HELLOFALL = $10 off $69, $25 off $139, $40 off $199
You do have to sign up for their email club to use the offer, but once you do, you can stack the code HELLOFALL w/ SHIPR for free shipping over $39. DSW’s rewards program is one of the better ones out there, so if you’re open to handing over an email for this sort of thing, it’s worth it. And these tiered sales are the best way to make DSW’s already solid-value house brands (Mercanti Fiorentini, Mike Konos, Aston Grey) even more affordable. Code expires 9/10/13. Okay… on with the picks.
Mercanti Fiorentini Double Monk Medallion – $124.95 ($149.95)
The new budget sex panther. (Cue the “oh but I just can’t get over the chisel toe thing” comment). Yes, the toe could be a little rounder. But for $125, it’s awfully close to perfect. Glued sole, but solid construction. Have two pairs of Mercs in rotation and have beat the snot out of them over the last year or two, and they’ve held up real well. Super comfortable too. Leather isn’t the thickest, but it’s soft. Made in Italy. If the designers could just keep the elongated vamp but round off the toe be more like their blucher wingtip, then they wouldn’t be able to keep these things in stock.
Mercanti Fiorentini Double Monk Cap Toe – $124.95 ($149.95)
The old budget sex panther. Three shades now. Not quite as sleek as the new option since the buckle flap isn’t stitched down across the top, but still solid for the price.
Aston Grey Boyd Oxford – $99.95 ($109.95)
Think of Aston Grey as a step below the Mercanti Fiorentini line. Usually made in China, cheaper quality, but still a really good option for those on a tight budget. Toe could look a little better on these from above, but otherwise, lots of sleek potential. A new arrival.
Aston Grey Crockett Suede – $79.95 ($89.95)
What… Tubbs can’t get his own shoe?
Johnston & Murphy Adler – $124.95 ($149.95)
Conservative, dependable, and awfully close if not identical to the Goodyear Welted Melton on Amazon.In fact, might want to go with the Melton. And try the code EXTRADAY. It was set to expire this morning, but it’s still working as of post time. It takes 20% off select shoes over at Amazon, and these are included. That means means you can get a pair of goodyear welted oxfords in black or bordeaux for just around a hundred bucks.
Clarks Bushacre Desert Boot – $69.95 ($79.95)
Like their original Desert Boot, only this one has a synthetic instead of natural crepe sole. Also, is the construction different on this one too? Anyway, dark brown and light brown leather available. Cheaper than Amazon.
Mezlan Brogue Oxford – $209.95 ($249.95)
The funk is strong with this one. Like a more aerodynamic version of the long gone Allen Edmonds Fairfax. A true oxford with closed lacing, and sweeping perforations. Be aware that the Mezlan toe is a strong one. Going to be too pointy for some. As far as quality goes, Mezlan usually looks and feels a lot like Magnnani, which are also made in Spain. Available in Cognac or Black. The black option might be a slick way to mix it up on those days when you give your brown pairs a rest.
Antonio Maurizi Puzo Wingtip Oxford – $259.95 ($299.95)
What was that about looking a bit the Allen Edmonds Fairfax? Made in Italy. Brown is a little too light to be versatile.
Gucci Chelsea Boot – $309.95 ($349.95)
You’ll pay through the nose for it, but that’s pretty much what a Chelsea boot should look like. Made in Italy. Make sure you order a size or at least half a size smaller.
Sorel Caribou Nubuck – $59.94 ($139.90)
These are the boots you kick Old Man Winter’s ass in.
Mercanti Fiorentini Cap Toe Oxford – $114.95 ($139.95)
A true oxford with brogue style perforations on the cap toe and sweeping up along the lacing panel. Made in Italy. Be warned: these do possess the standard Mercanti Fiorentini chisel toe, but…
Mercanti Fiorentini Cap Toe – $114.95 ($139.95)
… these do not.
Aston Grey Armato Penny Loafer – $79.95 ($89.95)
Not a bad looking basic penny loafer. It avoids the stuffy old-man-loafer look thanks to a longer vamp (the top part of the shoe). Perfectly rounded off and tapered toe too. Too bad they only come in black.
Prada Leather Kiltie Oxford – $559.95 ($599.95)
Think we all know just what blazer to wear these with.
The tiered DSW code HELLOFALL expires on Tuesday 9/10/13. Remember, you do have to sign up for their email list and become a “DSW Rewards member” to use the code.
Aston Grey also has some suede bucks almost identical to what Banana Republic is currently selling, at a cheaper price point than what BR’s normal 40% off comes to. Hitting my local DSW at lunch today to see how they fit.
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/aston+grey+dien+oxford?prodId=268708&activeCats=cat20192,dsw12cat1970002
Holy. … I own the BR blue suedes and love em. And those appear to be the exact same shoe (the sole / where the lines are / the faux orangeish-welt around the edge). Wow. Thanks Dackman. Great catch.
Handsome, handsome things. I need another brown shoe like I need a hole in the head but dammit, there is some great stuff here.
Yep! As someone who just picked up a pair of the BR shoes, granted for a price still lower than these at DSW, I also see these as EXACTLY the same.
I wonder if the Crocket is on par in quality…
Hope the Crocket is. They’d be a steal if they are.
More on the BR over here in case anyone wants a closer look: http://dappered.com/2012/06/in-person-banana-republic-suedes/
Joe, how do you compare the Mercanti double monks with the AE Neumora? Similar chisel toe, similar price (when I bought them in the 2 for 250 closeout sale).
The comment for the Prada’s was perfect. Do you think the designers of these make things like that just to see if their costumers are dumb enough to buy whatever garbage they put out?
I can’t help but think ‘costumers’ was deliberate…
Okay guys, time for the lightning round. I’m a college student and I need to buy my first pair of big-boy shoes. I picked up the charcoal wool Thompson suit earlier this summer. I’ve narrowed the selection down to the MF cap toe oxford and the Melton, both in black. Both are priced very well.
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/mercanti+fiorentini+cap+toe+oxford?prodId=255229&brand=300235&activeCats=men,300235&isBrand=y&categoryName=men
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UUGZN6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000UUGZN6&linkCode=as2&tag=dappered-20
Which one should I go with?
Make sure to try them on first. For some reason, I seem to recall trying on the DSW’s on their clearance rack (brown or taupe, I think), in size 11 (my normal dress shoe size), and they were HUUUUUUGE. I also have the BR blue suede (Owens), in size 10.5 because I wear them sockless. They looked identical to me too, but for some reason the sizing was way off on the DSW. Maybe why they were in the clearance section. Dunno.
I also could swear I saw the same shoe once again in another brand at Nordy Rack. Hmmn… Gordon Rush? Something like that.
* EDIT * – I should have replied this to dackman’s comment, as it sounds like he’s running out to DSW soon. Sorry, dack. Hope you see this man!
Dackman, make sure you try them on, bud. The sizing seemed way off compared to the BRs. I guess YMMV, but worth noting. See my comment right below in reply to Joe’s reply (oops!).
Personally, I like the styling of the Melton better (more conservative stitching, rounded toe, even the single heel stitching versus the MF), but I go pretty conservative on my black oxfords. The shape of both is pretty great (aside from the toe on the MF, for me). The J&M is also goodyear welted, while I believe the MF is glued, so that one vote for the J&M’s.
I really like the brown color of those MF’s, also, though that’s of no help to you.
Freud was a wise man!
Hah; I had just bought those damn double monks on Monday.
Fortunately, they were willing to apply the code for me without making me perform shipping sleight-of-hand.
Thanks for the tip.
Yep, you are correct. Tried on my normal 10.5 at lunch and they were a bit long, the 10 fit much better, but definitely felt a bit narrower. Wondering how much they’ll stretch. Didn’t pull the trigger in store since the code is online and I didn’t have my rewards coupon with me.
Any word on Aston Grey Crockett’s sizing? AE 7.5, should I go with 7 in these then?
No problem, wasn’t planning on purchasing today anyway. But boy oh boy did they have some nice stuff in the clearance section, too bad I’m in no need of any more brown shoes. Not yet anyway…
Neumora = leather is far superior, and they can be recrafted. The mercanti are awfully nice for the price. $125 for a pair of AEs is really tough to do, and that 2 for 250 closeout sale is one incredible deal if you find pairs you like and your size.
J&M.
Head says J&M. Heart says Mercanti, and yes, I realize that the chisel toe on the Mercanti line is very, very divisive. Don’t care. I love the two pair I have. But I’m 99% sure you’re going to LIKE those J&M Meltons for years. I’m 70% sure you’ll LOVE the Mercanti for maybe a year or two (even though mine are still going strong two years in)
Honestly, I don’t mind that chisel toe on the Mercanti. I admit, though, I really like them in brown better. And I can always pick them up later on, after I’m employed.
J&Ms it is. Thanks everybody.
I have a pair of the Melton. I got them as my first Goodyear welt. I recommend against them. The leather is polished( likely corrected) and very difficult to break it. I got a pair of AE Park Avenues and the leather is far better. No experience with the DSW line though.
will those prada’s increase your vertical? i’m looking for a new basketball shoe, and these look like the perfect shoe to elevate my game.
Any thoughts on these? Any experience with Penguin shoes? I love their khakis…
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/original+penguin+merle+chukka+boot?prodId=264562&activeCats=cat20192,cat20303,dsw12cat1740150
The toe box on Penguin shoes are comically wide
I’ll get the shoes on the bottom ONLY if they light up when I walk.
Oh. Well, that’s a shame. If it doesn’t work out, I can always return them. Thanks for the heads-up.
I’m also wondering is Melton the entry level black Oxford toget? Is there any other better option?
I’ve owned a pair of the Clarks Bushacre Desert Boots in dark brown for close to two years now and I can firmly say that the construction is superb. I’ve beaten the hell out of these things and they just keep on giving. Currently these are my go-to boots for my fieldwork in the jungles of Sri Lanka while I’m here for 4 months on a research project.
Fuuuck yea. (To the Prada Leather Kiltie Oxford/DKNY Blazer pairing)
Sorry for the swear…it just is the perfect emphasis…
combine with the amex promo for an extra $50 off $200
I’ve been wanting some combat-style boots so I picked up the Bullboxer Thrasos. I couldn’t find any reviews online of Bullboxer’s men’s shoes so I’m hoping these work out: http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bullboxer+thrasos+boot?prodId=260233&productRef=SEARCH
If you have a BR near you, go try on their version.
Who says there’s anything wrong with a chisel toe? Certainly not G&G or EG. I love a well executed chisel toe
As for the color it really looks more “dry” than the Desert Boots which I would call “rich”
7409489033 Joe let the masses know. All Allen Edmond cordovans seconds on sale for 299. I recommend calling above number n asking for Kristle or Kelsey
I’m trying to buy a pair of the J&Ms from Amazon but infuriatingly they will ship a size 9C or 9E to Australia but 9D for some reason can’t be shipped internationally. I’ve tried online chat and their customer service is spectacularly bad as well.