Building a wardrobe is almost always a process and not a one weekend affair.   But what if you had to blow up your closet and start from almost scratch?  Sure you’d keep a few things.  Maybe have your tailor make a few tweaks, and keep a favorite pair of beat up boots.  But what about the rest?  Suppose you were also on a strict budget of $1500.

Over the next five weeks we’ll explore some of the best options for remaking a budget friendly guy’s wardrobe one section at a time.  A lot of these will be basics and necessities (but not underwear or socks).  It probably won’t be easy, some corners will be cut, but the total budget is set at a strict $1500.  Let’s see how far we can stretch it.
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The Black Laceup:  Magnanni Federico Oxford – $199.00

Pretty. In that sharp manly kinda way.

Going big out of the gates and we’re going to pay for it later.  But look at the lines on these things.  Made in Spain, not too elongated but far from stumpy… one of those “plain” shoes that should really stand out.  A true oxford with closed lacing.  Free two-day shipping from Endless.

The Brown Laceup: Banana Republic San Marcos Wingtip – $110 w/ BRSUMMER ($140)

Might have to baby these.

NOTE: The BRSUMMER code is good for $30 off $100 with a GAP/BR/ON Card.  If you don’t have one of those and you’re interested… wait on these till they run a 25-30% off sale.

And this is where we’re paying for it.  Quality is sketchy and reviews are all over the map.  But again, we’re trying to stick to a $1500 limit.  It’s one of the few affordable yet still interesting looking warm brown shoes out there.  Ships free, andn keep your receipt.  Also worth a look:  This new Italian Made dress oxford for $140.  And speaking of…

The Brown Suede: Mike Konos Suede Oxford – $99.94

The Swiss Army Knife of shoes

They’re that good.  Suede lace-ups are favored by many for being the right option inbetween sneakers & dress shoes.  But unlike most suede bucks, the toe on these made in Italy oxfords isn’t clunky.  At all.  Socks, sockless, jeans, chinos, whatever, they work with everything.  A personal favorite.    Full review with how to wear em’ here.

UPDATE: If you’re seriously looking to pick up not one but two pairs of shoes, DSW is running a one-day 20% off 2-pairs with the code BUY2.  So these suedes, plus their cousin dress oxford, come out to $191 total.

The Almost White Sneaker:  PF Flyers Center Lo in Natural Canvas – $44.99 (reg. $45)

Wear em' year round with almost anything.

Because you’ll need at least one pair of light sneakers and the PF Flyer center lo can go toe-to-toe with the J. Purcell on comfort (The P.F. does stand for Posture Foundation).  It also usually costs less and has that extra texture at the toe bumper.  Absolutely wearable in cooler weather.  White is good, but the natural color let’s them blend in a bit.

TOTAL COST: $453.93
CASH REMAINING: $853.99

Upcoming Categories: Suits & Blazers 5/25, Pants – 6/1, The Rest – 6/8
For Previous $1500 Wardrobe Selections, click here.

PLUS free two day shipping and free returns

There’s a serious drought of affordable, simple, and sleek looking dress shoes going on.  Anything under $150 and you’re stuck with odd details or a bulky silhouette.  If your new shoes budget is around $100, then you’re almost certainly screwed.

Which is why the Kenneth Cole Regal King lace-up is worth taking a good serious look at.  Today.

Endless is currently running a save 25% on all orders over $100, and save 30% on all orders over $200.  The regular price of the Regal King is $147.95, and that had already been marked down to just over $100.  Meaning, you get to maximize the lower threshold savings.

Bottom line:  These are now priced through Monday 12/20 at Steve Madden levels.  Under $80 with free two day shipping.  That’s unreal.  Almost too good to be true.  And sometimes the pics on the web just don’t match up with what comes out of the box.  So I ordered a pair.  Shipping from Endless is fast and free both ways, so I’d give em’ a look, take some pics, then ship them back on their dime when I got done.  Here’s what I found…

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The Pros

• The toe is totally fine.  The edges of the chisel round out & don’t get lopped off at 90 degrees.
• The cap toe is subtle in person.  Nice detail that sets these apart from plain lace-ups.
• Slim Silhouette, but not tight on moderately wide feet.
• Strangely soft leather, especially for where they’re made.
• The laces.  They actually grip well.
• Great out of the box shine.
• Comfortable right from the get go.  Soft on the bottoms of your feet.

The Cons

• Synthetic, not leather sole.
• Made in China.
• Too modern for the conservative dresser.
• Slight bump on the outer eyelet piece on the left shoe (see top pic)

The Verdict

I honestly thought the toe had a real chance to look terrible when I opened up the box (you never can tell for sure with online pics).  I was completely wrong.  It looks great.  The toe on the Regal King is barely different than the perfectly rounded & slim toe of my Gordon Rush lace ups (below, and for today just $157.50 instead of $225 thanks to the Endless discount).  I also wasn’t expecting them to feel as good as they do on your feet or in your hands.  The leather is more than decent.  It’s soft, it gives a little, and doesn’t feel synthetic and stiff like other shoes in this price range.

Will serious shoe aficionados be impressed?  No.  But for under $80 with free two day shipping, these are nothing short of an incredible bargain.  Really.  Remember how I was going to return mine?  I didn’t.

The Endless 25% off $100 sale which drops these to $77.70 shipped ends on 12/20.

Toe shape comparison. From Left: Gordon Rush Blucher, Timberland 6-inch city zip, Kenneth Cole Regal King

Click here for the previous candidate, the Cole Haan Air Garrett

Sleek looking in silhouette and not too clunky in the toe.  That’s all it takes to qualify for this ongoing search for the perfect modern wingtip.  Since affordability is a focus here, price has to be taken into consideration as well.

For well over $150, a shoe better be almost perfect.  And the J&M Murphy comes up short.  Literally in the toe, while being a little long on the price tag.  Here’s the breakdown after an in-person fitting:

Not as modern from the top.

The Pros

• Closed lacing
• Solid feeling construction.  Not too weighty, but solid.
• Easy to find at multiple retailers (Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Zappos)
• Leather sole
• Toebox can accommodate wider feet
• Goodyear welt construction

The Cons

• That 3/4 shot is not a true representation of the toe.  See right instead ->
• Toe is a more rounded Allen Edmonds style.  Needs a little more length in the toe for the slightly elongated look of an A. Testoni.
• Downright expensive at $165.  Ouch.

The Verdict

Damn.  Seeing it online and in person is just flat out a different story.  When you try the shoes on, stand up, and look down at your feet from above… they’re just about half an inch too short in the toe to be truly considered modern.  They’re ALMOST there.  But not quite.  A smart play for a more conservative environment, but if not?  Save yourself $30 and get the Cole Haan Garretts.
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Got a comment or want to share your experience with Johnston & Murphy?  Leave it below.
Here’s the slightly more modern looking Cole Haan Garrett.  Available for $135…

Ever since the DKNY Max Cap Toe Oxford bit the dust, there’s really been no affordable options if you wanted a slight cap toe on a sleek modern lace-up silhouette.

Well… long live the sale on the Regal King.

The Kenneth Cole Regal King has an incredibly subtle cap toe (just like the DKNY Max Cap), an updated shape, and although the chisel toe won’t satisfy the rounded-toe purists, it’s far from squared off.  Frankly, I kinda like it.

On sale for a moderate investment of $120.  Usually out of range for many at $150.

All sizes available for now.
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Usually $150, now $120.

]]> http://dappered.com/2010/09/kenneth-cole-regal-king-20-off-sale/feed/ 5 http://dappered.com/2010/07/shoes-every-man-should-own/ http://dappered.com/2010/07/shoes-every-man-should-own/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:01:23 +0000 Joe http://dappered.com/?p=8127 The Shoe Lineup – Nine Pairs every man should own.

Originally Published 3/6/2010

Pitchers and Catchers have reported to their spring training homes, and before you can say: “Bud Selig” it’ll be time for Baseball once again.  Nine men appear on a lineup card.  Nine men in the field of play.  Here’s the nine shoes you’ll want to collect and have in your own personal style dugout for maximum versatility, set just as if this were a batting order.

1. Classic American Sneakers – PF Flyers Grounder Lo – $49.95

Just like a lead off batter, you want something light, dependable, and gets the job done without being overpowering.  Look hard at Converse Jack Purcells, PF Flyer Lo, or the Italian Superga.

2. Motorcycle Boots | Kenneth Cole Play 2 Win – $99.99

You don’t need to actually ride a motorcycle to enjoy these things.  Tall enough to keep the street crap off you, casual enough to be worn to whatever dive bar you frequent, and good looking enough to impress whatever women are there once you arrive.  Most of them are obscenely comfortable too, and only get better with age.

3. Black Dress Boots | Florsheim Men’s Colfax – $89.95

These see a lot of action.  And you need them to be able to work well in any number of situations.  Casual, dress, somewhere in between.  Get a pair that look just as good with a pair of lighter colored chinos, blazer, and tie, as they do with a pair of jeans and an un-tucked well fitting casual button up.

4. Black Laceups | Aldo Hepworth – $100.00

Your go-to.  The clean-up.  When you need to knock it out of the park.  Avoid Square toes.  Stick with the classics or maybe a touch modern, like these black laceups from Aldo.  And take care of them like they’re the foundation of your lineup.  Because they are.

5. Brown Dress Boots | Kenneth Cole Long Time-A-Bow – $117.00

You won’t lean on them nearly as much as your black dress boots, but when you gotta have them deliver, you want to have a good set at the ready.  Good with dark jeans and chino blazers or khaki pants.  They can stand up to a days worth of work and are especially nice when you gotta look nice and the weather is awful.  Don’t like the elastic sides of these Kenneth Cole’s?  Try another less tall version from the Kenneth Cole brand, the Foot Note Dress Boot for about $10 less.

6. Brown Laceups | ASOS Clean Point – $51.73

You want to depend on your black lace ups.  Your black laceups will go with your dark suits, and sometimes your brown shoes won’t perform as well with those.  But you NEED brown lace ups.  Great to pair with Navy suits for a very British look.  And that Lighter colored pair of pants or Chino Suit you have for the summer?  That’s what these were made for.  Shoes that are just like your cleanup heavy hitters, only… not as irreplaceable.

7. Waterproof Hiking Boots | ASOLO FSN 95 Gore Tex – $124.95

Getting down to the specialty guys.  It’s a big world out there.  Get out and see some of it.  GoreTex will breathe in the warmer weather and keep the water out when there’s snow on the ground.  A pair (or two) of wool socks will keep you warm enough in the winter that they can be an all season bad weather shoe.  Try wearing a pair of Sorels in July and you’ll see why splurging on solid Gore-Tex lined hiking boots is a smart decision.

8. Monk Strap | Aston Grey Reed Monk Strap – $99.99

Your Dad wore penny loafers or those loafers with the goofy tassels on them.  Monk straps are much more dressed up.  Not for beginners.  Takes some serious style chutzpah to pull them off.  Tough to find under $150 let alone $100 making this pair from Aston Grey Reed a real steal.  Want a double strap?  Try These from Gant.  Not cheap at $150.00, but very cool.

9. Running Shoes | Brooks Adrenaline | $74.95

Like most pitchers, great at one thing, not so great at others.  Your runners should be kept to the gym and the trail.  They shouldn’t function as casual shoes.  And also like pitchers, don’t use your running shoes every day.  The cushioning of your running shoes need time to rebound from the pounding.  If you’re a running freak and have to get your jog in every day, buy two pair and rotate.  The Brooks Adrenaline Running Shoe usually retails over $100, and even then it’s a bargain.  Bar none the BEST running shoe on the market for those of us who pound the pavement two to three times a week.  Durable as all hell, well cushioned, and fast.

So we’d miss any?  What shoes would you drop from the lineup, and which pair would you send in to pinch hit?  Leave those comments below.

Finding a stand out pair of shoes for under $100 can be a challenge.  Aside from Steve Madden, there’s not a designer that consistently produces slick looking shoes for under three figures.  And Mr. Madden’s designs can be a little out there, plus the construction quality can leave a bit to be desired for.

It’s all about catching sales at the right time (early), when there’s still plenty of size options left.  Here’s three pairs from three different well known designers, in plenty of sizes,  that should satisfy any of your $100 and under footwear cravings.
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Calvin Klein Zeke Oxford – $87.36

The definition of black lace up. Under $90

Simple shoes are often the best.  A lot of guys don’t want any extra stitching, weirdly shaped toes, or anything that would distract from their overall minimalist look.  The Calvin Klein Zeke Oxford is as plain yet cool as it gets.
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Kenneth Cole Cast-A-Way Loafer – $88.99

Not your average driver. Just different enough. Brown or Black.

Retailing for almost $130, Kenneth Cole gets unique with a different style of driver.  The strap is buckled with a couple of D-rings, making it a detail that stands out but in a good clean way.
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Ben Sherman Premier Boot – $99.99

Weird... but... kinda cool all the same.

Like the unnatural and impossible lovechild of a Liger and a Mule, the Ben Sherman Premier Boot combines styling from combat boots and wingtips, then adds heavy heel and toe burnishing on top of that.  Better proportioned than a similar boot/shoe/thing from ASOS, it’s more than 50% off at just under $100

So if you had to pick a pair, which one would you go with?