So, I need a new pair of shoes. Preferably durable, because I tend to destroy them. I wear jeans. I'm pale and skinny. I'm not sure if that really affects shoe-buying. I think I want sneakers?
F***ing shoes, how do they work?
Posted Jul 18, 2010, 12:10 PM UTC
These are very sharp.
I think everyone and their mother has a pair of Sambas, but they're very difficult to keep looking fresh in suede.
So? Everyone has Chuck Taylors' as well.
Ah, but not of suede.
I have samba that I play soccer in regularly and they look great. A worn in look is cool.
every body and their brother has chucks these days. mix it up and get some tretorns.
http://www.zappos.com/mens-tretorn-shoes
Or you could be a huge baller and get some ricks.
your call man.
I think if you're going to go baller on a pair of sneakers, Common Projects are also a good bet. They're clean, classic, and wear-in really nicely. As for cheap sneakers, I've always been and will always be a fan of Vans authentics.
Shit man, I hadn't taken a good look at common project's sneaks lately. those are awesome! a man of good taste.
Yeah, their stuff keeps getting better and better, and their dress shoes and boots are amazing too.
Check out the El Rey from Puma. I just got them, and they are pretty comfortable.
Puma has a sale on right now. Check out the El Reys. Don't know if they're popular choices, but I don't see them around often.
I got myself a pair of El Rey africas.
Steve Madden has a limited (but fantastic) male shoe section. It varies with the season, but I got some great sneakers that lasted me years, until some jackass threw them on the roof of an apartment building. Also, everything that jascination said.
If you tend to destroy your shoes, then you need very robust leather boots. Wolverine and LL Bean make shoes the time honoured way - they cost a bit but will take tons of abuse. Take care of them and you'll still be wearing them 5 years from now.
Here's an article I wrote on shoes:
http://harrisonfjord.com/fourshoes/
Since we changed the layout of the site, the images don't really fit anymore, but you get the point.
If you're slim, you should be wearing pants that suit your frame - that is, pants that are tailored and slim fitting. This will lead to a slimmer shoe, perhaps similar to what I'm wearing in this photo
If you want sneakers, go with Chucks (aka Converse All Stars). For taller guys, it's best to choose one which doesn't have a chunky sole - they have ones with a really slim sole and that helps to prevent you looking like you're wearing big clompy shoes.
Chuck's are great because they're cheap, will last a long time and are quite versatile. Personally I prefer dress shoes, and especially prefer boots. Boots are best because they hug your foot really well and support your ankles, they look sick and they're really, really comfortable. They're also really durable.
If you buy a nice boot, it will most likely have a leather sole - these are found on most dress shoes, and are not particularly durable. Just take it to a cobbler and have him put on a rubber sole - this is far more durable, only costs about $15 and will make your shoes last forever (and you can always get the sole replaced once you wear out the rubber).
Hope that helps.
I am a big fan of your site!!
Cheers :)
What about larger guys?
I rock the converse lowtops, I have a leather pair and a purple pair.
After that I have some bland black leather slip into dress shoes; these are the ones I'd replace first.
I'm in marketing so I can wear whatever works - no bright yellow really..that's the limit!
Depends what you're after. As far as sneakers go, low tops are fine for just about anyone. For leather shoes, here are the rules:
Hope that helps.
So, if I can ask, why only round-toed?
Edit: Also, I think I was your Secret Santa partner. The Office, old money, a scorpion?
YES YOU WERE that was an absolutely awesome gift. I was moving around houses at the time and didnt have the internet so never got a chance to post pics. Thanks so much for that.
As for your question - round toe (or other 'classic' shoe shapes) have been around for years and aren't going anywhere. Square toe shoes are a modern thing and do not look good - maybe 5 years ago when they kinda came in to fashion, but even then they completely paled in comparison to their round toe counterparts.
An easy comparison to make is to imagine an old, well dressed Italian man, in a perfectly-fitted suit, pressed white shirt, cufflinks, the whole garb. A man like this, without a doubt, will be wearing round toe, classic shoes. Think Cary Grant, Fred Astaire or anyone from that era.
Now imagine a Eurotrashy guy, pumped up on roids, wearing white wash jeans and a tight-fitting long sleeve tee with "DOLCE AND GABBANA" emblazoned across the chest. He has a fake tan and greasy spiky hair. This is the kind of man who wears square toed shoes.
There's an article I wrote about them here: http://harrisonfjord.com/worst-shoes-in-the-world/
Very nice, thanks.