[jithu9684]

Hi All,
Over the last 2 years, I've slowly started to replace my $50 shoes with more quality, $150-$300 shoes (a decent amount of AE). I feel I have a good starting, versatile collection, but in prep for their annual sale in October, started thinking about what style/color to get next and not sure. Would love some advice. Right now, I have the following:
-Black Carlyle Oxford for suits & formal
-Chili St. Johns Monk Strap
-Brown Higgins Mill Boot
-Walnut Walker Brogue Chelsea (a more casual chelsea)
-Oak Loafer from Wolf & Shepherd - really dark brown (Used for my business travel, which I do a lot of)
-Maple Wingtip form Wolf & Shepherd - kind of like chili (Used for my business travel, which I do a lot of)

Regardless of whether you believe AE or Wolf & Shepherd are 'quality', what styles and/or colors should I consider next? What would be a versatile shoe I could use in both casual and work environments (not super formal)?
Should I get a shoe that is in oxblood, mostly just have dark browns and walnuts right now? Should I get a dress boot? Or a chelsea (the walker brogue has a white bottom so more casual than dress)? Chukka Boot? Or something else? Any advice on what you think is the most versatile style and next logical color would be appreciated!

 

[mlenecare]

What level of dress do you find yourself in most frequently?

 

[jithu9684]

Typically in Jeans & Chinos with button downs, sweaters; the occasional dress pants + sport coat for business meetings. I'm typically never in a suit, except for weddings in which case I'd probably opt for my black oxfords based on the suits I have.

 

[eagle2250]

Get yourself a pair of burgundy AE Leeds. It will soon be a staple of your footwear stable!

 

[mlenecare]

You should consider some suede shoes in a style you like.

 

[SG_67]

Suede chukka boots would fit in nicely and give you so much versatility.

 

[jithu9684]

I've always loved the suede chelsea look. I've always been hesitant on spending money on a nicer pair of suede shoes only because of fear of getting them messed up getting stuck in the rain or snow. I was thinking leather Chelsea's might make more sense for a higher cost option, and get a low cost pair of suedes in case of damage. But that might be a dumb way of thinking about it.

 

[SG_67]

I've always loved the suede chelsea look. I've always been hesitant on spending money on a nicer pair of suede shoes only because of fear of getting them messed up getting stuck in the rain or snow. I was thinking leather Chelsea's might make more sense for a higher cost option, and get a low cost pair of suedes in case of damage. But that might be a dumb way of thinking about it.

There's nothing delicate about suede. Properly cared for and treated, it actually does very well if it gets wet.
As for the style, that's your call. My preference is for a chukka but then I'm not you. Just get it out of your head that suede is delicate somehow.

 

[mlenecare]

^^^^^
SG is absolutely correct.
I've worn suede in the rain many times. Most people don't know how to take care of suede so they are afraid of it. There are quite a few tutorials on youtube for taking care of suede properly.

 

[richard warren]

My own approach to shoes is to get two pairs, one black and one brown, in each niche. That is, two pair of formal shoes, one black and one brown, two pair of penny loafers, etc.

If I were in your position I would get some brown or light brown/ tan oxfords, probably perf cap toes. Given current trends you could wear them with suit to jeans.

 

[winghus]

SG_67 is absolutely right. Get a pair of dark brown suede chukkas in a sleek last ( kind of rules out AE as their chukkas are bulbous) and it will be the most versatile shoe you have. You can wear it with a sports jacket and odd trousers w/tie on down to jeans.

I have a number of suede shoes and using Terragon Nanoprotector on them will make water roll off like they're Teflon. As far as pricing, cheap suede looks better than cheap leather so the only problem is finding a sleek last on one of the cheaper brands. I'd look at Meermin or one of the English brands at Pediwear. If you like Chelseas, this all will apply to them as well.

 

[jithu9684]

Thank you to all for your advice. I have a few things to consider, but definitely leaning towards the suede boot route.

While I have a knowledgable audience, wanted to get an opinion on something. I was recently gifted the attached shoes and debating whether or not to keep them. The color is called Spanish Red. As you can see it is more prominently red than burgundy or oxblood. Would you all consider this as a valid color to add to a collection, to wear with jeans and chinos? Or I can exchange for a tan.

 

[cmoore]

. Would you all consider this as a valid color to add to a collection, to wear with jeans and chinos? Or I can exchange for a tan.

I'd rock it with anything dark blue. Jeans, chinos, even navy trousers.

Personal preference, but I don't get as much use out of tan shoes. My walnut Allan Edmonds never see much wear. Bourbon AEs I have DO see wear, and seem to go great with anything grey in a way I don't think those red shoes would. It is a subtle difference, and lots of folks like Walnut and other, more tan colored browns. So you just have to judge your taste there.

 

[scottfranklin]

I wear my Paul Evans oxblood chukkas (below) with everything from jeans to (dark) suits and they never fail. Or, at least, my wife has never told me that they failed so they're succeeding with the person that matters most!

 

[eagle2250]

Thank you to all for your advice. I have a few things to consider, but definitely leaning towards the suede boot route.

While I have a knowledgable audience, wanted to get an opinion on something. I was recently gifted the attached shoes and debating whether or not to keep them. The color is called Spanish Red. As you can see it is more prominently red than burgundy or oxblood. Would you all consider this as a valid color to add to a collection, to wear with jeans and chinos? Or I can exchange for a tan.

If I were gifted with those boots, I would certainly keep them and wear them regularly. The color is not an issue...it will prove to be almost as versatile as burgundy.

 

[SG_67]

Thank you to all for your advice. I have a few things to consider, but definitely leaning towards the suede boot route.

While I have a knowledgable audience, wanted to get an opinion on something. I was recently gifted the attached shoes and debating whether or not to keep them. The color is called Spanish Red. As you can see it is more prominently red than burgundy or oxblood. Would you all consider this as a valid color to add to a collection, to wear with jeans and chinos? Or I can exchange for a tan.

in my opinion, those will be more versatile than if in tan. You can wear those with a range of gray, blue (including denim) as well as earth tones.

 

[medhat]

Thank you to all for your advice. I have a few things to consider, but definitely leaning towards the suede boot route.

While I have a knowledgable audience, wanted to get an opinion on something. I was recently gifted the attached shoes and debating whether or not to keep them. The color is called Spanish Red. As you can see it is more prominently red than burgundy or oxblood. Would you all consider this as a valid color to add to a collection, to wear with jeans and chinos? Or I can exchange for a tan.

I'd be interested in hearing about your experience with Wolf & Shepherd shoes. At retail I think they're generously overpriced, as they don't appear to be recraftable and IMO the leather appears very plasticy. Style wise I think they're alright, and am considering them as a "travel shoe" which I think you mention is how you use them.