Advice, First pair high quality dress shoes

[aj2603]

Vass Old English View attachment 1227513

This is a good colour. The design is not too busy with minimal broguing. The last is very classic, so won't go out of style. JR soles are the best in the business

 

[aj2603]

For a 500usd budget it's better to buy two pairs at 250 usd than one at 500usd. Your shoes need to rest between wear especially if you are going to wear them for hours. The leather needs to dry - that is why we add shoe trees and let the shoes rest of at least a day between wears.

If it is your first quality shoes I would suggest you buy two pairs of Meermin instead of one Carmina or Vass. You will also be able to experiment two different styles. You can even do a pair of the Meermin maestro line with JR sole and a basic one. I think it would be a safer start for the life of your shoes.

Edit: for 600 usd you can also do two pairs of Carlos Santos if you want something made in Europe.

I would not recommend AE at full price even with a 15% off - styling is very old school and quality for the price is not fine.

That logic is sound. but i agree and disagree.

Agree with: You should defiantly rotate your shoes. You should have a minimum of 2 pairs than u were on alternate days (and use shoe trees). This will exponentially prolong the life of ur shoes. A minimum of 24 hrs of rest with shoe trees should be given between wears. This along with regular conditioning, polishing and brushing.

Disagree with: IMO, If u r planning to buy a shoe, do not compromise. Meermin < Carmina < Vass. And i would not put Allen Edmonds on the list any where (they were good back in the last century, but after the takeover the quality is bad and lasts are outdated). A good pair of Vass shoe will out last a pair of Merrmin and Carlos santos easily.

I personally think if u compromise, u generally don't care about it as much. And due to which u neglect them and don't wear them enough.

I have bought a few shoes, that i bough not coz of love of that company of model. I wanted a particular style (monk straps and tan wing tips) and these shoes were on a massive discount. I though this is a incredible deal and a steal for a style i want (a company that i don't care about). I bought those and they r now just lying on my shelf being neglected.

If u don't like/love something. u r not gonna wear it. At this price point v r looking at something that v like/love. Not from a point of view of utility..

PS: its my outlook. different people have different outlooks.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

For a 500usd budget it's better to buy two pairs at 250 usd than one at 500usd. Your shoes need to rest between wear especially if you are going to wear them for hours. The leather needs to dry - that is why we add shoe trees and let the shoes rest of at least a day between wears.

If it is your first quality shoes I would suggest you buy two pairs of Meermin instead of one Carmina or Vass. You will also be able to experiment two different styles. You can even do a pair of the Meermin maestro line with JR sole and a basic one. I think it would be a safer start for the life of your shoes.

Edit: for 600 usd you can also do two pairs of Carlos Santos if you want something made in Europe.

I would not recommend AE at full price even with a 15% off - styling is very old school and quality for the price is not fine.

This is probably the best advice. You definitely need two pairs of shoes. You can do a black shoe (for those events you mentioned and with your trousers) and a dark brown or burgundy for chinos, jeans etc.

Those Vass shoes would be a great choice and really most shoes with broguing as they are less formal and easier to coordinate with casual clothing.

Saying that, just because you can does not mean you should. I always find beginning your shoe journey with a solid entry level shoe allows you to appreciate a Vass level shoe (which can be considered mid-tier) considerably more. Moreover, it is much more acceptable to have something unexpected occur to a shoe when you are not paying $500 dollars for it.

I'd second @Sfroide3 suggestion of purchasing two pair of shoes (discounted AEs, discounted Carlos Santos, Meermins) and @aj2603 comments pertaining to darker colors.

Were it me, I would probably do the AE Strand in Dark Brown/Coffee, and a Black Captoe from Carlos Santos. Do not forget to account for the trees (On Amazon you can get a great pair for a touch over $20), and shoe care products (creams, waxes, conditioners, brushes).

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Disagree with: IMO, If u r planning to buy a shoe, do not compromise. Meermin < Carmina < Vass. And i would not put Allen Edmonds on the list any where (they were good back in the last century, but after the takeover the quality is bad and lasts are outdated). A good pair of Vass shoe will out last a pair of Merrmin and Carlos santos easily.

I personally think if u compromise, u generally don't care about it as much. And due to which u neglect them and don't wear them enough.

This sort of speaks to what I was referring to. @aj2603 mentioned he bought several shoes so from his experienced both owning and yearning he learned to go for the Vass.

I still think you would or could own a really nice set of multiple pairs of shoes at a good price, which meets your aesthetics, utility, and versatility.

After that, make either your third pair a lighter shoe, or a split toe Edward Green Dover (my biases always tend to come out)!!! ?

 

[Mercurio]

I would suggest to have a look at Cobbler Union, a forum sponsor. They offer quality shoes, made in Spain and easily available at the USA.

Cobbler Union | Goodyear Welted Men's Dress Shoes

Cobbler Union is inspired by the uncompromising values of bespoke shoemaking and believes that a pair of well-made shoes has the power to transform a man.

www.cobbler-union.com

 

[Bubbrubb]

I went ahead with the Vass shoes. They look and fit great. I have other shoes I can rotate but they just aren't high quality... Yet. Florshiem loafers in medium brown, black horse bit loafers, brown cap toe chukka from Clark's. So I will be able to rotate until I build a nicer collection.
Where I think the Vass saves money is the JR soles and the lasted shoe trees are included. Since I bought online I'm not paying sales tax so it's a great advantage over AE. So ultimately it's about the same price as AE and cobbler union. I will get some black cap toe Oxford next but probably won't wear as often as the Vass. I am looking at cobbler union or possibly buying used on ebay since I probably won't wear more than once a week

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

I went ahead with the Vass shoes. They look and fit great. I have other shoes I can rotate but they just aren't high quality.....

An amazing shoe to begin your higher end shoe collection with. You definitely will not be disappointed.
Wear them in good health.

I should have warned you before I made any comment that once you go down this hole...There is no turning back.

Well then, Welcome to the rabbit hole! ??

 

[aj2603]

Vass is excellent. Enjoy them...