What is the best all round smart casual men's footwear?

[Mikey77]

I can't take any more searching round for boots / shoes that are good for walking round in or going into a bar with. I have been on loads of websites this evening and the only boot I found was not in my size from the M&S website here - and I am not even sure that one is casual enough Apart from that I never see anything that looks versatile enough to go with chinos, jeans, and to look good smart or casual.

I find today's shoes / boots are too bulky in places particularly with the big heels, or sometimes too slimline, or they don't look casual enough to go with jeans. I sent back some Frank Wright shoes as they were too slimline. But I am in the market and am getting to the point where I will spend £100 out of sheer frustration. I have tried everything else, and just can't find decent all round boots for £60 or £70.

 

[discokermit]

no driving shoe in the poll?

edit: i suppose they come under "loafer". subtle differences though.

 

[Corax]

A reasonable pair of Chelsea boots are comfortable and go with everything. Well, not absolutely everything. They look a bit silly with a tracksuit. Or pyjamas. Most things though.

 

[TruXta]

Brogues. Chelseas can look a bit wanky depening on context, brogues OTOH go with nearly everything and everywhere. Why no fancy sneakers as option tho?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I don't own any of those.

 

[Wookey]

Clogs, you soft lad.

I bought my last pair of trad black, hand-made workmen's clogs from Oswaldtwistle for £80, and they are beautiful and comfy - admittedly, in a size 14 they can be mistaken for narrowboats if I'm stomping down the canal in them. And when I walk about in pubs with wooden floors I have been known to dislodge pictures and soft furnishings with the shockwaves, not to mention the jaw-dropping noise clogs make with a large man driving them.

Anyway, it's the future, trust me. We can be the brave ones, the ones who dare! Get your poor feet some handmade clogs, and when your friends laugh at you and point at your feet (oh, and they will!) just find some nearby cobbles, and dance a sparky jig to make them jealous! Or stomp on their toes until they cry. One of the two.

 

[TruXta]

You keep telling yourself that, mate.

 

[pogofish]

Something akin to a black Chelsea Boot has got me into quite a few places that are snuffy about footwear this last year - Which is fortunate because apart from my battered old pair of Italian Army Boots, this the only thing that I can wear on my rapidly deforming foot without being left in utter agony.

 

[Pickman's model]

you can't post a question which asks for 'the best' shoe, make the survey multiple choice, and expect it to be in any way a success.

 

[Jack Black]

I can't take any more searching round for boots / shoes that are good for walking round in or going into a bar with. I have been on loads of websites this evening and the only boot I found was not in my size from the M&S website here - and I am not even sure that one is casual enough Apart from that I never see anything that looks versatile enough to go with chinos, jeans, and to look good smart or casual.

I find today's shoes / boots are too bulky in places particularly with the big heels, or sometimes too slimline, or they don't look casual enough to go with jeans. I sent back some Frank Wright shoes as they were too slimline. But I am in the market and am getting to the point where I will spend £100 out of sheer frustration. I have tried everything else, and just can't find decent all round boots for £60 or £70.

ugh! what have we become?





Consumers, ladies and gentlemen, consumers.

Get yer Granny to buy you a pair of kickers for your birthday and think yourself lucky.

Your money to sense ratio is completely out of whack.

 

[Mikey77]

you can't post a question which asks for 'the best' shoe, make the survey multiple choice, and expect it to be in any way a success.

I can, and it is a roaring success.

 

[danski]

Bit like asking what is the tastiest food

 

[lizzieloo]

Pixie boots

 

[killer b]

desert boots, i reckon. if you nip into clarkes tomorrow, they might have some of the originals range left for under 50 quid (they do in the preston branch anyway). otherwise, a nice pair of brogues.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Cowboy boots

 

[Maurice Picarda]

Brogue boots.

 

[paolo]

Clogs, you soft lad.

I bought my last pair of trad black, hand-made workmen's clogs from Oswaldtwistle for £80, and they are beautiful and comfy - admittedly, in a size 14 they can be mistaken for narrowboats if I'm stomping down the canal in them. And when I walk about in pubs with wooden floors I have been known to dislodge pictures and soft furnishings with the shockwaves, not to mention the jaw-dropping noise clogs make with a large man driving them.

Anyway, it's the future, trust me. We can be the brave ones, the ones who dare! Get your poor feet some handmade clogs, and when your friends laugh at you and point at your feet (oh, and they will!) just find some nearby cobbles, and dance a sparky jig to make them jealous! Or stomp on their toes until they cry. One of the two.

When you're popping down the whippet shop, after a day in the mine, there's little else to be seen in, tbf.

 

[Wookey]

When you're popping down the whippet shop, after a day in the mine, there's little else to be seen in, tbf.

I sometimes wear a flat cap with mine, and walk around like my limbs are made of matchsticks.

 

[silverfish]

Battered old pair of loakes brogue boots in tan

 

[starfish]

I'd go with the Chelsea boot as it goes ok with jeans, chinos or a suit. I dont think the other options are as versatile.

 

[paolo]

I sometimes wear a flat cap with mine, and walk around like my limbs are made of matchsticks.

Also good to pop down the mill in - especially when there's trouble there.

 

[discokermit]

i want a pair of venetian gigolo shoes.

 

[DotCommunist]

clownshoes

 

[paolo]

i want a pair of venetian gigolo shoes.

pics pls

 

[moose]

Chelsea boots. Smart, casual, and slightly raffish.

Or clogs, obv.

 

[kittyP]

Chelseas.
Brogues are nice but you have to have a certain look to pull them off.

 

[danski]

Battered old pair of loakes brogue boots in tan

That'll be me right now!

 

[discokermit]

pics pls

can't find any. i've tried.

i remember seeing the small faces wearing shoes that were suede and sort of patchwork, each patch was a different bright colour. each shoe was four or five colours. they looked amazing.

years later i read the autobiography of ian mclagen, the organ player in the band. they had seen someone wearing them in venice, got the address of the feller who made them and went to get some. the bloke refused to sell them though as they were gigolo shoes and he only sold them to gigolos. they had to beg before he caved in.

 

[Corax]

Brogues. Chelseas can look a bit wanky depening on context, brogues OTOH go with nearly everything and everywhere.

I've always thought that the other way round tbh...

What context do chelsea boots look wanky in? I wear mine almost all the time, so I'm worried now!

 

[marty21]

Brogues. Chelseas can look a bit wanky depening on context, brogues OTOH go with nearly everything and everywhere. Why no fancy sneakers as option tho?

I like these.