Looking for new shoes/boots for business casual work.any suggestions?

My dress code at work is business casual. I usually wear kahkis and a polo or a button down, nothing formal. My last few pairs of shoes have been cheap ones from DSW or Aldo and I am sick of them falling apart in 6 months. I would like to spend between $100-150, but could probably pull $200 if necessary. I prefer black as it goes with everything and would like something I could wear on the weekends with jeans too. I prefer a slip on shoe without laces, but not a must. I do not like penny loafers. I was also considering a chukka boot or ankle boot.

I have been looking at brands like Johnston&Murphy, Ecco and Cole Haan. I have had a couple pairs of Ecco shoes in the past. I worked for a shoe store when I was in college and they allowed you to buy 2 pairs of shoes per year at a huge discount, so I got a $250 pair of boots for like $75. I had good success with the boots, but most of their shoes are not very stylish.

Here are a few I have been looking at, so you can see what kind of styles I like. If you can think of any other brands I should be looking at, let me know

These are probably the ones I am leaning to the most because of the price, not sure I like all the stitching on them though
http://www.zappos.com/johnston-murphy-shuler-bike-black-tumbled-grain

These two are kind of plain, but would probably be effective
http://www.zappos.com/florsheim-cortland-black-buffalo-leather
http://www.zappos.com/ecco-seattle-slip-on-black-leather

These are at the top of my budget and I think they might be a little "Metro" for my style, but I like the finish on the leather
http://www.zappos.com/ecco-birmingham-chelsea-boot-black

These might be on the casual side, but I could probably still pull it off
http://www.zappos.com/born-hemlock-black

These are pretty cool too, but more than I really want to spend, but I like the finish on the leather.
http://www.zappos.com/frye-james-chelsea-black-antique-pull-up

If you are lucky, someone will throw a link in here to an Allen Edmonds outlet. I'm not in the USA, but if I were, I would probably buy new shoes each month at those prices.

Hey Ryan, you are lucky being in WI. The Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank is there. I would Google the address and make a trip. You can get some for $200 or less. Especially when they have sales you can get them for around $150 but if you are in a rush probably around $200. They are made in USA as well.

Never been there myself, but here is the info:

ALLEN EDMONDS OUTLET - FACTORY SHOE BANK
201 East Seven Hills Road
Port Washington,Wisconsin, 53074-2504
262-284-7158
[email protected]

HOURS :
Monday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM

I may have to check it out.

cluelessdude said:

Hey Ryan, you are lucky being in WI. The Allen Edmonds Shoe Bank is there. I would Google the address and make a trip. You can get some for $200 or less. Especially when they have sales you can get them for around $150 but if you are in a rush probably around $200. They are made in USA as well.

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lowjax said:

Never been there myself, but here is the info:

ALLEN EDMONDS OUTLET - FACTORY SHOE BANK
201 East Seven Hills Road
Port Washington,Wisconsin, 53074-2504
262-284-7158
[email protected]

HOURS :
Monday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Thursday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM

I may have to check it out.

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Thanks Gentlemen- that was what I was hoping for.

That is only about 90 miles from where I live. Might have to go check them out.

Here are just some of the models that might suit your needs:

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1951_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF232_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1208_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF2201_1_40000000001_-1

The last one in chili grain is great. The grain makes it more of a casual shoe which fits your needs. I've tried it on in store and they are nice looking shoes indeed.

Dont worry about the prices lol. The Shoe Bank has the same models at a significant discount with just very minor inaccuracies which most people cannot notice. I have bought several pairs and cannot detect what is wrong with them. Especially since you can go in person, this is not a problem at all. These are regular prices on the website, shoe bank has ~$50 less regular price. When AE's go on sale then both places they are even more less. Also quite a few of the models come in both leather sole and also 'tap sole' which is a combo of rubber and leather.

Mickey7 said:

I'm evidently the odd man out here but I would never wear black (or wing-tips) with khaki chino's.

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I agree.


A nice pair of dark tan chukkas would be great.

I would get brown shoes, I have two pairs of grey chinos and two pairs of black pants. I have only one pair of khaki colored pants.

My work dress code is similar to yours. I'm also almost always in khakis. In recently picked up these AE shoes...they are on sale now too!

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF6031_1_40000000001_-1

Cochese2323 said:

That is only about 90 miles from where I live. I definitely have to go check them out.

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ftfy

Mickey7 said:

I'm evidently the odd man out here but I would never wear black (or wing-tips) with khaki chino's.

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i'm wearing those right now. love everything except the sole.
i'll be contacting the AE shoebank soon unfortunately (for my wallet).
need to go find a local place to get fitted first.

Add Clarks to your list. Mephisto fits your criteria as well, if you can stretch the budget a bit. Also, I'm certain there is a DSW closer to you than 90 miles and you won't need to sell a kidney to afford their shoes.

Red Wing Beckman boots - killer quality.

My choice.
http://www.zappos.com/blundstone-bl063-black
I have the 510 and love them.
Johnny