# Fashion Thread: Kicks, Booties, Footwerks **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [November 1, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895 "2003-11-01T16:13:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/61 "2011-03-05T10:17:38Z")
For the last 8 years I’ve been buying cheap $60-$100 dress shoes and have been replacing them every year when they start to fall apart, pretty much like clockwork. I’m tired of doing that so I’m looking to spend my money and invest in a real set of dress shoes/boots. The problem is, that there are so many expensive shoes out there and I want to distinguish from the “designer expensive” and the “quality expensive.” I’m looking to spend between $300 and $500 and I plan on wearing them for almost everything… work, going out, etc. I know makers like Bruno Magli and Allan Edmunds are relatively good shoes, but I’m looking for more suggestions and also somewhere to actually try them on. I hate buying footwear over the internet, but I will if I have to and the store has a good return policy. At the moment I found these that I like so far. ![http://l5.zassets.com/images/z/1/3/3/1339296-p-DETAILED.jpg](http://l5.zassets.com/images/z/1/3/3/1339296-p-DETAILED.jpg) [http://www.zappos.com/john-varvatos-rub-chelsea-dark-brown](http://www.zappos.com/john-varvatos-rub-chelsea-dark-brown) Any thoughts on John Varvatos? I like the way they look, but am worried they are more “designer expensive.” Also like these Bruno Magli’s ![http://l5.zassets.com/images/z/1/2/3/1235405-p-DETAILED.jpg](http://l5.zassets.com/images/z/1/2/3/1235405-p-DETAILED.jpg) [http://www.zappos.com/bruno-magli-runod-black#productReviews](http://www.zappos.com/bruno-magli-runod-black#productReviews) ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/62 "2011-03-05T11:21:25Z")
paging bing… ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/63 "2011-03-05T17:14:17Z")
Scarpe di Bianco has some NICE shit. You can get them though a guy I have bought stuff from in the past, his name is Matt Picone. He has a website, [www.omerosclothes.com](http://www.omerosclothes.com). I had him make me some Ermenegildo Zegna shirts along with some of his in house line of shirts. Anyways, they also carry some baller ass shoes as well. If you’re interested in something from him, PM me, I have his cell number. He is right here in Buffalo as well and this shit is made to order so it will fit your hooves. ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/64 "2011-03-05T18:48:15Z")
Jordan, you baller. ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/65 "2011-03-05T19:06:53Z")
So what your saying is you’d rather spend an average of $400 on one pair of shoes to wear for on average 4 years? I’d stick with the $60-$100 yearly cost. ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/66 "2011-03-05T19:10:13Z")
Well then make a thread about it. Otherwise how about you try contributing to what he is interested in. Sound good? ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/67 "2011-03-05T19:15:08Z")
I wish I could justify buying shoes this expensive but I know I’d just end up ruining a very nice pair of shoes. How is the longevity of these? ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/68 "2011-03-05T19:18:52Z")
I have found that the higher dollar better leather dress shoes i buy do infact last longer then the cheaper ones. and im pretty rough on my shoes. However i generally dont like spending more then couple hundo on shoes regardless of how nice. ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/69 "2011-03-05T19:28:02Z")
I have a pair of bruno magli shoes that I picked up for ~350 a few years ago. They are very comfortable and hopefully last me a long time. [http://www.zappos.com/bruno-magli-rammola-black-nappa](http://www.zappos.com/bruno-magli-rammola-black-nappa) ![http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/8/2/9/829248-p-DETAILED.jpg](http://a1.zassets.com/images/z/8/2/9/829248-p-DETAILED.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BOBBYGRV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BOBBYGRV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BOBBYGRV)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/70 "2011-03-05T20:35:32Z")
I have a few pairs of decent shoes. I rip them up on the pavement all day long. So much that they sometimes melt…I use the shoe cobbler in east aurora to get heel savers and the botttom’s redone. I do have a pair of florsheim’s that I bought. Nothing special, but they are comfortable for what I do. ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/71 "2011-03-05T20:43:42Z")
Allen Edmonds are great shoes. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/72 "2011-03-05T21:13:29Z")
I just bought 3 pairs of Allen Edmonds last week. They are considered an entry level high-end shoe from what i can tell. hand made in the US for the most part. I’m in exactly the same boat you are. for the last decade i’ve been buying a new pair of black shoes from Aldo for $80 and thinking it was okay… it’s not. Not for someone with a real job in an office, sales, or anything that interacts with successful people. Shoes are a tell tale sign of maturity and confidence. You should check out [www.styleforum.com](http://www.styleforum.com) and lurk a bit. My last 3 shoe buys we from Saks Fifth Ave. Their house brand shoes are all italian made and very sharp. However, they are still a fused or glued construction so they MSRP at $270 and if you catch a sale at the outlets you can find them for $140 - $160. To me that is bridging the gap between Aldo-spec and a true bench made shoe. Allen Edmonds are like $250 - $500 and usually are hand made or bench made and not fused or glued. Some brands you’ll want to check out. Church’s (invented the right and left shoe pairs… prior to them all shoes were identical) Sutor Mantelassi - $800+ fucking insane… hand made in Italy John Lobb - Owned by Hermes - start at $2k… so fucking Sheen Vass - $800+ Certo - $500+ All the brands like Prada, Gucci, D&G, etc. etc. outsource the production of most of their goods. Which means that Church’s may actually make the Gucci designed shoe… so going right to Church’s is not a bad idea. a few links: awesome on-line store… havent bought from these guys yet but will: [**Virtual Clothes Horse**](https://www.virtualclotheshorse.com/index.php?page=shop/browse&keyword=&offset=0&category_id=81083253317) [**churchs**](http://www.church-footwear.com/churchs.html) - read about the history… * * * you mind if we merge this into the footwear thread i started in the network section a few months ago? this is exactly where i wanted that thread to go. i’m hunting myself but would like to split the research duties with some fellow aspiring shoe-aficianados ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/73 "2011-03-06T08:28:09Z")
I bought a decent pair a couple of years ago (around $250 MSRP) and they’ve been worth it. Of course I also leave them in my office in the winter and throw on a pair of boots for trudging through the snow and salt. Would you guys still shy away from snow/salt/sludge or would better shoes stand up to that crap OK? ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 8:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/74 "2011-03-06T08:50:58Z")
I’m in the same boat with this… good thread. ---
**Author:** ![Beck](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/beck/32/28683_2.png) [@Beck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Beck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/75 "2011-03-06T09:13:16Z")
You can rebuild your Allen Edmunds for $100. Just send em in and they’ll make em look like new when the time comes. ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 9:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/76 "2011-03-06T09:20:06Z")
> [@cougarspeed](#): > > Well then make a thread about it. Otherwise how about you try contributing to what he is interested in. Sound good? yes sir. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 9:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/77 "2011-03-06T09:22:18Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > I bought a decent pair a couple of years ago (around $250 MSRP) and they’ve been worth it. Of course I also leave them in my office in the winter and throw on a pair of boots for trudging through the snow and salt. Would you guys still shy away from snow/salt/sludge or would better shoes stand up to that crap OK? get a pair of [**these**](http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/ProductDisplayView?storeId=11001&productId=101568&catalogId=10050&ddkey=http:OrderCalculate) I was wearing them this morning over some Johsnton Murphy boots while shovelling the driveway… When i started buying slightly better shoes i neglected to care for them and it cost me one pair of shoes already. the boots i was wearing the totes over are a decent pair of johnston and murphy italian made boots… not bench made and i got them super cheap at the outlet but they’re in rough shape now. With the last pair i picked up at Saks i’ve been using a horse hair brush whenever they get some snow or salt on them when i get home and then using cleaner and a good shoe creme once every two weeks or so as needed. They’ve been holding up very very well despite being used in tough weather. In essence, good care and maintenence can counter a lot of winter wear. I dont have a proper shoe valet yet, i’ll have to pick one up. I’m going to merge this into the shoe thread since there is some good links i put up in there that can be referenced. I’d like to see what you guys end up buying and your thoughts on your purchases before i go pick up a couple pairs this spring ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bing/32/7211_2.png) [@bing](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 10:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/78 "2011-03-06T10:47:06Z")
> [@bing](#): > > how to polish your shoes: > > [https://youtu.be/Io2KFwZ5B8w](https://youtu.be/Io2KFwZ5B8w) Here is a quoted step by step for this video. > [@dude on style forum"](#): > > Seen a lot of questions on how to polish shoes, so I thought I’d explain the procedure seen is this [infamous shoe shine video.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io2KFwZ5B8w) Please let me know if I made any mistakes. > > Step 1: Remove Shoe Laces (If they are leather laces, I believe you may leave them in to be nourished by the polish) > > Step 2: Use a horsehair brush to remove any superficial dust and dirt on the shoe > > Step 3: Apply a dab of leather cleaner/conditioner to cloth and apply to shoe (I use either Saphir’s Renomat for deep clean, or Renovateur for deep condition) > > Step 4: Use a small horsehair brush to apply cream polish to shoe (I use Saphir’s MDO Cream Pommadier) > > Step 5: Use a horsehair brush to even out cream polish and remove excess > > Step 6: Use a cloth to remove excess cream polish > > Step 7: Apply a few daps of water to cloth and apply matching COLOR wax polish to shoe (I use Saphir’s MDO Pate Luxe) > > Step 8: Reapply a dab of water to cloth and apply NEUTRAL wax polish to shoe (I use Saphir’s MDO Pate Luxe) > > Step 9: Apply a dab of water to horsehair brush and use to even out wax polish and remove excess. Reapply dabs of water as needed to build up glaze > > Step 10: Apply a dab of water to cloth and buff shoes to a nice glaze, reapply water until desired glaze is achieved > > Step 11: Re-lace shoe > > Step 12: Repeat for other shoe of the pair > > All Saphir products can be found here: [Valmour](http://www.valmour.fr/) > Glass Solvent Dispenser can be found here: [Micro-Tools](http://www.amazon.com/Dispenser-5oz-Glass-Solvent/dp/B002RG187O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1291355881&sr=8-1) incidentally, and because of this advice, i switched from shoe polish to shoe cream and it works 100x better. ---
**Author:** ![vinny13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@vinny13](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vinny13)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/79 "2011-03-06T11:18:43Z")
![http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9160/imag0004kt.jpg](http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9160/imag0004kt.jpg) dress shoes ---
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 11:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895/80 "2011-03-06T11:24:02Z")
Ah… here is the thread… thanks for fixing the link bing. > [@Carnut](#): > > Jordan, you baller. Sometimes… I do own a kia so don’t let the shoes fool ya. > [@NYstanger](#): > > So what your saying is you’d rather spend an average of $400 on one pair of shoes to wear for on average 4 years? > I’d stick with the $60-$100 yearly cost. Even if they did last for years I am at the $100 mark per year average and they are better made and more comfortable. However, a real pair of shoes can last 10-15 years depending on how well you take care of them. All you have to do is replace the soles and heels once in a while. > [@Fry](#): > > I bought a decent pair a couple of years ago (around $250 MSRP) and they’ve been worth it. Of course I also leave them in my office in the winter and throw on a pair of boots for trudging through the snow and salt. Would you guys still shy away from snow/salt/sludge or would better shoes stand up to that crap OK? Yeah do what bing said and grab a pair of “rubbers” (still makes me laugh). No matter how nice the shoe, the water/salt/dirt will ruin them fast. EDIT: These are hotttttt [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895.md?page=3) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fashion-thread-kicks-booties-footwerks/206895.md?page=5)