your friend is a real genius. Kenneth cole shoes are the best and a real steal at that price.

Do a search and you will know how highly regarded they are. BTW, those shoes will match yovr username very well.

 

your friend is a real genius. Kenneth cole shoes are the best and a real steal at that price.

Do a search and you will know how highly regarded they are. BTW, those shoes will match yovr username very well.

I appreciate it!

 

Ok. Sans snark.

KC shoes are, IMHO, rather unattractive and, more significantly, tend to be less well-constructed than, for example, Alden and Allen Edmond among the American producers and the usual suspects of British and Italian makers. Many report the shoes wearing out very quickly, sole separating from upper, and other unfortunate consequences.

Purely on appearance, the leather looks plastic, the toe box and sole clunky, and the moc stitching very unfortunate. However, YMMV.

You really ought do a search on the forum as this topic has been covered before.

 

Ok. Sans snark.

KC shoes are, IMHO, rather unattractive and, more significantly, tend to be less well-constructed than, for example, Alden and Allen Edmond among the American producers and the usual suspects of British and Italian makers. Many report the shoes wearing out very quickly, sole separating from upper, and other unfortunate consequences.

Purely on appearance, the leather looks plastic, the toe box and sole clunky, and the moc stitching very unfortunate. However, YMMV.

You really ought do a search on the forum as this topic has been covered before.

+1

These are not very attractive shoes and clearly not well made. They also aren't dress shoes either; the moc toe makes them a casual style. I think upnorth was being sarcastic. Search the fora for Kenneth Cole shoes and you won't find much support.

 

Stay away from Kenneth Cole dress shoes. They're poorly constructed, the leather is terrible quality, and their designs are rather hideous if you ask me. You're much better off investing in a good pair of shoes like from Crockett & Jones or Alden. If they're going to be your winter workhorse shoes, then I recommend getting some shell cordovan chukkas.

 

I think what these people are trying to say is that these shoes are utter crap. I understand these are meant to be winter, workhorse shoes, but you should save your money and get one good pair rather than two sh!tty ones. Seeing as you joined this forum, I assume that is something that would be important to you.

 

Unfortunately in my humble opinion "they are junk". Sorry.

 

+1

These are not very attractive shoes and clearly not well made. They also aren't dress shoes either; the moc toe makes them a casual style. I think upnorth was being sarcastic. Search the fora for Kenneth Cole shoes and you won't find much support.

Hahaa...I know he was. My reply was sarcastic too. I want to get a "different" respectable shoe to pair with suits; I already have the AE Wendells and some Florsheim cap toes, along with a few other pairs; any ideas? Thanks for your input

 

I think what these people are trying to say is that these shoes are utter crap. I understand these are meant to be winter, workhorse shoes, but you should save your money and get one good pair rather than two sh!tty ones. Seeing as you joined this forum, I assume that is something that would be important to you.

Yea, it's absolutely important to me. I have some nicer shoes already, so I'm looking for a decent price, unique design shoe that also has some quality built into it.

 

What about Johnston and Murphy? They're around the same price and have some models that I like - any input on J&M? Thanks.

 

Johnston & Murphy are okay, but they're still "mall shoes" if you know what I mean. There is nothing outstanding about their construction or their designs, and they're rather mediocre overall. Get some dress boots from a reputable shoemaker like C&J, Alden, Cheaney, etc etc. Provided you take good care of them, winter should be no problem.

 

More to your price range, Allen Edmonds can be found for under $200. It'll be about $50 more than where you are looking, but it'll be well worth it. You'll have to buy a new pair of J&M or Kenneth Cole every year, AEs will last at least 5 before needing re-soled (something you cannot do with the former). I'd personally avoid spending $350 on Aldens until you are figure out what you like (style, fit, etc.). This thread has a few examples https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=99572

 

Do a search and you will know how highly regarded they are.

Despite the sarcasm, this was excellent advice.

Searching this forum will turn up threads such as these:
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=45853
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=96350&highlight=johnston+murphy
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=92016&highlight=johnston+murphy
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=88130&highlight=johnston+murphy
https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=80964&highlight=johnston+murphy
etc.............................................................

 

Your feet will thank you to stay away from Kenneth Cole. I am speaking from personal experience. My lovely wife bought me a pair for Christmas one year. Not to offend her I wore them a few times to show her how much I "loved" them. Thankfully they fell apart quickly and were removed from the rotation.

With a pair of bicycle toe and cap toes in the rotation, how about a nice pair of wingtips? I think I saw a thread with AE McClains for $175. If you can snag a pair of the chili pebble grain, you will be off to one heck of a shoe collection.

I am not as down on J&M's as some others as I have beaten quite a few pair up over time. You can often get "buy one pair, get one 1/2 off" sales at outlets where you can pick up 2 pair of shoes for under $175.

 

I think I saw a thread with AE McClains for $175. If you can snag a pair of the chili pebble grain, you will be off to one heck of a shoe collection.

+1. Search - there was a thread yesterday about an Allen Edmonds closeout sale. You should be able to pick up a Soho (captoe) or a McClain (wingtip) for $175, among others. No reason to settle for junk when you can get quality under $200.

 

They look nice and the people on this board are correct that AE's are of better quality but 3x's the price. But, for that style it's a good deal and they will last if part of a rotation. When buying them make sure they are KC NY and not Reacation though..they seem to be NY.

I perfer Cole Haan to J&M. J&M actuallly only re-soles limited styles where AE and Cole Haan are more flexable...I learned that the hard way.

 

Ok, well what does everyone think about this model of AE?

These are the Allen Edmonds Tribeca and are only $199. They have them in chili as well, but I already have the chili in the AE Wendell. All comments are welcomed once again!

 

My personal experience of Kenneth Cole shoes has been very negative.

They were twice the price, and half the quality of any other shoe I have ever bought before.

Seriously, they were the worst-constructed shoes I have ever bought.

I would never buy Kenneth Cole again. I regret it.

 

These are the Allen Edmonds Tribeca and are only $199. They have them in chili as well, but I already have the chili in the AE Wendell. All comments are welcomed once again!

Honestly, they look terrible. It is the sort of stuff I see daily with visitors to our lab - bad suits, worse shoes. Why don't you go for a classic styling - a captoe or wingtip?

 

Your feet will thank you to stay away from Kenneth Cole. I am speaking from personal experience. My lovely wife bought me a pair for Christmas one year. Not to offend her I wore them a few times to show her how much I "loved" them. Thankfully they fell apart quickly and were removed from the rotation.

With a pair of bicycle toe and cap toes in the rotation, how about a nice pair of wingtips? I think I saw a thread with AE McClains for $175. If you can snag a pair of the chili pebble grain, you will be off to one heck of a shoe collection.

I am not as down on J&M's as some others as I have beaten quite a few pair up over time. You can often get "buy one pair, get one 1/2 off" sales at outlets where you can pick up 2 pair of shoes for under $175.

The wingtip is a great suggestion - I didn't even think about that. The McClains are definitely nice, but I think I'd rather opt for this wingtip: AE McAllister

I really like the color, but what suit colors would go best with them? I personally think they would look GREAT with a light to mid grey (pretty much anything lighter than charcoal). What about this color with navy...do you think it would work? *I'm thinking it could look ridiculously good or ridiculously bad with the navy - could go either way* Haha

 

My personal experience of Kenneth Cole shoes has been very negative.

They were twice the price, and half the quality of any other shoe I have ever bought before.

Seriously, they were the worst-constructed shoes I have ever bought.

I would never buy Kenneth Cole again. I regret it.

Well I was already leaning toward not purchasing them, and thanks to your post...I'm DEFINITELY NOT. You pretty much put the icing on the cake. Thanks for the KC information everyone.

 

You may as well get quality shoes that you can wear all year round, not just winter beaters. If you were planning on spending $125 per pair for two pair of substandard KCs, why not spend an extra $100 total and get two pair of AEs? I suggest the Soho in black and Evanston in walnut. If your budget allows that, you will definitely come out better in the long run as far as quality and cost. That would be a smarter move, in my opinion.

The AE Tribeca that you suggest represent AE's entry level, rubber soled shoe. Why pay $199 for the entry level when you can pay $175 for the top of the line close out prices that are being offered right now?

 

I would suggest Nordstroms Rack and look for Cole Haan, AE, or J&M in whatever flavor floats your boat at a good price - or just throw on a pair of zip up Tingley's and wear your good shoes.

 

Honestly, they look terrible. It is the sort of stuff I see daily with visitors to our lab - bad suits, worse shoes. Why don't you go for a classic styling - a captoe or wingtip?

hate these...

 

Honestly, they look terrible. It is the sort of stuff I see daily with visitors to our lab - bad suits, worse shoes. Why don't you go for a classic styling - a captoe or wingtip?

Haha...honesty is appreciated. I have some captoes in the rotation, but the wingtip is a great suggestion. I posted a pair that I'm considering. What's another style besides captoe and wingtip that would be a staple in my shoe wardrobe? I definitely want an oxford - just don't know which way I should go next for more "modern" (NOT trendy - I want something that will stay in style) type dress shoe.