[khalidr]

Hello All,

I'm looking to buy a pair of black loafers for the coming school year but I have had some trouble finding what I'm looking for. I will wear the shoes at least 3-4 days/week. I have to walk between classes on a huge campus so I will be doing some major walking on them(couple of miles/day). Style wise, they should be dressy, but not formal...something that I could wear with gray slacks or jeans. I've found what I'm looking for style-wise, but not practicality-wise.

For instance, I really like these:

but I don't think that they will last very long with my walking.

This, in my view, is the perfect shape and sole combination for my style:
https://ferragamo.neimanmarcus.com/...t=cat000000cat102cat125cat127&index=11&tid=C9
I would buy these in the blink of an eye if I could afford them and if they were black.

SOOOO, my question is, with a budget of $250, which shoes would you recommend that have that "grainy" leather look(not necessarily, but preferred), can be used daily, have a heel, and are good quality?

 

[StevenRocks]

I'd suggest the Allen Edmonds Walden. They're not as fashion forward, but they won't disintegrate like the driving mocs you linked to will after a month or two of heavy walking.

 

[khalidr]

hi steven..thanks for the suggestion! I checked them out and they seem like a great pair of dress shoes, but I think I'm looking for something a bit more fashion-forward, any suggestions? maybe something with a bit more elongated shape? thanks!

 

[khalidr]

So the following are shoes that match my style, which would you pick or avoid? if you know of a similar shoe, please post! thanks soo much

https://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=6852&pid=547911&scid=547911002

https://www1.bloomingdales.com/cata...65&CategoryID=10255&PageID=10255*1*24*-1*-1*6

https://www1.bloomingdales.com/cata...40&CategoryID=10255&PageID=10255*1*24*-1*-1*5

 

[Pentheos]

As a graduate of UM, I can tell you that you'll want a pair of BOOTS in addition to your shoes for Ann Arbor - so figure that into your budget. The snow begins to fly in November, and can last through March and April, i.e., six months of the eight month school year.

But gosh, have fun there. Visit Zingermann's as often as you can, there is nothing quite like it anywhere. Ashley's when you get a bit older. It's hard to find higher end clothing there, though there is a nice men's shop on State St. near the Arcade (they have shoes across the Arcade). The mall there is OK.

 

[TheEarl]

As a graduate of UM, I can tell you that you'll want a pair of BOOTS in addition to your shoes for Ann Arbor - so figure that into your budget. The snow begins to fly in November, and can last through March and April, i.e., six months of the eight month school year.

I just moved to Chicago. What shoes would you wear with a suit when the weather is bad?

 

[khalidr]

although i've lived in ann arbor for 9 years, and was a freshman at um last year, i completely forgot about boots lol. I'll think about that when the snow hits, as usual. I concur, zingermann's is THE spot for good food. I've been to Van Boven(the store that you mentioned) but I like shopping there for ties more than anything else. I'm a pretty slim guy (5'10, 145) and I have trouble getting anything to fit me well.

As for the shoes, anyone's opinion would be appreciated! anyone with any experience with bruno magli or boss shoes? if you had to pick one of the following, which would it be?(a step past casual, everyday wear)

https://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalo...5*1*24*-1*-1*6

https://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalo...5*1*24*-1*-1*5

 

[ScotsIrish]

I have had a pair of Hugo Boss penny loafers for over 8 years which I wear on a fairly regular basis. Superb shoes would highly reccomend them (mine are much more "chunky" looking than the shoes you posted, I cannot tell you which model as I do not know myself.)

Hope this helps