What Brand of Dress Shoes (Black or Brown) Do You Wear to Work?

meong on 24/06/2018 - 08:03

Hi guys,

I saw the recent Julius Marlow sales and then I remembered how I vowed to never buy shoes from Pacific Brands again.

In the last 5-7 years or so I have tried different shoes to wear to work. I did spend on a few pairs of Hush Puppies or Julius Marlow but I noticed that these shoes just don't last.

I have a mild to severe pronating right foot. What I notice is the way I walk destroys a lot of shoes especially since I take public transport most of the time, that will include a lot of walking (to the stations, etc).

My Hush Puppies and Julius Marlow in the past always break less than 12 months. The issues range from a sudden hole on the sole that I could feel the water from the puddle got into the shoes! I had a Julius Marlow that had the leather panel stitching broke!

Last time I had a good pair of shoes that last was a pair of black boots from Ben Sherman. However, shoes aren't really their specialty and they don't always sell shoes. I wore that boot to work, Saturday night drinking and even a trip around Europe and it lasted me more than 2 years!

I'm currently wearing Florsheim and Windsor, but the Windsor one already got destroyed less than a year. The Florsheim one is doing a bit better.

So, what do you guys wear? Any good suggestion for a brand instead that I should get instead of waiting for an OzBargain deal? B-)

Fashion & Apparel Footwear

Comments

  • Islund on 24/06/2018 - 08:28

    Am fortunate enough that I did not have to wear a suit or face external customers. Business shirts/pants with Kayanos does it for me in the office.

  • Peace Maker on 24/06/2018 - 08:55
    +1

    Would a better long term option be to see a podiatrist and get an insole that corrects your pronation and thereby get more life from your shoes? Even if you don't get a custom made inner sole which are very expensive (unless you have good health cover), an off the shelf version may help. If you have severe pronation you must be in some serious discomfort.

  • smuggler on 24/06/2018 - 09:11

    CTShirts.com.au or Allen Edmonds

    Never buy dress shoes from AUstralia

  • cashless on 24/06/2018 - 09:41

    If you are after some top end, handmade shoes that can be repaired (new soles/heels etc) and wil last for years, you could do worse than starting off here

    • Dtezy on 24/06/2018 - 09:45

      Agree m, Loakes are great very comfortable and well made if they are made in uk.
      Don’t buy them from Australia though

    • Randxyz123 on 24/06/2018 - 10:56

      Would recommend Mr. Porter over herrings shoes. Simply because they'll let you return them for FREE if they don't fit. Buy a couple of options.

      What is so important for shoes is how comfortable they are.

      I personally wear black for formal occasions. Brown for less formal.

      I wear slacks and brown shoes every day

  • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 10:18

    Ditto to what peace maker says about seeing a podiatrist as it will help with your gate and it may just be an insole to rectify. I work in doc martins yellow stick as they have great rubber soles for comfort and full leather uppers. Other shoes are Aquila with leather soles, but I don't always wear those only for a more casual dress at work.

  • toristo on 24/06/2018 - 12:10
    +1

    I wear black and brown depending on the day and whether I'm wearing grey/charcoal or navy.

    I have had a few pairs, but a pair of Aquila's that I had in a really soft leather were easily the most comfortable, but they only lasted 12 months. My Florsheim are my next most comfortable, and they're doing well.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2018 - 12:53

    I have two pairs of Jeff Banks, from their performance range, which supposedly has more cushioning.

    Highly recommend, very comfortable and have lasted the last year while without any wear and tear

  • Shadowsfury on 24/06/2018 - 12:56

    I've found my florsheim shoes don't last very long 12-18 months and showing signs of age already. I have two pairs I rotate mind you. Leather coming off the sole at the front and hole in the sole so when its wet water gets through.

    It's unfortunate because they were better a few years ago.

  • dcc on 24/06/2018 - 12:57
    +1

    Depending on how formal your workplace is (and how much you want to spend), you may be able to get away with a pair of dress RM Williams. They'll last, but they're not cheap.

    Seconding the podiatrist recommendation also.

  • Janko on 24/06/2018 - 14:54
    +3

    A fan of quality shoes, typically $300 and above:

    1) Soles will be stitched on (Blake stitch or Goodyear welt), not glued which is the first thing to fail.
    2) Soles are therefore replaceable.
    3) Leather soles. Although rubber is nice for bad weather (and usually is an option), leather just feels great.
    4) They won't look cheap - cheap shoes, even if new, just look poorly designed. They'll have excess cuts as larger, blemish-free cuts of leather are more expensive.
    5) The leather will be full grain leather, which is the top grade, the most durable and has the most character. They will last a lifetime. The cheaper grades, top grain or even worse, 'genuine' or bonded don't last.
    6) They'll develop a beautiful patina with time because of the full grain.
    7) A huge one - when you pay big, you look after them. You'll polish them, you'll use shoe horns to protect the heel, you'll use a shoe tree to keep their shape. Nothing lets down a great outfit than average shoes.
    8) They will smell less. As you will cherish the shoes, you will reserve them for their occasion and remove them as soon as possible. Cedar shoe trees deodorize. You'll also start to alternate between more shoes as you realise the pair you have for weddings/.. are too formal for work, the work pair too formal for casual etc. You'll feel a million dollars in them and start to buy more variations.

    • kahn on 24/06/2018 - 19:02
      +2

      This is probably the best reply given the OP couldn't even be bothered providing a price range or search forum threads. Another piece of advice is not to wear the same shoes two days in a row so they have time to dry. Moisture is not a shoe's friend.

    • Shiny Mew on 27/06/2018 - 21:34

      The jury is still out as to whether wood, let alone cedar, shoe trees work to remove or reduce smells in the long term. While wood does absorb odours, it also releases it over time.

      • Janko on 03/07/2018 - 12:50

        Good to know - it's probably cycling shoes keeping the smell away more.

    • Lastronin on 17/07/2018 - 16:36

      Thanks for your insight knowledge. May I ask what shoes brand would you recommend for work/leather shoes?

  • Illian on 24/06/2018 - 15:12

    Prada Sport, look like dress shoes from above, feel like comfy sneakers, love them!

  • Ugly on 25/06/2018 - 14:53

    Rivers.

    Comfortable and are cheap enough to replace when needed without breaking the bank. Currently wearing these which are currently on sale for $20! Had them for nearly 12 months and only now starting to wear through the soles.

  • Xyzzy on 25/06/2018 - 18:05

    https://www.redbackboots.com.au/hospitality

    The Redback Waiter shoes last for ages, are very comfortable and look OK for an office. I've had mine for years walking to/from public transport, and am just starting to wear through at the back of the heels.

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