[Troones]

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to fill gaps in my wardrobe lately and one identified gap was in casual footwear. I'm covered for dress shoes, but I want to expand my casual shoe wardrobe beyond chukka boots. So I've just purchased these from AE:

Do any of you own these Porter Suede Sneakers? If so, what do you wear them with? I'm curious as to whether I could go so far as to pair them with a very casual knit blazer I purchased recently. With the disclaimer that I'm no fan of the silly trend of wearing sneakers with suits, I figured these may be high enough on the casual side to go well with ultra casual sport coats and blazers. Any thoughts?

This is going to be it for me for awhile. I've gone a bit (lot) over budget on clothing this year.

However, presentation is very important.

 

[Flanderian]

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to fill gaps in my wardrobe lately and one identified gap was in casual footwear. I'm covered for dress shoes, but I want to expand my casual shoe wardrobe beyond chukka boots. So I've just purchased these from AE:

Do any of you own these Porter Suede Sneakers? If so, what do you wear them with? I'm curious as to whether I could go so far as to pair them with a very casual knit blazer I purchased recently. With the disclaimer that I'm no fan of the silly trend of wearing sneakers with suits, I figured these may be high enough on the casual side to go well with ultra casual sport coats and blazers. Any thoughts?

This is going to be it for me for awhile. I've gone a bit (lot) over budget on clothing this year.

However, presentation is very important.

Sorry don't own them, but . . . .

Thoughts -

Whether some version of a suede sneaker might be OK with a "very casual knit blazer" would, IMO, depend upon how "very casual" it is, and the looks of the particular suede sneaker. Some might be OK, some I wouldn't care for. But I'm afraid these particular suede sneakers with any blazer I can bring to mind would be just a little too casual.

But I might be wrong.

 

[Troones]

Sorry don't own them, but . . . .

Thoughts -

Whether some version of a suede sneaker might be OK with a "very casual knit blazer" would, IMO, depend upon how "very casual" it is, and the looks of the particular suede sneaker. Some might be OK, some I wouldn't care for. But I'm afraid these particular suede sneakers with any blazer I can bring to mind would be just a little too casual.

But I might be wrong.

I had a feeling I may be pushing it a little. Here's a shot of the specific knit blazer I'm referring to anyway. It has all patch pockets and a very casual silhouette. I know its hard to tell from this poor quality photo.

 

[MNJ83]

Sorry if this is more info/opinions that you want;

But I would keep them away from blazers. I don’t particularly care for the dressy sneaker trend. Could be because I am already in my 30’s. To me they look like a new more expensive and glorified version of sketchers.

That being said I think these would work with jeans and a polo. I think if you add the blazer, even a casual j crew Cotton blazer, it gives a really trying-to-be-cool- young vibes which make men over 25 look like Robert Downey Jr.

 

[FLMike]

Sorry, not a fan of those for any purpose. There are so many options out there for the dressy sneaker look. Those would not make my top 10 list of candidates, were I in the market for such a shoe. They remind me too much of the old Keds Champions that all the girls used to wear back in middle school.

Additionally, I personally will not be pairing any sneakers with any blazers. Not even those Cole-Haan wingtip hybrids with the rubber soles (ZeroGrands, I think they’re called). With a casual blazer, I’d prefer a loafer of some kind, or a pair of desert boots or other chukkas.

 

[Troones]

. They remind me too much of the old Keds Champions that all the girls used to wear back in middle school.

Maybe that was the look I was going for.

Seriously though, I appreciate the candid replies. These, along with carefully reading the reviews on AE's own website have helped me decide to cancel this order.

They're clearly not the shoe that will fit my needs for what I'm intending. The hunt continues!

 

[KCO]

Maybe that was the look I was going for.

Seriously though, I appreciate the candid replies. These, along with carefully reading the reviews on AE's own website have helped me decide to cancel this order.

They're clearly not the shoe that will fit my needs for what I'm intending. The hunt continues!

Church's Mirfield sneaker might fill that gap for you, I think they are better looking than the AEs above.

 

[Flanderian]

True confessions!!! Even geriatric Flanderians wear sneakers! (At least in the summer with casual wear.) These were once the original Sperry Topsider; a handsome, inexpensive canvas shoe I would typically wear out in a season. They've since obtained cult status, they cost much more, and they're a very different article.

Lately, (I.e., in the last 20 years.) I picked up a pair of tan slip-on sneakers from the pre-Sears Lands End, and after only 15 years, or so, I've finally managed to poke a hole in the toe. But by which time, I had become attached to the style and comfort, and it had earned a permanent niche in my footwear wardrobe.

The hunt began for their replacements! After a dead end, or two, I happened upon their eventual replacement. I was surprised by their being suede rather than canvas, but liked their looks anyway, even though they were from Polo. (Yeah, they've got the dumb cowboy, or whatever on them, but astonishingly, it's very, very discrete.) They looked well made, study and comfortable, and they are. Better yet, $55 from Zappos with free shipping.
Can't beat it with a stick! :happy:

Now neither I, or anyone with a modicum of discernment is going to wear these with blazers. Tori Richard Aloha shirts, yes, blazers, no. So what kind of sneaker do you wear with blazers!? :icon_scratch:

Well, there was this guy who used to be The Duke of Windsor after he lost his job. And while I'm not going to spend an hour of so finding it, there's a photo of him wearing sneakers with his blazer, and looking d**n smart doing it! And his sneakers looked a whole lot like this -

The only difference being that they had white flat laces, which fortunately, are still available anywhere. And this happens to be the lace-up version of the Vaughn model from Polo that I purchased. So I have every reason to believe that they will be well made, sturdy, comfortable and handsome also.

Edit: Well, narfle the Garthok! It came readily to hand -

 

[Flanderian]

Oops!

Cancel that recommendation. I found a better photo, and whereas the machete wielding cowboy on my suede version is discreet nearly to the point of invisibility, it's front and center on the only blue versions of the Vaughn model I could find.

Don't wear such things, find it, well . . . . tacky.

 

[David J. Cooper]

OK. Flanderian is correct, if you are a direct heir to the throne and shockingly thin then yes do it.

 

[StephenRG]

Apparently one's socks should match one's cushions.

 

[Flanderian]

Apparently one's socks should match one's cushions.

Or the whites of one's eyes!

Sartorial principle #273: pale yellow goes with everything!

(Note too - 6 sleeve buttons!)

 

[ItalianStyle]

Well, the Duke's footwear has heels (to some degree...). Are they then still considered sneakers?

 

[Flanderian]

Well, the Duke's footwear has heels (to some degree...). Are they then still considered sneakers?

Yes, high-heeled sneakers! irate:

 

[YukonCornelius21]

Many better options other than this particular shoe!