Men: what level/quality of dress shoe? (fashion, brands, look)

[KevinE]

What tier?

1. uber low end: discount store synthetic sole dress shoe
2. low end: Cole Haan, Bostonian, Rockport, Florsheim, Kenneth Cole
3. mid level: Allen Edmonds, Bally, Ferragamo, Magli, TBNY, J&M
4. upper mid level: Santoni, C&J, Mantellassi, Martegani
5. upper end: Edward Green, Silvestro, Bestetti
6. high end: John Lobb, Dama Milano

[dazzleman]

I buy Bostonian. I never realized they were low end....

Honestly, I beat up my dress shoes with a lot of walking every day since I use public transportation, and I just refuse to spend a ton of money on those things. In any case, they look good enough to wear with a nice suit, so I don't see a problem.

I don't like dress shoes anyway. I much prefer running shoes and other casual type shoes.

[NJBest]

My dad was really into Wallstreet fashion so he got me into John Lobb, which is what I wear typically. On an odd note, I have a pair of Bostonians that I wear with some of my higher end suits for special occasions.

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by KevinE

What tier?

1. uber low end: discount store synthetic sole dress shoe
2. low end: Cole Haan, Bostonian, Rockport, Florsheim, Kenneth Cole
3. mid level: Allen Edmonds, Bally, Ferragamo, Magli, TBNY, J&M
4. upper mid level: Santoni, C&J, Mantellassi, Martegani
5. upper end: Edward Green, Silvestro, Bestetti
6. high end: John Lobb, Dama Milano

I have no idea what these shoe brands are since I don't waste money on fashion. All my shoes and boots are from "Redwing" of Redwing, Minn. the American boot/shoe maker.

[Joliefille]

I would say Johnston & Murphy and Cole Haan are about the same quality. Both primarily made in Mexico.

[filihok]

Uber low end. I wear them to the interview and throw them into the back of the closet.

What a ridiculous way to judge someone's ability.

[smokingGun]

i've got 3 pairs of Allen Edmonds, a Ferragamo & a Bruno Magli. I don't even know where in California you can buy the higher end designer shoes like Mantellassi or John Lobb. Are they sold at Neiman's? They probably cost in the 4 figures and for that price they better be custom-fit!!

[bjornb17]

I wear Skechers dress shoes, which would probably qualify as uber low end on your scale. Although I have to dress really nice for work, i have to visit a lot of projects and these shoes take the abuse really well. Plus if i ruin them, I'm not out that much money

[Bulldogdad]

Birkenstocks for play.

Redwings for work. I laugh at the investment bankers I show around the work site every month for their progress reports. Their pretty little shoes getting all messed up.

[TabulaRasa]

BF wears your "level one" for work. Your "level two" for weddings, etc. We don't go for all that other BS. We're Midwesterners.