Formal Buckle Shoes

[CMcG]

<snip> I would be concerned that this shoe will not take a glossy shine because the leather seems to have a soft finish. That being the case, it really won't look it's best in a formal setting. It is also just a trifle "costumey" to my eye, although I am sure others will be attracted to its neo-Georgian style, just as some people are attracted to neo-Georgian architecture.

What is it about those shoes that looks costumey as compared to the buckle brogues?

Would these ones from MacKenzie Frain be any better?

<snip> Patent leather evening pumps with silk bows are another option; for a more distinctive look the silk bows can be swapped for cut steel buckles, as with the dress brogues.

What I'm thinking is to try and find formal slip on shoes of some sort at my local thrift or second hand shops. I'll then jazz them up with some buckles from eBay. This means I'm somewhat at the mercy of whatever is available...

To this end, what if I could find something like the following. Note I'm not saying these exactly... just something similar.






Finding these sort of shoes would probably be more of a stretch...