Looking for a pair of brogues...

**Tobus** · 10th April 10, 03:09 PM

I want to buy a decent pair of black brogue shoes. NOT ghillie brogues. Just plain brogues that are suitable for wearing with a kilt as well as with normal men's dress (like a suit).

When I try to search online, I find a bunch of junk and I get frustrated. I don't know who the reputable companies are or who the quality shoe makers are. Maybe you folks can help me.

What I'm looking for is black brogues with a leather sole. A fairly rounded toe, not a long goofy toe, and not pointed. I'd like to keep it under $200, which should be plenty for a good quality shoe. Part of my problem is that I wear a size 7 US shoe (size 6.5 UK, I think?), and a lot of shoe makers only make size 8 and up.

I'd prefer to buy from a company in the US to save shipping and hassle, but I'm open to buying from the UK as well, if it makes sense. I just don't know what companies to look at. I know I had seen some advice before, but it's been a while.

Your recommendations?

**davidlpope** · 10th April 10, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I want to buy a decent pair of black brogue shoes. NOT ghillie brogues. Just plain brogues that are suitable for wearing with a kilt as well as with normal men's dress (like a suit).

I don't know who the reputable companies are or who the quality shoe makers are. Maybe you folks can help me.

Good man.

In the US:

Alden
Allen Edmonds

In the UK:

Loake
Church's

Ebay often has good deals on these types of shoes. Do your research first and you should be able to spot a deal.

Cordially,

David

**piperdbh** · 10th April 10, 05:45 PM

If you're looking for the decorative holes, a pair of wingtips will do. If you want a pair of shoes that'll pull double duty (kilts and britches both), will "regular" dress shoes not work?

**davidlpope** · 10th April 10, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

If you're looking for the decorative holes, a pair of wingtips will do. If you want a pair of shoes that'll pull double duty (kilts and britches both), will "regular" dress shoes not work?

Exactly. "Wingtip" in "American English" = "Full Brogue" in "British English"

What Tobus is looking for is a pair of quality "Wingtips". Here's a link to several pair of Allen Edmonds that fit the bill:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...78/#post800457

Cordially,

David

**KFCarter** · 10th April 10, 06:04 PM

These Florsheims are a very solid "wingtip". Very sturdy and will require break-in but will stand up to lots of use. Not as comfortable off the bat as an Allen Edmonds shoe would likely be (also not usually as expensive), but I've found these Florsheims hold up better to the hard use I give shoes.

http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-kenm...ere-calf-black

**Tobus** · 11th April 10, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by KFCarter

These Florsheims are a very solid "wingtip". Very sturdy and will require break-in but will stand up to lots of use. Not as comfortable off the bat as an Allen Edmonds shoe would likely be (also not usually as expensive), but I've found these Florsheims hold up better to the hard use I give shoes.

http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-kenm...ere-calf-black

Hey, I missed your post before. I guess you posted it while I was typing my reply.

Anyway, the one you showed is more of the wingtip-blucher construction, which doesn't really suit my fancy. But I got to poking around on there and found this one: http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-lexi...p-black-legacy

I really like the looks of that one, and it seems to be everything I'm looking for. It does have some rubber on the sole, but it's sort of a unique 'band' across the wear point and the heel. I could live with that. And the price is pretty good at $99.95!

Can anyone tell me how the Florsheim shoes fall in terms of quality? It's obviously not a super high-end shoe like Allen Edmonds et al, but is it still fairly good quality? More like middle-of-the-road in quality? I want to make sure I'm not buying cheap junk. KFCarter, can you take a look at your Florsheim shoes and tell me where they're made?

**DougC** · 11th April 10, 07:56 AM

Johnston-Murphy has a good shoe--costs a little more than $99.00. But, they last forever--I walk across downtown San Antonio to and from the office everyday and the only complaint I have is the leather sole gets slippery in the rain. I'm pretty sure the city polishes the sidewalks!

**KFCarter** · 11th April 10, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Can anyone tell me how the Florsheim shoes fall in terms of quality? It's obviously not a super high-end shoe like Allen Edmonds et al, but is it still fairly good quality? More like middle-of-the-road in quality? I want to make sure I'm not buying cheap junk. KFCarter, can you take a look at your Florsheim shoes and tell me where they're made?

My pair of Kenmoors was made in India. Most of my time at work (in a theatre) is spent on my feet and I've pounded many fine shoes to death. Not so my Florsheim Kenmoors. Given the price difference, I don't know whether the Lexingtons you're looking at will be at that same standard.

btw, I can tell you that in my experience Zappos have been great to work with. In my experience, they've shipped quickly, are rarely out of stock and do accept returns.

**davidlpope** · 11th April 10, 11:03 AM

One thing to consider is the type of materials the shoe is actually made of and how well they will hold up. Many middle-grade dress shoes (I think most of the Florsheim shoes fall into this category) use a type of leather (corrected grain leather) that has a "plasticky" surface coating applied. Better shoes use either calf leather or even horse-hide cordovan, although cordovan is pretty pricey. These higher end shoes have all leather linings and better mid-sole construction. As a result, they hold up better over time and can be resoled and reconditioned, instead of having to buy new shoes every 2-3 years. HRH Prince Charles has a great pair of John Lobb (a very, very high end shoemaker) cap-toes that are ancient, though still proudly worn:

As the old adage goes, "I'm not wealthy enough to buy cheap stuff."

Cordially,

David

**Zardoz** · 11th April 10, 03:25 PM

Tobus, I was watching my wife shop for shoes at JC Penny yesterday, and they had Florsheim Lexington Wing-tips on sale for 80 bucks. I was looking at them because my standard dressy or formal shoes are some high-end Florsheim plain-toe oxfords I've owned for about 20 years, and still look good. Assuming they are made as well, I'll wholeheartedly recommend you look at Florsheim.