I do it all the time. Looks great to me.

 

Not as formal as a captoe but perfectly acceptable IMO.

 

It's a lovely Alden in either color. However . . . do you really want to wear a Blucher/Derby shoe with your suits?

It is considered by some to be, perhaps, too casual for a suit. The split toe (whether mocassion or Norwegian) only adds to the casual look.

edited for spelling

 

I have the AE model like this and I would not hesitate to wear them with a suit.

guit

 

I don't own any split toe shoes, since I just don't like them at all. Otherwise, I think that they are ok with suits. They are in the same boat as any blutcher shoe - so if you would wear an pain toe blutcher with suits (for example, I do) then this shoe is ok too.

 

As a separate post script, I would say if your current wardrobe doesn’t include any Balmorals, by all means wear those lovely Alden Bluchers.

When you find Balmorals that you like, you might include them in your shoe collection as a dressier alternative to the Alden Bluchers.

 

quote:Originally posted by Full Canvas

As a separate post script, I would say if your current wardrobe doesn’t include any Balmorals, by all means wear those lovely Alden Bluchers.

When you find Balmorals that you like, you might include them in your shoe collection as a dressier alternative to the Alden Bluchers.

I actually have quite a few bals that I like (AE park aves, AE byrons). I bought those Alden's for more casual wear, but I've become quite fond of them and I'm just wondering: what is the current thinking on split toe bluchers (in brown) with a suit?

 

Generally, I like that shoe and have a few that are similar.

Specifically (as to your question about wearing them with suits), I think they're a bit too casual for more formal business dress (i.e., with suits). I tend to wear mine with odd trousers and sportcoats.

I've been wondering what the concensus of this forum is on them. I bought most of mine 5-7 years ago, when they were more prevalent (everyone from low-end to higher-end had their version), so I wondered if the trads considered this a trendy style that's past its prime or one that will stand the test of time.

I wonder the same thing about this style of shoe.



I've got a similar shoe by Donald J. Pliner and another by Cole Haan, but the toe stitching is more squared than round. Is this another trendy style that has seen better days?

 

Saluting your persistence , I can see those Alden's providing some wonderful harmony with a suit done in a worsted serge/cavalry twill or maybe in a modest donegal tweed. Your Alden's dark brown color is quite versatile.

Have some fun either way! I rather doubt anyone will stop you in the street unless it's to complement you. What tiny percentage of the public really knows? Most eyes only see a pair of shoes.

 

saw some Ferragamos in chocolate with the split toe... unfortunately I just couldn't pull it off at work... opted for a more conservative loafer.

they would look great with jeans though.

-clueless 1st year associate attorney, los angeles.

 

Yes, that would be just fine by most people's standards. I certainly wouldn't wear them for the most important/most formal business occasions, but it doesn't sound like you want to do that anyway. Wear them in good health and enjoy them!

 

My first thought on reading the tread was a pair of sandles or gasp, flip flops on some Jamaican businessman.Unless it's a formal situation go ahead. The irony here is we go into minutae in a world of gross ignorance and indifference.If only all of those overpriced athletic shoes poor teenagers shoot each other for were replaced tommorow with split toes.

 

I have a pair of black Church's Exmoor split toe calfskin bluchers - sleeker than the Alden's, with finer stitching. I got them to wear with a grey flannel suit. However,I was never quite happy with the combination - I really prefer perf cap bals with the suit.

 

I suppose I am not the first:

- I like split toe shoes very much, but I would not use them with formal grey or navy suits. with more casual suits; browns, tweeds, twills etc. the look is great.

JJ

 

I wear my black and burgundy Aldens with suits to work now and then and I really like the look. When they are highly polished, that hand stitching really pops and they appear less casual and more just really nice shoes with some great detail. I have never seen them in dark brown, but I bet they're pretty darn nice.

 

Thanks for the responses! Its quite right that this falls under the heading of "shoe minutae" that most people will miss entirely. But its often the few people who notice who matter ...

I think the members have more or less confirmed my impression: split toe bluchers are probably a little too casual for a suit. BUT: breaking the rules for a nice pair of shoes isn't such a bad thing

 

quote:Originally posted by jcbmath

Thanks for the responses! Its quite right that this falls under the heading of "shoe minutae" that most people will miss entirely. But its often the few people who notice who matter ...

I think the members have more or less confirmed my impression: split toe bluchers are probably a little too casual for a suit. BUT: breaking the rules for a nice pair of shoes isn't such a bad thing

Perhaps the concept of "a suit" is too broad. Which suit? Gray super 120s power suit? No deal. Drapey gray flanel, olive tweed, or heavy camel worsted? Good deal!

 

Yes, I think they would be great with less formal suits, and perfect with a blazer or sport coat.

 

From a personal perspective, no. The split toe, and blucher design just don't appear dressy enough for business. The style is all right with a less formal suit (tweed, corduroy, etc.).

Dennis
If you wish to control the future, then create it.
Est unusquisque faber ipsae suae fortunae

 

What about monkstraps, too casual for suits?

 

Apologies for resurrecting an older thread -- but, I, too, own these split toe Alden's. To add to the dress challenge, I'm color blind, so am always struggling when it comes to deciding which color shoes go with which outfit. Putting aside the suit vs. non-suit question, what color slacks would folks recommend wearing with the dark brown version of these Alden split toes?

 

I just plain don't like them, so I would say no.

 

What place to split-toes have in the English gentleman's wardrobe?

 

I have a couple of split toe derbys and love to wear them with more casual suits and when I am not going to court or in an important depo etc.. In the office or casual suit day around town is fine. I say the same goes for a monk strap. The real sticklers for captoes or whole cuts with suits will always say no. But even Will from ASW indicates that a split toe dery is ok with twee suits and flannels for more casual occasions.

 

Split toes with a jacket and odd trousers works just fine. Any colour trouser will do - navy, tan, beige, brown, grey - as long as it fits reasonably with the brown of the shoe.