Almost new on ebay is probably going to be your best bet. Or wait for another rare sale.

if you are patient, this

I have no love for old rotting stinky shoes, but Park Avenues worn < 10 times (and not run through mud in) are still good as new, and will sell on ebay for $50 - $70 probably. basic pictures will let you know if they are in good shape.

though patience is really the key. in 6 or so months I've only seen 1 or 2 in my size (in black) that fit the above description. of course it would be much easier for me to drive 15 minutes and plunk down $300 on a pair, I have just developed a mental block that prevents me from doing that sort of thing

Yea I don't know if I can buy used shoes either, just creeps me out. I have servicable brown shoes for work but I want a more durable pair that will last 5+ years. I would pay 150-200 but it looks like thats probably impossible because the nice AE shoes are so popular.

Buy used AE's on eBay and then have them recrafted. You'll still save 50+ percent.

recrafting doesn't really fix the gross part, which is the inside.

also once it's been worn enough that it needs to be recrafted, its gotta be pretty well molded to someone else's foot

I am looking to upgrade my dress shirts. I generally buy Kenneth Cole or Express shirts they fit great but after a little while they don't look great. Has anyone owned Thomas Pink shirts, I heard they are awesome but they are like $165. Anyone know of any high quality shirts that are about $100?

Fit is everything.

I would look into custom fitted. If not, Brooks Brothers slim-fit non-iron.

If you want to spend that much I would consider custom fitted. Use www.moderntailor.com if you know your exact measurements and the kind of pattern you want to use.. I've heard good things from them but haven't had the chance to use it yet. There are other sites out there but I think modern tailor is the cheapest.

I got my Park Aves as seconds, and I'm very happy with them. I got them during the Father's Day seconds clearance, so they were even cheaper. Sorry, I don't recall the exact pricing.

i have and like a few thomas pink shirts. i'm not the thinnest guy around and probably they'd be best off with a couple inches taken in around the middle. i've had no problem with the construction, which feels of good quality and hasn't fallen apart in any way at all in the few years i've had my shirts. their standard collar is different (taller?) than most other shirts i've got, but i'm not an expert so i can't really tell you what the technical difference is.

pink was recently on gilt, with prices ranging between like 65 and 95 i think for shirts. similarly when i hit the sale at the vegas pink store, those were the prices. knowing that they go on sale for those prices, i would have a hard time spending >100 on the shirts.

i do really like that you can get quality shirts that have more interesting patterns than most others from pink, while obviously their more "standard" shirts also are quite nice.

Pink is basically the same thing as TM Lewin or Charles Tyrwhitt. just a lot more expensive.

Pink used to be made in the UK or Ireland, and those shirts were a lot higher quality than they are now. I think they are living off the brand equity they built back then to sell their decent stuff at near luxury prices.

Thanx for that link. I will order a couple of shirts to give them a try.

Nice, if you wouldn't mind letting us know how they fit, like if they run small or large to the measurements you give, that would be sweet. Thanks

Seen any good cardigans? This one from J Crew looks nice, but I'm worried it will be too big in the chest / shoulders...

If something is too big in the chest/shoulders, then you're wearing the wrong size. That's a pretty generic cardigan, and I find that J. Crew knits are woefully baggy. All of their model shots involve heavy pinning of the clothes in the back. I guarantee you that the back + sleeves are clipped up.

I've always wondered what the idea was about whether or not to wear a tshirt under a dresshirt. Some guys wear one, others don't. I don't but wondered what the idea was behind either.

I wear a thin undershirt under a dresshirt or button down especially in summer for the sole purpose of catching sweat so I don't look all grimy.

aha catching sweat makes some sense, never figured that one out .
Guess in really overcrowded clubs it's tough to not sweat quite a bit so there it makes a lot of sense.
Any fashion reasons apart from that?

recenty purchased some new black and grey pullovers/long sleeve sweatshirts as the only sweaters i had in my wardrobe were (bright colored) sports hoodies. needed something bit more 'grown up' if you will. now it was time for some new shoes. got these 2 pairs by rockport... felt like decent mix of casual and decent without being too dressy/fancy

Even their in-store mannequins are heavily pinned. Don't know why they can't make a top that is ridiculously boxy but they can't.

Alternative Apparel makes a piece that should fit much better.

If you have to wear one make it a tank top or deep v-neck so it can't be seen.

I clearly need to read this whole thread. In the meantime, I have a question about dress shoes with a navy suit that I will be wearing to job interviews. Do I need to go with black dress shoes or are dark brown to burgundy shoes okay?

I'd say burgundy will be the best choice.

Mixing dressy and casual invariably ends up looking really bad. These are no exception. Do one or the other. There are all kinds of "dress shoes" that look totally fine with jeans or other casual outfits, much better than these which just end up looking like dressy sneakers or cheap dress shoes.

For an interview stick with black probably otherwise all choices are ok