Mission accomplished.

Adam,

A pair of black Allen Edmonds Park Avenues is the perfect starter dress shoe:



http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline...ategory=120552

Black shoes are very standard for dark suits.

That's a sexy ****ing shoe. Thanks. Anyone else that wants to suggest specific pieces is more than welcome.

I think a saw a brown monkstrap posted in the reg fashion thread that I thought was nice too.

Edit: Here it is. Apparently it is discontinued though.



This is all they have now but it is black and not as cool looking imo.



Anyone have brand suggestions for something similar?

I know I said don't get black, but it's not a mistake or anything to do so. I just prefer brown / maroon. Park Avenue, is a pretty standard dress shoe that's good for most occassions.

This is known as one of the best double monk straps out there for it's price.

http://www.crockettandjones.co.uk/monkshoes-lownde.html.

I'm sure it comes in black too, although once again, I prefer the brown.

This will probably be my next work shoe purchase.

Do you know the approx price on those before I go waltzing into the NYC showroom and see an $800 price tag?

Adam,

If you want an upgrade from Allen Edmonds Park Avenue go to Turnbull & Asser. They sell Crockett & Jones and the same type of shoe would be the Audley.

If you want to spend even more money go to Saks and check out Edward Green.

If you want to spend **** loads of money, take a look at John Lobb.

For ungodly amounts of money there's always Silvano Lattanzi or Kiton

Ferragamo is another choice. They have a made to measure program for their top line.

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/crockett/ranges/64.php

You don't pay VAT, so 250 pounds. You can probably find them for cheaper if you look around.

Cool, they have a store in NYC so I'll just go check it out in person. Just wanted to make sure it was reasonably (lulz) priced. $400 I can swing.

Drop by Atelier NY and get the Augusta reverse horsehide black leather boots while you are there. You'll have the most baller boots in Austin and it will only cost you around 2K.

Yeah see that's not happening.

All,

Let's remember that Adam lives in Austin, TX and that his goal is just to look a little more sophisticated. I assume that a large factor in that goal is looking more attractive to females. With that in mind, I think going too crazy with shoes would be a waste. I doubt even a sophisticated TX chick (or chick from anywhere really) is going to appreciate >$500 shoes.

I think this is a very common consideration that should be taken into account during any clothing purchase. You have to ask yourself what your goals are and know who your audience is. If you just really love shoes and get enjoyment out of wearing $2,000 shoes regardless of whether anyone else appreciates them, then fine. But I think that such people are in the vast minority. Most people wear clothes to impress others, fit in, look more attractive, etc. Even freaks with green mohawks who say that they are just expressing themselves and don't care what anyone else thinks are still trying impress other freaks.

With respect to spending more for quality items, there is certainly something to be said for purchasing quality items that are made of good materials and will last a long time, but you have to consider whether the marginal cost is greater than the marginal benefit, and often spending more money does not get you better quality. I think it's also important to not get sucked into buying items that look good to a small percentage of the population (i.e. fashion buffs) but that the majority of the population is indifferent to.


This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but is just something that I think should be kept in mind. Focus on the essentials of fit, quality (but only if marginal cost > marginal benefit quality), knowing what's in style, matching items properly, mixing things up, etc.

slickpoppa,

Awesome post. Agreed. There's a limit to spending a ****ton on an item just because. I'm not entirely sure what that limit is though tbh.

I don't think there are any easy answers. Clothing companies spend most of their money on advertising and creating a certain image, rather than actually producing a quality product. Fashion is probably one of the most irrational markets out there.

Fair point. Let's look at some shoes.

Both are Allen Edmonds.



Crockett & Jones. Left are Benchgrade. Right are Hand Grade.


Left to right. Sutor Mantellassi, Ferragamo Tramezza mtm, Ferragamo Tramezza mtm


If you don't see a difference or you don't care about the difference, get the Allen Edmonds. I'm not trying to be pretentious. I mean it in all sincerity. I suggest checking them out in person though.

I was joking about the $2K shoes. But I think you're wrong about people having a price ceiling on what they can appreciate.

It's kind of like talking about wine. Some people will say that they like most $50 bottles better than the $6 bottle from the grocery, but that there is no point in buying a $500 bottle because there's not that much difference from a good $50 bottle. But to say that other people can't tell the difference is naive. The difference between the Augusta boots and say a $300 pair of Fryes is huge to me (not that I will ever own the Augustas.) It's the difference between someone saying "cool boots" and "those are the coolest boots I've ever seen." Lots of people would notice the difference, even if they don't realize it.

Adam, before you get those watches, something to consider. Buy a watch that will work in a business and dress situation, then get a sports watch. You should be covered for most situations then.

Chances I ever need to wear anything in a business situation: zero

Anyone have shoe tree recommendations? Should I get them from the people making the shoe or does it matter?

A couple of points:

1. Most people have a finite amount of money that they can/will spend on their wardrobe, so $X more on shoes means $X less on other items. So even if those $X do purchase better shoes, its not necessarily a +EV purchase if those $X could be better spent elsewhere.

2. I never said that there is a absolute ceiling to what any one person can appreciate. Rather, I was pointing out that there may be a ceiling to what a particular audience can appreciate. If someone is in a social circle in which everyone can appreciate $2,000 shoes, then I think it's perfectly rational for that person to buy those shoes if it's not to the detriment of the rest of his wardrobe. I can't say what the point of diminishing returns for any particular person is, but I think it is something to be kept in mind.

I'm 100% certain of this:

If I purchase all this ****, absolutely no one I currently hang out with will have a goddamned clue how much any of it cost. I expect the reaction to be "wow, that looks good!" and nothing more. So all I'm really doing moving up in price point beyond the not total **** baseline is pleasing myself. I'm cool with that. But as slickpoppa said, at a certain point I'm ****ing pleased and would rather have more strippers or vacations or money saved for a house. $500 for a pair of shoes is about that point.

I'm also currently compiling a shopping list of **** for me to check out while I'm either here in Austin or in NYC. It will also have a running total for how screwed my checking account is going to get by this. I would like to preemptively thank KaiserSose for recommending a $1600 suit that look really good (on a model at least) you son of bitch. Please tell me there is a sale somewhere or $1k equivalent I can find.

This is just things to look at, not necessarily going to buy it unless it fits good and I like it after looking at it in person. I also may not buy them in person if I can get a good internet price.

I really need recommendations for dress shirts and ties brands. I'm missing a ton but I'll come back and work on this later. Feel free to suggest things.

Shopping List



$1726 ($1595 pre-tax) from RalphLauren.com
Ralph Lauren Black Label Anthony Wool Gabardine Suit (Charcoal or Navy)

Where to find in NYC:

Ralph Lauren
379 West Broadway
New York, NY 10012

*can also be found in Austin at the Ralph Lauren store at The Domain (likely I do this before I go though I don't really have shoes to wear)



~$345 from Pediwear w/ pricematch of P. Lal price
Crockett and Jones Lowndes Double Monkstrap in Dark Brown



~$435 from Pediwear w/ pricematch of P. Lal price
Crocket and Jones Audley in Black

Where to find in NYC:

Turnbull and Asser
42 E 57th St
New York, NY 10022



$645 from Watches On Net
Oris Classic Date



$775 from Authentic Watches
Oris Artelier Small Second Date



$975 from Authentic Watches
Oris Artelier Complication

Where to find in NYC:

Tourneau
500 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022


Total FML I Spent Way Too Damn Much: $4,901 ($2,506 excl. watches)

So what other kind of shoes should I be looking for. I've got a dark brown monkstrap, and a black dress shoe. Boots? Seude? Diff colors? Kind of lost at where to go next for shoes.

Also like I said above shirt/tie brand recommendations would be awesome.

Also alternative suit recommendations would be nice.