Steve Madden Bedlamm Brown – $79.95 | Zacharyy Black – $89.95
Sure Steve Madden was once sentenced to 41 months in prison for money laundering and securities fraud, and he’s been accused of producing blatant knock-offs of his more expensive competition… but the guy knows how to make an inexpensive pair of shoes.
The Bedlamm Brown and Zacharyy Black dress shoes are precisely what you want on your feet when wearing a suit. Nothing crazy, nice and sleek, Italian in silhouette and American in detail or lack thereof. The black pair have a subtle cap toe and the brown pair are as plain as can be.
One note on the black pair, they’ve got a “chisel” toe, meaning it’s not totally rounded, but I certainly wouldn’t consider them squared off. I’d wear them. Keep them shined and when women check out your footwear they’ll be impressed.
Steven Madden shoes don’t have a reputation of being the highest quality, but I’ve never had any issue with them. My pair of brown Steve Madden motorcycle boots have lasted three years without any trouble. Now, there is a major school of thought that says spending a couple hundred bucks on an extremely well made pair of shoes is a worthy investment. Spend $250 on one pair of quality black lace ups, and you won’t have to spend $400 on four pairs of black dress shoes you’d otherwise get over the next decade.
But that’s just not possible for a lot of guys. These are possible for almost anyone.
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These are an ok example of run of the mill oxfords.
I do have to say that I did buy an eye wateringly price pair of Johnston and Murphys, and Cole Haans as my primary dress shoes about 5 years back. They have held up very well. The Cole Haans are due for a resoling, and refurbishing, and will likely last me another 5 years.
I did switch over from buying cheaper shoes, that would wear out every 2 years or so, and haven’t looked back. Sometimes you do get what you pay for…..
I bought a couple of Eccos about 7 years ago and they have held up far better than any of the lesser brands. They are not the most stylish shoes, but they are solid and still look new after all these years. In that course of time I have worn through at least 3 other similar shoes, that I bought as alternates.