Casual/Sharp Black Shoes

snorepez

I am looking for suggestions about a pair of Men's black shoes, to be worn after work in casual situations.
I think I may be looking for a boot, but I'm not sure.
These caught my eye:

I already have a pair of fancy black shoes to wear with a tie to work.
I suppose I am looking for a pair of shoes that are between college-sneakers and fancy dress shoes.
Hopefully that makes sense.

YodaTuna

I've been wearing a version of these to work(retail and office) for almost 10 years now:

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/mens/shoes/casual/PRD~108825/Skechers+Harvard+SlipResistant+Shoes.jsp

kaliyama

Where would you wear these, after work? A bar? A nicer loungey-nightclubby space?

I'd think getting "fancy" shoes that were comfortable work well - like eccos or something. But if you want to go somewhere like a bar or a nightclub, boots may or may not be appropriate. Those shoes seem pretty fance. I could give a better answer if you share where you're going a bit better. If you're looking for style, I love saddle shoes.

Jasconius

Doc Martens. They are godlike. Godlike. Best 80 bucks I've ever spent. Hella durable, very comfortable, and stylish.

You can find em on Zappos.

starmanbrand

Might not be your style, but I rock a pair of black leather Purcells.

Dog

Those shoes look terrible, and seeing that they are from UO it looks like you will be overpaying for an uncomfortable shoe that will fall apart in a few months because it is poorly crafted.

Go to a department store, find a brand/style of shoe you like, then go back home and go to Zappos and buy those shoes.

RUNN1NGMAN

How do you usually dress? Driving loafers are pretty awesome "more formal than sneakers" casual shoes. But they kind of only work if you dress like you could be in a J. Crew catalogue. Something like this.

snorepez

I would be wearing them to anywhere after work: bar, friend's place, grocery store, restaurant.
I'm slowly phasing out of the jeans in my wardrobe, but I still wear my blue jeans often. But even to go to the grocery store, friend's place, or an Applebee's I may wear a pair of nice linen -type black pants that I got at H&M, for example. After work I like to look casual, but still sharp.

I've always thought about Doc Martin's...
This zappos is just a discount online retailer, yea?

edit: so I'm looking at some Chuck taylors, and they all look very nice...any suggestions for those? I think they could look nice even with semi-dress pants. Also, where would I find these in-store, so I can try them and such? Thanks!

starmanbrand

Chuck Taylors are basically Jack Purcells, except Purcells are still unique. Both are made by converse (Not by urban outfitters if thats what hero was sayin). I swear it seems like everyone has a pair of chucks, so you wont be gettin any looks unless you get a bold style that probably wont go with semidress. These thin converse shoes, though, last a long time.

If there is a mall around you, I can almost promise you at least one store in there will sell them. Chucks have become the default, casual highschool/college kid shoe and they are sold everywhere. I picked my Jacks up at Nordstroms, and I think I recall seeing some chucks in there next to them.

Chanus

I've been wearing these for about five years now.

My original pair is still in pretty decent condition, though I bought a second pair recently because there was a deal.

I actually found both pairs at DSW in the discount rack (one five years ago, one last spring)... so got them for about $45. I imagine they're a bit pricey from Ecco.

Chanus

Hmm... apparently can't edit from jail...

They pretty much look sharp with anything other than shorts: jeans, khakis, cords, whatever.

Dalboz

I've been wearing Rockports for quite some time for professional/casual situations. They look nice and are comfortable enough to be on your feet for a full eight hour shift (back when I worked retail).

Tweaked_Bat_

The OP shoes are pretty nice, they are pretty trendy and in keeping with today's fashion, but they wouldn't really be an any-occasion black shoe. They are "sharp", as you seem to be after, but I wouldn't wear them anywhere but for going out.

They would work quite well with jeans, especially a skinny or slim-fit pair, and also with dress pants.

Can I ask why you're phasing out jeans? Jeans are a classic addition to any wardrobe and can look hella neat and classy if done right (ie: worn with nice shoes like you've linked in the OP).

Tweaked_Bat_

Also ugh those Rockports and Skechers remind me of the clunky school shoes I used to wear, avoid any shoe with a clunky rubber lining that buldges around the side if you're after a smart casual look that is actually from this decade, or even the last few years.

Stick to long, sleek, even pointed black shoes. With or without laces - with is more formal, without more laid back.

edit: These guys are only based in Australia as far as I know, but they have an excellent range of classy formal/smart casual shoes that are well-made and very, very sharp. Even if you can't get anything from them, the styles they stock can be found in most other places.

I bought a black pair of formal / smart cas shoes from them. They were pricey, but are Italian leather, and are incredibly comfortable, because they mold and shape themselves around your foot as your wear them in.

Dachshund

Grenson Stanleys

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/grenson/products/2137.php

Fuck black

Arminas

Man, no one wears brown shoes with black pants.

Dog

black pants in general should probably be avoided

snorepez

@tweaked: I still wear my trusty blue jeans pretty often, just not every day like I used to

I really like those Aquilas...I will keep them in my back pocket when I need new dress shoes. Thanks for the tip there.

I am leaning towards the Chuck Taylors. I'm a high school teacher, so I think they could work on Fridays. How "High school" are Chuck Taylors, though? I'm yet to see any of my students wearing them.

Chuck Taylors

And here is a variation of the Chucks, it seems...
Generic Surplus

Any + or - regarding these two options?

Tweaked_Bat_

Arminas wrote: »

Man, no one wears brown shoes with black pants.

Probably depends on what kind of brown we're talking here.

Tan or "camel" shoes work with black pants.

"Brown" brown, not so well.

Cyvros

I got this pair of black boots a couple of weeks ago. The upper's synthetic, but it's leather inside and ridiculously comfortable. I walk just about everywhere (with the occasional panicked run), and they're as comfy as my old runners.

So my vote's for a good pair of black boots.

Arminas

robothero wrote: »

black pants in general should probably be avoided

If only I could avoid it more. But I work in a business casual place. Granted, I tend to wear some tan-brown or gray pants.

snorepez

@cyvros: Is this the correct link? http://rivers.com.au/catalogdb/blowuppage.asp?SP=15382&PS=5

Dog

Arminas wrote: »

robothero wrote: »

black pants in general should probably be avoided

If only I could avoid it more. But I work in a business casual place. Granted, I tend to wear some tan-brown or gray pants.

Charcoal is your best friend.

Cyvros

snorepez wrote: »

@cyvros: Is this the correct link? http://rivers.com.au/catalogdb/blowuppage.asp?SP=15382&PS=5

That's the one. Is the link not working from my post (it seems to be for me)?

GrimmyTOA

Blundstones. They're a bit pricier but Oh My God are they comfortable. They also last forever -- more or less indefinitely if you replace the insole every few years.

Cyvros

Oh, man, I used to have Blundstones as my everyday shoes before my runners phase (and during my 'I can't remember how the hell to tie laces' phases). They're pretty awesome, but there's the slight downside of having to occasionally check if the ends of your pants have pulled up over the tabs, although that may depend on the length of your pants and how you walk.