Shoes – The $1500 Wardrobe Part II
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 
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)
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
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)
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.
I’m really enjoying these wardrobe entries. Looking forward to the suits and blazer entries
I was really hoping for a pair of brown loafers to be included in this entry. So I will open it to the comments, any deals out there on brown loafers under $125?
Those br wingtips are reaally nice, need to replace my brown lace-ups and those just might hit the mark.
Tip for the Magnanni buyers. The shoes run a 1/2 size big
Good tip. I’ve always found European shoes to run a .5 size big, even if the website displays the converted shoe size.
Awesome post as always- I’m a big fan of this blog. I love those suede oxfords… but I rock a 3e. I usually have to get Allen Edmunds… but they tend toward the conservative. great for dress shoes (they last forever with care00 hepls justify the 350). but for casual I wish there were more options for a wider foot– that did not cost 200- 500$$. Any suggestions? Would make for a great feature…
one shoe I just got that’re worth a look are the florsheim kenmoor’s, from their “imperial” line. It’s a goodyear welted sole, and the cognac in pebbled leather is just awesome. Longwings, so if you want a simpler captoe, these ain’t for you. Retail for $225 on florsheim’s website (http://www.florsheim.com/shop/style/17109.html), but can be found for ~$175 on ebay: http://clothing.shop.ebay.com/Mens-Shoes-/93427/i.html?rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=1000&_nkw=kenmoor&_catref=1&_dcat=93427&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282
they might not fit into your $1500 wardrobe, but they should be in your closet as your “upper casual”/”lower dress” browns.
I’d try Florsheim. They have a lot of 3E sizes on their website, and the code LINK20 always seems to take 20% off your order. Sebago has some nice loafer options in 3E,
check out Bass Gorhams – http://www.zappos.com/bass-gorham-brown – they’re running around $130 on Zappos right now, but if I remember correctly I got mine for just shy of $100. they’re basically just a slightly slimmed down version of the plain ol Bass Weejun penny loafers.
I was Jonesing for those suede oxfords for a Derby party a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, as a broke grad student at the end of the semester (i.e. end of my stipend), I couldn’t swing them. Here’s to hoping they stick around for a few months! Great post/series, Joe. Looking forward to the rest of them.
Just FYI, the BUY2 code applies to clearance items, too
I just bought the suede oxfords and these http://www.dsw.com/shoe/original+penguin+men%27s+wingtip+oxford?prodId=216942
And got the 20% discount as advertised.
I know how you feel… reading this site if I’m not careful I may have to fast the last week of May and pray my June stipend comes in early…
Just a heads up for those of us in the military, or a nice friend, with access to AAFES. You can pick up a pair of Allen Edmonds Park Avenue from their website for $200 with the code xi237vip; $50 off an order of $200 or more. The selection is very limited but the prices can’t be beat with that code. I just picked up a pair of Strands for $150.
Dern – any chance you could hook up some of us non-military people with those prices?
Dern – any chance you could hook up some of us non-military people with those prices?