Most Versatile Shoe Color - Burgundy vs. Brown?

Manton · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

But isn't there a Rule somewhere that says you're wrong about this?
Impossible. Rule #1 is that I made up all the rules, hence I cannot be wrong about any of them.

DocHolliday · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

^^^ I admit, I love the look of warm, almost fiery, chestnut brown leather.
Thank you. This is exactly what I was clumsily trying to describe.

Originally Posted by Manton

I like burgundy only in shell; calf never. I do think brown is more versatile, and I prefer it with navy.
I agree about preferring burgundy in shell to calf. I almost think I like the shell version enough to make it worth wearing my pair. But then I don't, because I always reach for something else.

TheFoo · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Manton

Impossible. Rule #1 is that I made up all the rules, hence I cannot be wrong about any of them.

I thought I was your Rule-making apprentice. The unwritten Rule is that the apprentice of the Rulemaker shall supercede the authority of the Rulemaker should the Rulemaker demonstrate that he is so entirely and utterly wrong about something that he threatens to discredit the Rules as a whole.

I'm just stepping up.

bigbris1 · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

The problem with darker shades of brown is that they can sometimes have a greyish cast to them. Blue cloth almost always has some greyishness in it. The combination clashes in a subtle but tangible way. My ideal brown shoes to match with blue would be a warm, dark brown.

Burgundy shoes don't have this problem.

I've never seen this, tho I suspect this may be due to improper care, i.e. layer upon layer of wax polish. I have found the opposite to be true, especially when viewed in direct sunlight. My brown shoes come to life.

I have, however, witnessed this gray "casting" on a pair of burgundy shell loafers I owned. Kinda waxy.

Manton · Apr 23, 2009

The only brown shoes I have seen with a grayish cast are Lobbs in pewter museum. I thought they looked great.

TheFoo · Apr 23, 2009

I don't mean a literal layer of grey. I mean that the brown at issue is often a cooler, greyer brown, with less red in it. Maybe 'dull' is a better word for the effect.

bigbris1 · Apr 23, 2009

Foo, look at it this way: Which is more versatile on a suit, brown or burgundy buttons?

Aha!

Manton · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Foo, look at it this way: Which is more versatile on a suit, brown or burgundy buttons?

Aha!

pwned.

whiteslashasian · Apr 23, 2009

I actually have a pair of brown shoes that started off as an orangey brown. They have since developed into a lovely darker brown with a hint of orange when in the sunlight. I think they look stunning. They are the only pair of brown shoes I own which I prefer over my burgundy ones. I believe they are a rare exception to my preference of burgundy, however I also find a lot of higher end shoes with very nice browns...too bad they're out of my price range...(smalltimer)

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Foo, look at it this way: Which is more versatile on a suit, brown or burgundy buttons? Aha!
lol

Originally Posted by Manton

pwned.
HAHA! I feel like that's similar to hearing my dad say it...too funny.

TheFoo · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by bigbris1

Foo, look at it this way: Which is more versatile on a suit, brown or burgundy buttons?

Aha!

Originally Posted by Manton

pwned.

Ha! Buttons and shoes serve different visual purposes and with different magnitudes of effect. Moreover, the mind's eye doesn't like burgundy buttons because burgundy isn't a natural color for horn.

For the counter-pwn: the only purpose for the Rules to exist is to tell people that what they already think is wrong. Thus, that brown is leading in this poll is proof-positive that burgundy is the more versatile shoe color according to the Rules. Any other reading of the Rules would render them moot, and the Rules won't allow themselves to de-exist so easily.

Manton · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Moreover, the mind's eye doesn't like burgundy buttons because burgundy isn't a natural color for horn.
Exactly how I feel about burgundy calf.

ProfessorShak · Apr 23, 2009

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Ha! Buttons and shoes serve different visual purposes and with different magnitudes of effect. Moreover, the mind's eye doesn't like burgundy buttons because burgundy isn't a natural color for horn.

For the counter-pwn: the only purpose for the Rules to exist is to tell people that what they already think is wrong. Thus, that brown is leading in this poll is proof-positive that burgundy is the more versatile shoe color according to the Rules. Any other reading of the Rules would render them moot, and the Rules won't allow themselves to de-exist so easily.

At the time of this reading however, the preference is evenly split

with only a few choosing Niether

and not elaborating

So far it's been very interesting, I may just do a Cordovan vs. Calf Poll ....

cearain · Apr 23, 2009

For dress shoes:
I suppose, if you could only have *one* color shoe to go with everything, burgundy would be it. But I think if you have a pair of black shoes you are better off picking brown for a second color.

For casual:
I think its brown. I'm not familiar with many casual burgundy shoes. The burgundy shoes I have in mind really wouldn't go with any casual pants. But I'm sure someone can prove me wrong.

kcc · Apr 23, 2009

Subjective view of course, but burgundy's richness is incomparable.

TheFoo · Apr 23, 2009

Wow, I'm surprised at how close this poll is. At the moment, burgandy is actually ahead by one vote. Given the shoes we see posted most often on the forum, I expected that brown would be ahead by a gigantic margin.

Most Versatile Shoe Color - Burgundy vs. Brown?

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