The Splurge: To Boot New York “Aaron” Medallion Cap Toe Oxford – $199.90
($295)
$200 is far from a bargain. It’s downright out of reach for many. But there’s something to be said for saving up and splurging on a quality pair of shoes.
You’d just wish a less expensive brand like Calvin Klein or Kenneth Cole could make a more wallet friendly version with this kind of toe shape and details. Of course the leather wouldn’t be as nice and the soles would be glued, but couldn’t something be replicated for the guys who only wear dress shoes on special occasions?
The pictures (like this one and this one) don’t do these things justice. Not here and not on the Nordstrom site. They actually seem to change color in different light. In bright sunshine they lean tan and the burnishing jumps. In a regularly lit indoor situation they can look almost milk chocolate brown.
The toe is nothing short of perfect. It’s slightly elongated and comes to a rounded point. The shape won’t make you look like an elf, yet at the same time they’re far, far from stumpy. The leather feels soft and flexible and yes, they’re made in Italy.
The medallion, cap toe, and perforations all scream classic, but they don’t make the shoe look fat, and instead assist the trim lines.
This is what To Boot New York excels at. Taking classic details and wrapping them around an updated but not too modern platform. Everybody wins… if you have $200 to spend on one pair of shoes.
The sole isn’t an all leather, but instead has a not that invasive rubber grip pattern on the ball of the foot. A modern addition, and might be a deal breaker for some. Also available in black. Retail is $300. Currently marked down to just under $200 during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
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Wow… this has to be considered a head-to-head with the AE Strand, right? Both are $199.90 dropped from $295 in Nordstrom’s sale, both are perforated medallion cap-toe oxfords. Differences are: TBNY has an enlongated/squared toe and straight-cut edges, AE is available in a range of widths, has a leather sole, and is made in the USA.
Maybe it’s my fervor for domestic goods, maybe it’s the more classic style, but I’d take the Strand.
Picked up the Strand this during the start of the Nordy sale… Quite happy and got compliments this weekend. Should have tried these too. The pics above make it pretty interesting… But the Strands are a good purchase… looks amazing with a light grey suit.
very nice.
How is the quality / durability of To Boot though?
Like others have said, you can regularly find Allen Edmonds for $200 on sale, so not sure if it’s worth considering these.
I own these shoes from To Boot New York as well as the Strand from Allen Edmonds. I don’t really think they should be compared from a style point of view because in person they are pretty different. The detailing and broguing on these shoes is much more subtle. The Strand are among my favorite shoes from AE, but they are heavily brogued, and they really stand out when I wear them. These shoes tend to draw less attention to themselves, but they are far from plain. They are also extremely versatile, and I wear them with everything from denim to suits. If I want my shoes to really anchor an outfit I will go with the Strands, but if I want my shoes to blend in a bit more I often go with the Aarons.
I like these shoes a lot, and I wear them often, but I’m glad I didn’t pay the full $300 for them. The quality of To Boot New York is simply not as high as Allen Edmonds, I would put it more on par with Cole Haan. $300 would leave me a little dissapointed, but for $200 I would buy them again.
I have to respectfully disagree with you on the comparison to Cole Haan quality. Just my two cents, but To Boot New York is head and shoulders above Cole Haan (to me).
I would definitely agree with you about styling. To Boot New York make some of the best looking shoes out there in my opinion. They are my go to brand when I’m looking for an “updated clssic” style of shoe. Cole Hann? Not so much.
But quality is just a step down from brands like AE in my opinion. For $300+ I would prefer a goodyear welted shoe as opposed to blake/rapid construction. I have also had problems with the interior footbed coming unglued in a couple pairs of TBNY. To Boot uses quality leather for sure, but it doesnt seem to “mold” to my foot over time the way that my highest quality shoes do. Its just a bit more rigid.
I don’t mean to throw To Boot under the bus, I like the brand and will certainly continue to buy them, but I’m not gonna pay $300+ for them.
I’ll defer to your experience on the AE vs. To Boot New York vs quality in the sole department. But as far as the leather goes and the overall construction, I think TBNY beats CH. I got these and a pair of CH in the same shipment, and there’s a noticeable difference. I think, in the end, we’re both agreeing with each other. AE seems to be at the top for construction, TBNY, for some, has a style edge (but might sacrifice the bomb-proof durability of AE), and CH is somewhere behind both?
Having owned all three brands I agree with Joe. AE>TBNY>CH as far as quality is concerned. And Alden > AE. I have been thoroughly unimpressed with my CH purchases.
As an aside, it is sad to think that labels now considered budget or lower-end (Johnston & Murphy, Bostonian and even Stacey Adams) at one time or another produced footwear that rivaled Alden. Now they mostly produce cheap and tacky crap. This goes back to a time when suits were fully canvassed and shirts were offered in exact sleeve length sizes.
Of course, with CEOs wearing mock turtlenecks, athletic shoes and jeans to work fewer people feel the need dress well.
they make great shoes..i think u can get @ OFF5TH for around 150… big fan of yoox.com as well for deals !!!!
AE and alden are gold standards but these look ok. good for everyday wear and reheeling. i have some recockulous shoes but stick to a pair 1980s bostonian captoe bulchers i got on ebay for 20 bucks… because they are good for every day and with care never look like dogsh!7. my AEs and Aldens are often too powerful to wear… they just scream expensive… you don’t always want to go for the new money look… just my $0.02
my AEs and Aldens are often too powerful to wear…
As they say-dress for the job you want, not the job you have!
they just scream expensive…
Because they are!
you don’t always want to go for the new money look…
This I agree with, but I don’t think Alden and AE scream new money. Contrast collar shirts do, though. Gotta draw the line somewhere!
I tried these and the AE Strands on at Nordstrom’s today (both $200 on sale). TBNY’s were nice but the rubber sole with the funky texture gave them a cheap feel and they gripped strangely as well. Color on TBNY’s is more versatile than the AEs IMO. The construction, their all leather, and look DAMN good left it at no contest. Left the store with the Stands.
I absolutely love the Aarons. I think they are better looking than the Strands but that is because I prefer a more subtle shoe. Question: is the tan Aaron dark enough to wear with navy or charcoal suits?
Those look incredible. I do not really need ANOTHER pair of brown shoes, but if I were to get a pair these would be the ones. They are almost exactly what I have been wanted in a shoe (cut, color, detail, and most importantly at that price level)
I also have $200 in nordstrom gift cards, unfortunately there are a few other things at nordstrom that i actually need. The more i look at these pictures, I may NEED these as well.
Agree that the Strands are a bit less subtle, but it’s hard to be truly quiet in light-brown. What is your take on the (under $200 on AE site) Van Ness? More subtle than the TBNY Aaron, and it seems there’s a consensus here that it would be higher quality.
Looks like right now is a good time to stock up on (barely) sub-$200 shoes!
The tan is darker than the Strands’ light brown and I’d roll with them in a navy or charcoal suit. Would just be worried about a belt in a similar color.
Not to hijack the TBNY discussion, but I went into an AE store across from nordstroms today, and they said they would match their price for the duration of the sale. Might as well going there and get the full treatment instead!
I already own the AE Strands in Walnut (and love them) and can definitely justify buying a pair of true brown (not light brown) dress shoes. Really liking the looks of the “tan” TBNY Aaron’s, but wondering if they might be too close in color to the walnut Strands. Does anyone own both or has anyone seen both in-person? Is there enough variation to justify owning both from a practical standpoint and not just merely to satisfy wanton shoe-lust?
Based on Joe’s pics the TBNYs look a good bit darker than the walnut Strands, closer in color to the dark brown burnished Strands (seen here: http://tiny.cc/m6le2), but I’m curious to hear if anyone has done a side-by-side comparison. Joe? Thanks!