Comfortable dress shoes

[OT Special]

Help. Under $100 please. I got a pair last week that are killing me and they're about to be returned, if possible.

 

[midtown]

Comfortable dress shoes
Under $100

Does not compute

 

[GhostOfTomJoad]

If you're lucky you might find some H.S. Trask shoes on sale for around that price, but retail they're usually in the low - mid hundreds.

H.S. Trask

Spend as much money as you can on a good pair of shoes & you'll never regret it.

 

[suttree]

You cannot get a good pair of dress shoes for under $100.00.

My advice is to buy a really, reall good dress shoe and plan on wearing it for 10+ years.

I have two pairs of Prada dress shoes that I bought new on Ebay for about $250.00 each. That was in 1999. Still going strong. It took 6 months to break them in, though, but now they are comfortable.

Of course if you can get away with it, the Cole Haan/Nike fusion shoes are really comfortable, but I don't think the qualify as dress shoes.

 

[tropheus]

I agree with the spend more than $100 and get shoes that are comfortable and will last.

I've got two pair of Johnston & Murphy dress shoes that I bought in 1997 and 2001. The shoes I bought in 2001 are so comfortable I wear them 3 or 4 times per week. They've been resoled and reconditioned but are near the end of their life expectancy. The shoes from 1997 are comfortable as well but near the end as well. They sell for $150-$180 if I remember correctly.

 

[boon]

i second johnston and murphy

also, there shouldn't be any breaking in period; if they don't feel great in the store they most likely will not feel good a few weeks thence

 

[Simon Templar]

I have a pair of $350 Aldens that I've had for at least 15 years. They look great, thanks to shoe trees and a good cobbler. Make the investment.

 

[tropheus]

If I would only use my shoe trees

 

[CaptainEd]

All can be had for under $300 - $350:

Gordon Rush
Bruno Magli
Salvatore Ferragamo
Santoni

We're talking reliable, comfortable transportation here not aesthetics. You will be very grateful in 1-2 years as they hold up not to mention in a few days after your feet don't hurt like hell.

 

[Skipper]

No love for Allen Edmonds? Saw a nice pair on their website but need some input before I invest.

 

[hobbs]

I recently got my second pair of Allen Edmonds and these are the most comfortable slip-ons I have ever had.

 

[suttree]

My Allen Edmonds didn't last worth a ****. Ferragamo is really comfortable, but it's hard to find a conservative shoe from them (damn italians). I disagree with the sentiment they should be comfortable immediately. My elephant lucchese boots took a year to break in, but now they are more comfortable than some running shoes I have owned, and are indestructible.

In point of fact, you might consider buying a pair of dress ropers from lucchese in lieu of dress shoes.

 

[horn4life]

You can find some Johnston and Murphy's occasionally at Burlington Coat factory for less than a bill.

 

[Agent007]

Ferragamo's are really comfortable and can be had on sale at Saks 5th for a good price. I bought a pair of $395 loafers for $105 this past summer...

 

[pied2]

ecco. I will not wear another dress shoe.

 

[Boozehound]

How freaking dressy are you looking to get here? I have a pair of Rockports that are REDICULOUSLY comfortable, and still look good. Not the uber-dress shoe that some others are touting, but it works for practically all of my every-day situations. And I picked them up for $75 or so...

 

[midtown]

Johnston & Murphys and Allen Edmonds are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn. I walk a lot in dress shoes. Probably 5 miles a day in them so I have to have comfortable shoes. 4 pair of Aldens and Id never buy anything else.

 

[tropheus]

In reply to:

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[tsw]

There is a Johnston & Murphy outlet store in San Marcus with several options for under a bill.

 

[BA93]

in the long run, expensive dress shoes are cheaper.

 

[DCLonghorn]

In reply to:

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[Orangeblood]

The Allen Edmonds wingtips I bought in 1994 are still going strong and have been reconditioned by AE once. They were so comfortable to me out of the box that I bought another black pair and a cordovan pair. They're going strong too.

For casual/dressy I buy from the Johnston & Murphy outlet in San Marcos. A LOT of nice shoes under $100 there, but you need to go there and look. They have different pairs in different sizes on clearance.

 

[Clever Username]

If you like Alden, you might also check out Baker or Churchs. All about the same $ and provide a little variety. I also have 2 pair of Brooks Brothers loafers that have lasted through 4 years in NYC and 2 years here.

I'm also a huge fan of Johnston&Murphy saddle bucks, but beyond that, I think their shoes are really boring.

 

[Orangeblood]

Actually, the 3 pair of J&M shoes that I have are all saddle bucks. Go figure. Use them for work ("business casual").

 

[HatDaddy]

J&M is the way to go IMO.
Dillard's regularly has them on sale for under $100.00.
I've bought 3 pair at Dillard's and all were under $100.00

 

[Simon Templar]

Yeah that's what I did when I first graduated. I had my pair of Brooks Brothers tassel loafers (still my favorites) and then went to Foleys or Dillards when they had a sale and bought 3-4 J&M (black and cordovan cap toes and black and cordovan wingtips). Done. Then you just take care of them.

 

[OT Special]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I'll check out the Johnston & Murphy outlet next time I'm in the area.