Johnston & Murphy Waverly Wingtip Oxford – $164.95
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:
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…
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I constantly write that I am looking for shoes that are sleek, low profile, and modern. Hehe Also that I find every other shoe just too clunky. Well I finally found a the shoe that is “Modern” looking for me and I like but it comes with a huge price tag but this is what I feel is what a shoe should feel and look like for me not because of price but because it’s about fit just as in clothing.
I wouldn’t wear an over-sized shirt now so likewise why wear an oversized shoe in regards to those chunky soles, chunky toes, and chunky leather. 🙂 These babies but I can’t find them in black.
I picked up a pair of Air Garret’s shortly after you reviewed them- Nordstrom briefly had them on sale for $99, which I just couldn’t pass up. I’ve only worn them a couple times, but they are pretty impressive, and I’ve gotten several compliments. The mahogany color is a bit darker than it appears in most online photos, but quite handsome. I have heard some grumblings about Cole Haan leather quality (crinkling at flex-points, etc.), so I’m hoping for the best, but I don’t think I could’ve done better for a C-Note.
What a coincidence, I just picked up the J&M Waverlys last week.
I must say, I disagree with Joe (a rare event!) that they come up short at the $160 price point. I wear a size 10.5 and have a muscular build but fairly skinny legs. Often, I feel more “modern” shoes exaggerate the size of my feet precisely because their subtle contours make them appear TOO long and sleek. I like my footwear more traditional. I also wanted a pair that I could wear with jeans, so I wanted some heft to them (but with modern construction so that they remain light in weight). The Waverlys are perfect in this regard.
My pair shares a similar silhouette with the Allen Edmond’s McAllister but at half the price ($325 was too far for me to go for the AEs). I also like that my pair of J&Ms have a slightly more sloped toe (less rounded) so they look more aggressive and masculine. I think they are they are perfect pair for me.
Also, unlike some other black wingtips which are criticized for not looking as rich or lustrous because the black leather looks cheap – these hand polished beauties have a real depth to them.
I would definitely try them on for yourself before dropping more on a more expensive pair, they represent much better in person!
That top-down pic looks like they are made for people with super wide paddle feet or something lol
shoebuy.com has these. Use coupon code EMLTHXGIVING10. This knocks 20% off. $132.00 shipped.
John, where were you 2 days when I bought these for $165! I may order them from that site and return them to J&M.