in my teens.. quality
Not cheap mind..

[url= http://www.birkenstock.co.uk/index.php?m=catalogue&a=vw_prod&wprid=881 ]birkys[/url]

[img] [/img]

I was thinking something that would still look good after getting scuffed and worn a bit.

How old are you? Clean your shoes and welcome to the world of the grown up!

Very comfy, but not as well made as they used to be:
[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.uttings.co.uk/Product/481/112984/kanyon-outdoor-hazel-ankle-boot-nubuck-hazel/ ]From here[/url]

[img] [/img]

Brogues with a commando or leather sole(put a thin rubber sole on the leather)
Grenson,tricker's, cheaney, Paul smith etc. some of the special edition ones for oi-polloi, tres bien and other interweb stores are a bit different as are mark mcnairy' s interpretation of the traditional brogue.

fill your fashion, err, boots

[img] [/img]

that ragged heeled jeans with worn pointy brown shoes/beer gut under pink shirt/jacket from Next look Is hardly stylish, they look like their mum/wives dress them from the littlewoods catalogue

oh 🙁

I think it's ok in the north though? 😕

http://bootsjeansandleathers.com/caterpillar-boots-vinson-mens-leather-boots-peanut-brown

I thought about chelsea boots, although I've got massive feet so maybe they wouldn't suit

I've got size 14 feet and have a pair of [url= http://www.walktall.co.uk/big-size-footwear/dr-martens-chelsea-boot-gaucho-crazy-horse ]Dr Marten Chelsea Boots[/url] which I don't think look too much like comedy barges (my wife doesn't make me change them when we go out so they can't be too bad!). They are starting to look a little lived in now that they are entering their second winter, but still look great and the air sole is nice and comfy.

What the hell is that lot above? Come on STW, even by your standards that is poor.

Brogues are your first option here, fine with jeans or even smarter trousers if you wish. A polished black Chelsea boot could also go with jeans though it won't work if you don't polish them. Dessert boots could work as a more inform option but really we're over complicating the process. Just buy a pair of brogues and you'll be fine.

I've recently got a pair of Meindle Desert Fox boots, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Army-Surplus-Meindl-Desert-Fox-Combat-Boots-/261110345401?pt=UK_Men_s_Shoes&var=&hash=item3ccb63aeb9
They look great with jeans, they're very light, and incredibly comfortable. I love mine to bits.

They are sandy coloured walking boots?!?
With jeans you probably look like you are going on a YHA holiday or going to chop down a tree?
I guess people interpret the word 'smart' differently

Just buy a pair of brogues and you'll be fine.

if your definition of fine is 'perceived as a smarmy bewildering affront to human dignity' then lunge is bang on the money..

HTH

[url= http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/mens/shoes/mens-brown-dewey-shoes.html ]the most comfortable shoes in the world, trust me[/url] once you buy these you'll never look back

went through the exact same dilemma recently. Didn't want smart shoes, didn't want to look like Jeremy Clarkson when I wore them with jeans and wanted something that would age nicely as I fully intended to neglect whatever I chose. Ended up going for these from Schuh and they're great, I've hardy worn anything else since buying them. They had a kind of lived in look when I got them and they've got better since.

http://www.schuh.co.uk/tan-red-or-dead-mr-briggs-boot-ii/3204546220/

Chelsea boots, splash out on a good quality pair. They will out live you and all fasion trends.

Chelsea boots, splash out on a good quality pair.

You're not wrong. I get about 3 years out of mine before they die. New soles and heels every 12 months or so.

Boots from Red or Dead are doing the job for me. Boots from Fat Face are also worth looking at.

On the subject of chelsea boots can recommend any with rubber soles?

Found plenty from loakes etc with a leather sole but want some with a rubber sole for winter but properly made. Have looked at RM Williams but prices little hard to stomach - are they well made enough to justify price?

Have a look at Camper. Quite poss you'll find non-trainer laid back leather shoes. I'm still wearing a pair of Pelotas that are 10 years old. Love them.

Just take the leather soled ones to a cobbler to put a rubber strip on. TBH leather in winter is fine so long as they have a decent welt and you don't pile through puddles.

Dessert boots could work as a more inform option but really we're over complicating the process

Do they come with custard as an option?

I put a thin rubber sole on all my Goodyear welted shoes, it says 'Indian rubber' on them £11 at the local cobblers. Leather soles are well sketchy in the wet. Don't forget the shoe trees either, john Lewis do the cedar ones for a decent price, do not use plastic ones.

Do they come with custard as an option?

I had a pair of those. They were a trifle uncomfortable.

I have just bought some of these for just over 50% of RRP

[img] [/img]

http://www.soletraderoutlet.co.uk/Caterpillar-Interchange-Shoes/pid-INTERCBK

Chunky and hardwearing and not stupid pointy things that will last two months (i.e. my lad's school shoes)

I had a pair of those. They were a trifle uncomfortable.

I think you were pudding them on the wrong feet.

I have just bought some of these for just over 50% of RRP

I'd be gutted to pay for shoes that ugly. They look like site issued protective wear. Was there a free high viz vest with them?

I've recently got a pair of Meindle Desert Fox boots
They look great with jeans...........

......and a truckers cap, mirrored aviators, lumber shirt......... and a garrotte?

[url= http://www.timberlandbootcompany.com/carries.php?lang=en ]Timberland Boot Company[/url] as distinct from just 'Timberland' (its a range distinct from their usual stuff and isn't usually stocked in their high st shops) make some nice robust shoes and boots that fall nicely in the middle ground between "formal" and "mature lesbian" although they've had better stuff in previous years than they've got a the moment

Lunge is spot on. Brogues. Get them in brown, they will be expensive but will last.

[img] [/img]

I have just bought some of these for just over 50% of RRP

i guess if you are a security guard or traffic warden they will do for work?

Timberland Boot Company as distinct from just 'Timberland' (its a range distinct from their usual stuff and isn't usually stocked in their high st shops) make some nice robust shoes and boots that fall nicely in the middle ground between "formal" and "mature lesbian" although they've had better stuff in previous years than they've got a the moment

[url= http://www.clarks.co.uk/c/originals-mens#pagesize-is-all-and-page-is-1 ]Clarks Originals[/url]

take your pick

Take advice from steve mcqueen. I love my M-43 boots.

http://stevemcqueenstyle.blogspot.com/2010/04/walk-mile-in-his-boots.html

Desert Fox boots are what Brit troops in Afghanistan are issued with, and they're fantastic boots, about the most comfortable I've ever had.

Which is a good enough reason to avoid them for casual wear. Unless you are trying to go for the 'at-home security contractor' look that is. People who wear current issue military clothing are either currently in the military, or the sort of people who want to be but wouldn't be allowed (through the medium of a psych evaluation or a letter from their mum). Those who are issued it tend not to wear it as casual wear.

[i]I have just bought some of these for just over 50% of RRP[/i]

You are joking?

I bought a pair of dm's

who wears brogues for smart shoes with jeans ....whats that all about. Even my grandad doesnt do that....my brogues are for work only ... or my kilt brogues for smart kilt occasions only .

Ive got some brown pointy boots i wear when i want to not wear trainers/hiking boots with jeans

most of the time though i end up wearing rigger boots (which id sooner wear out to the pub than those CAT "shoes" above - they remind me of built up shoes that kids get sometimes.

kilt brogues for smart kilt occasions

Who wears that comedy mock-historical Victorian fancy dress costume - whats that all about?

ah so brogues with jeans is an english thing ? - i assume thats why you were insulting what scotsmen choose to wear 😉 Tis better than a suit anyway.

ah so brogues with jeans is an [s]english[/s] tim nice but dim thing

FTFY

who wears brogues for smart shoes with jeans

I appreciate it would be a bit odd if everyone wore them, but thankfully white trainers and bland security/police issue footwear is there to make good footwear stand out.
IME / IMO

ah so brogues with jeans is an english tim nice but dim thing

On the subject of chelsea boots can recommend any with rubber soles?

Found plenty from loakes etc with a leather sole but want some with a rubber sole for winter but properly made. Have looked at RM Williams but prices little hard to stomach - are they well made enough to justify price?

Currently have five pairs (think I almost tie with wife for footwear count!) - main tip for longevity is not to wear the same pair more than two days in a row; secondary one is to clean them with the cream.

They are expensive, so I either get them in sales or ask a mate visiting Oz to bring a pair back.

I'm a Red Wing fan, also do rubber soled Chelsea's

i assume thats why you were insulting what scotsmen choose to wear

I've met more Surrey Highlanders in that faux-historic garb than anyone else, so mostly insulting people with tenuous Scottish connections rather than Scotsmen per se.

who wears brogues for smart shoes with jeans

People who work in a creative industry and don't want to look like they work in a bank, I.T. or security.
People who dislike trainers and think they look like a scruffy/lazy option (along with any clothing item with 'superdry' in orange letters across the shoulder)
People who appreciate proper Goodyear welted shoes and are happy to invest the money in them as they last longer and look better when worn in.

I appreciate it would be a bit odd if everyone wore them, but thankfully white trainers and bland security/police issue footwear is there to make good footwear stand out.
IME / IMO

THIS. We go round Soho in our Grenson brogues. You peasants from outside the city got no style.

THIS. We go round Soho in our Grenson brogues. You peasants from outside the city got no style

Black shoes and jeans? No no no.

Me and MrSmith know where its at. No super dry in my wardrobe. Lol at wearing Desert issue boots...you would look like the biggest walt in the world.

[img] [/img]

Went for these

Now worried I am going to look like Hammond 😯

You peasants from outside the city got no style.

see..? tim nice but dims blithely following the status quo..

creative industry.. 😯

pffffffffftttt.. no imagination, smart shoes that aren't too clever maybe..

(is it clear yet that this is a pet hate of mine..? )

Creative industry -check
Brogues - check

These in fact

[url] http://www.grenson.co.uk/en_gb/shop/fred-v-670 [/url]

These look nice too

[url] http://www.grenson.co.uk/en_gb/shop/spike-5614 [/url]

MM

I am getting slightly tempted to look into getting a pair as a result of this thread.. 😳

Grenson are a shadow of their former selves since the manufacturing went to India. But they are deffo more "on trend" with the kidz than Cheaney or Tricker's..

I work for a technology company (well known ISP). Jeans and decent shoes are senior management de rigeur.

Skinny/slim fit jeans look alrite with posh shoes, avoid the Clarkson fit jeans though.

I like Geoxx . very comfy and well made .

Fully aware of the Indian made grensons (Oliver Sweeney make half their range there too) but they are better made than the john whites which are also a Northampton brand, Trickers are a cut above.

Now worried I am going to look like Hammond

Get a nice pair of Red Wings? Or something by Grenson, I just picked up a nice pair of Fred Vs and they look fabulous with a pair of smart jeans darling, and are as comfortable as a pair of trainers. If you're proper posh have a look at Trickers or Aldens.

While chuckling at grown ups who struggle to clothe themselves, it occurred to me that a related issue might shed some light on footwear choice for the hard of thinking.

Try looking here:

http://lookatmy****ingredtrousers.blogspot.co.uk/

Red Wing moc toe, or how about the middle ground with a pair of Vans from the Vault range, a Sierra Hi maybe.

[img] [/img]

Where is that chap off here who was selling £400 custom shoes & boots.... ?

Matalan, have some boots very much like the Steve McQqueen boots for peanuts, very comfy they are too..... Oh and I wear mine with Chino's for the correct look.

Bought some lovely Loake chelsea boots in the last few months, but am really struggling getting them broken in, shame as I had wanted them for years & £180 was a big investment.
[img] [/img]