Proper leather shoes

same, which is a shame as they look great - all the other alternatives seem to look a bit 'fashion' imo... and now they want £110 a pair (I know there are sales on but RRP from Clarks) I'd rather spend a just little more and get shoes that can be rebuilt...

I've bought Church's, Grenson's and Red Wings second hand from eBay. I think the most I paid is £80 odd for Church's brogues in decent condition, which considering they are now £750 new seems more than fair.

Red Wings chukkas could be a good alternative to desert boots - I really like mine but they need to be re-soled.

Edit - and I now have far too many pairs of shoes!

Red Wing's and a suit is bold though...

yes, agreed - could possibly work with a crumpled linen number

My old bandmate has been buying his Loake Chelsea boots in there for decades, I'm tempted to wait til I'm back in London and grab a pair instead of getting the RM Williams... What are the prices in there like now?

That's about 4 minutes away from work so I'll have a look. Thanks!

These look pretty good for a made in uk desert boot. Great leather choices and reasonable prices (I’ve only seen em online though) https://jadd.shoes/

https://www.discountshoesales.com/collections/loake-shoes/products/loake-290b
https://www.discountshoesales.com/collections/loake-shoes/products/loake-chatsworth-1

What style shoes do you like? What size and fit are you?

I have always been impressed with Meermin for vfm
TK Maxx is always worth a look
Sample sales/ factory outlets are good bets too - Northampton shoe makers all have outlets

Also get shoe trees, dont wear brand new shoes straight away (wear them at home for a week), dry/clean/polish appropriately and if sole gets worn take it to a decent cobblers before they have holes in.

Be the coolest teacher by sporting some paraboots...

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How about Duckfeet Sjælland?
Maybe too Free Christiania for some, but I’m beginning to warm to mine.

How did I not suggest these!

literally live in mine for 6m of the year

I think for smart shoes my taste is quite plain - I alternate between blue and grey suits so I assumed black would be best but I would take other suggestions. I noticed a colleague was wearing oxblood shoes today and they looked pretty smart actually. I'm not sure I'd ever looked at any colleagues' shoes before today - they're not something I give much thought to to be honest, and I'd be interested to know what I'd get from a £100+ pair of Loakes that I wouldn't from a £90 pair of Clarkes - I imagine better quality and better pay and working conditions for whoever made them?

I don't like patterns or perforations. I like the look of the Loake Archway but not the price.

TK Maxx is a good shout.

Not my style.

Though I definitely now want some Red Wing boots after having a look round this thread. For pleasure not work though.

They are an acquired taste!
I got my first pair of Redwings nearly 30 years ago and still love them ( I have about 6 pairs on the go at the moment)

Super comfortable and the leather is just lovely

I think black seems sensible - you can also wear with jeans, chinos, trousers. Personally I’d go for a loafer or a blucher as I think these are easier to be a one stop shop shoe.

Price = better quality materials, the construction process, where, finishing. But there’s a point at which can you tell the difference/care?

Doesn’t blue and gray suits call for brown shoes? Bit less formal and works better with jeans than black shoes?

Great price, shame they won't post to the colonies...

There's a Post Office between the shoe shop and my work, if you want me to drop some in for you?

I'm not sure if the custom charges etc might make it too expensive in the end though.

What size are you? I have a pair of oxblood Loakes that are a tiny bit too narrow for me in the toe. I'm 9.5 to 10 UK.

I'm 11.5 usually, thanks though.

Think that really depends on personal taste/style.

Listing a pair of unworn Alden indy boots on ebay this weekend. Size 10.5 (Im pretty solidly a UK11 and these fit me). Posting here in case anyone fancies them at a friendly price.