DSW’s Up to $40 Off Sale – The Picks

ITSTIME = $10 off $74, $25 off $149, $40 off $199

You do have to join their email club (“DSW Rewards”) to use this tiered code ITSTIME, but DSW doesn’t flood your inbox with emails. Once you sign up you can also use the code SHIPR to get free shipping on top of any discounts, and after awhile you might accrue some gift certificates that can be stacked on future codes.

DSW continues to churn out some of the best, affordable (read: low $100’s) shoes on the market. Their Mercanti Fiorentini and Mike Konos brands are especially good, and in the double digits, the “imported” Aston Grey brand does well too. Just beware that the “compare to” prices on their house brands seems to be more than a little inflated.

 

Mercanti Fiorentini Cap Toe Oxford – $129.95 ($139.95)

The good news is that these might just be the best looking dress shoes under $150 on the market. The bad news is… DSW doesn’t sell socks anymore. What’s that mean? You used to be able to put a pair or two of socks in your cart when a shoe like this would fall just under the 2nd threshold. Instead of $25 off (minus the cost of socks), now it’s just $10 off. Still made in Italy, still a great silhouette, and still a fantastic buy if you can tolerate a bit of a chisel (no, they’re not square) toes. Bonded soles but Mercs hold up real well over time.

 

Johnston & Murphy Adler – $124.95 ($149.95)

Boy, these look a lot like the Goodyear Welted Melton don’t they? This isn’t the first time that a shoe has showed up on DSW’s site looking just like another well known shoe, only to carry a different name. No mention of the welt in the description though. These are $125, while the Melton is right around $140 on Amazon.

 

Mercanti Fiorentini Wingtip Oxford – $134.95 ($159.95)

Meanwhile, in the perfect toe-shape camp… These are a new arrival. They almost look like a cross between an Allen Edmonds Neumok and a Florsheim Veblen. Not a long wing, and looks to have more structure than a Neumok. Available in four shades. Come with contrasting laces. The grey pair would look pretty sharp with jeans. Also made in Italy.

 

Mezlan Oxford – $209.95 ($249.95)

Would you wear these? Just a slight, fashion-forward European influence here. Just a tiny bit. These are about as far away from conservative, yet still tempting to some (few?), as you’ll find. Thinking that the black pair would be the way to go. Since the design is so progressive, getting them in black might help them blend in. Made in Spain.

 

Mercanti Fiorentini Wingtip Blucher – $124.95 ($149.95)

Back to more conservative shoes. Not a true oxford since it has open lacing, but it still has a nice shoe tape and details. Interesting how short Mercanti Fiorentini keeps the serrated edges on their brogues. Looks to be like the other Mercs; Made in Italy with most likely a glued sole?

 

“Vintage” Hammond Boot – $109.94 ($119.94)

Ignore those yellow laces for a second (unless you like them, then by all means). Those are easily replaceable. Made in the USA by the Vintage Shoe Company (vintage doesn’t = used-condition here). Already on clearance. Video from Zappos here, and a couple of reviews can be found over at Last Call.

 

Aston Grey Drake Oxford – $79.97 ($89.95)

Sorta like a saddle but not quite. Aston Grey is one of the more affordable DSW brands, and while they’re usually made in China, they seem to hold up decently well. Maybe a good pair to try going sockless in this summer?

 

Mercanti Fiorentini Double Monk Strap – $124.95 ($149.95)

Obligatory. Really glad they started making these in a medium brown as well as the lighter tan. Black is also available. Nice quality for the price.  Not dirt cheap, not mega inexpensive. A nice, real affordable, glued-sole double monk.

 

Cole Haan Air Grant Driver – $89.95 ($99.95)

A black suede driver probably isn’t high on everyone’s list, but don’t totally count out the black and tan combo.

 

Mercanti Cap Toe Blucher – $124.95 ($149.95)

Simple and classic. Not quite as sleek as it’s perforated cap toe cousin at the top of the post (this one has open lacing, the first shoe is a closed true oxford), but still very suit worthy. Also available in black.

 

Danner Shibuya Gore-Tex Hiker – $169.96 ($200)

Not made here in the states like many Danners are, but it is lined in Gore-tex, has a stitch down welt, and the looks are actually pretty decent for a hiking boot. More from Danner over here.

 

Girard-Perregaux Men’s WW.TC Watch – $37,955.55 ($37,955.55)

As pointed out by Sergio and Alexander on the facebook page earlier today… now $40 off!

The $10 off $74, $25 off $149, $40 off $199 code ITSTIME expires Tuesday June 4th.