Dappered » footwear http://dappered.com Affordable Men's Style Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:47:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Banana Republic Drake Oxford http://dappered.com/2010/01/banana-republic-drake-oxford/ http://dappered.com/2010/01/banana-republic-drake-oxford/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:59:21 +0000 Joe http://dappered.com/?p=2972 Banana Republic Drake Oxford – $89.00

There seems to be some kind of unspoken rule that applies to both men’s dress shoes and neckties.  The simpler they are, the more expensive they must be.

The best neckties and best dress shoes have similar qualities.  They’re classic, not too fussy, and have clean lines.  Why is it so difficult to find either affordable shoes or ties that fulfill those few requests?

Banana Republic’s Winter Sale is winding down, and they’ve reduced the price of their classic Drake oxfords to just under $90.  The toe is thin but not razor sharp.  Clean leather and minimal stitching makes up the rest.  Leather soles too.  That’s really all you need in a pair of dress shoes.  Keep them shined and even in their simplicity they’ll generate comments of approval from the women in your life.

Banana Republic at ShopStyle
]]> http://dappered.com/2010/01/banana-republic-drake-oxford/feed/ 0 The Esquire Color Quotient – BLACK 15% http://dappered.com/2009/10/the-esquire-color-quotient-black-15/ http://dappered.com/2009/10/the-esquire-color-quotient-black-15/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:59:55 +0000 Joe http://dappered.com/?p=1411

The Esquire Color Quotient – BLACK 15%

Fratelli  Cap Toe Oxford  – $63.95

Black might not be the dominant color in your closet, but chances are it is the dominant color for most of your shoes and accessories.

Black shoes, belts, socks, watches, etc…  even if you work at a job that never sees neckties or pants made of something other than denim, you still most likely have a pair of black lace ups to wear to weddings and other important events.

Shoes are one of those items that you might want to splurge on.  If you make sure to shine them every once in awhile, and you put cedar shoe trees in when you’re not wearing them, a well made pair of shoes could last year a decade or more.

These aren’t a particularly well made pair of shoes, but, they’re affordable.  I’ve had a pair of Fratellis for going on three years now.  They look great.  And they cost me less than $75.00.

Buying a pair of oxfords is a test in moderation.  Don’t get square toes, but don’t get a super pointy pair either .  Make sure they have a good natural shine to them, but stay the hell away from patent leather.  And yeah some extra stitching can give your shoes a bit of extra character, but don’t buy a pair that looks like they were designed by Jackson Pollock’s cobbler cousin.

Keep em’ black, keep em’ simple, and keep em’ in good condition.

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