I probably own two dozen pairs of shoes and boots, but these are the ones I constantly wear and pack when I travel. They reflect my personal style. All my dress shoes are slip-ons. If I was recommending a traditional wardrobe, I would probably include a wingtip or cap-toed oxford. But if the Alden Tassel Moccasins were good enough for the ever-sartorial Cary Grant, they are more than adequate for me. Honestly, these are also the best-made shoes I have ever owned. I have a pair in black calfskin, brown calfskin and chocolate suede. Also, don't be fooled by the "moccasin" designation, these are very dressy. Yes, these can be paired with jeans, but I stick to the darker washes and it dresses up the whole look.
When I bought my first pair of Alden shoes they were about $225. Today, they are closer to $400. They are an investment. These shoes will last a lifetime. I bought my first pair 20 years ago. They have has several sets of heel plates and they were resoled once. NOTE: Find a good cobbler/shoe repair that will strip the shoe down to the mid-sole from toe to heel. Also, Alden offers a program to rebuild the shoe.
A little less dressy, but still slick enough to wear with a suit are my Bass Weejuns. These are the Logan in black, a flat face penny loafer. These are the classic. Bass has some "updated" versions that will probably not be available in a couple of years. These are the real deal. I have gone through a few pairs of these. It is not because they don't last. It is because they are such a great value that it only makes sense to have them resoled once. The MSRP is $99, but I have never paid more than $69 at the Bass Outlet store. I've had at least one pair of these in my closet (or on my feet) for more than 40 years. The Logans in black are at ease with a suit, slacks or jeans.
The last pair I am going to profile is the white leather Jack Purcell. This is one of the most classic sneakers available. Fewer and fewer people even know that Jack Purcell was a tennis star way back when .... Of course, most kids think that Chuck Taylors are just a Converse style and have no idea who he was either. But to that end, Chucks are ubiquitous, while Jack Purcells are extremely difficult to find in retail outlet in the Madison area. You will need to go online and order direct, especially for leather or styles other than white or navy canvas. On the Converse site, you can build a custom shoe to your exact specifications and have it shipped to you in four to six weeks. Here is the pair I've designed and hope to receive soon. All white, right down to the "smile" on the toe. Simple and clean. Great with jeans, shorts and can even be paired with a white shirt and sport coat (until they get dirty).
More about boots in a later post.
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