New Shoes Blues

I had a request today from LOM to do a bit on work/dress shoes. Although it seems fair, albeit seemingly interchangeable, the two are not synopsis. Your work shoes and your dress shoes should lead different lives. They should also be categorized differently by price and style. Everyone has their own opinion of the "dress shoe" and the "work shoe" and what they should look and cost, here's mine. Although your work shoes can be a dress shoe, it should not be your title dress shoe, for instance, I own many pair of Donald Pliner's and Romano Martegani's, these prices and design are not for the work environment, they are for dress occasions only, however, I also own many pair of Cole Haan's and Mezlan's, which are both really brilliant shoe lines but at really reasonable price points, which is where this post is going.

Cole Haan Calhoun

The Cole Haan Calhoun, pictured here, has been for me one of my personal favorite work/dress shoes on the market, I probably buy 2 pair per year, brown and black. (It is very important to have a brown and black pair of work/dress shoes). The beauty of the Calhoun is they will last all year and they are a great price, retailing at 155.00 at most outlets, I just found them on 6pm.com for less than $100.00. Also note, Cole Haan partnered with Nike, and almost all of there shoes have the Nike Air pockets in the heels, very very comfortable for being on your feet all day.

Mezlan Tyson II

The Mezlan Tyson II's are another personal favorite of mine, retailing slightly higher than the Cole Haans at 185.00 (on sale at 6pm.com for less) these will last a bit longer than the Cole Haan's because of the crimped upper on them. Where the discoloration is on the Mezlan is almost deerskin like, prohibiting the shoe to form creases from walking, allowing a longer more beautiful wear consistency.




Price is very important in buying a dress shoe, I don't recommend going cheap, but I also don't think it wise to spend over $200 per pair of shoes. Keep it simple, keep it luxurious, and make sure your belts match somewhat closely.  There are many other options for shoe companies but these are my two favorite work/dress shoe lines, they are both timeless designs. A few other companies I endorse are as follows:
The Cool People, Bostanian, Johnston & Murphy, Rockport, Calvin Klein, Bacco Bucci, Bruno Magli, Magnani & Allen Edmonds; but my two top choices are certainly anything by Mezlan or Cole Haan.

You can try on the Cole Haan's at any local Jos. A Bank, and Mezlan's can be found at a local Dillards.