what smart black shoes (brogues)?

Soldato
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when i say smart i mean brogues or similar.

I've bought some L1 Loakes.

Didn't appreciate the different types of Loakes regarding; leather, calf leather etc before purchasing.

However having done the research after purchasing I think I've made a mistake.

Having worn perfectly comfortable rubber soled shoes for some time I thought I'd splash out (it's a fair amount of money for me!) on some Loake L1's. I normally spend £40 on shoes. The L1's were £80.

So tell me for a similar price what shoes would be better?

Very much appreciated.

Thanks.
 
That reminds me I need to get my OS re-soled. Fantastic shoes and I would like a black pair for work. I paid £220 for mine
 
I am impressed with anyone that can stand to use that site!

After a minute of trying to read the stupid sideways links I just thought "**** it!" and closed the tab.

a minute? :o

just click on 'shop' and the links are all normal in there.
 
Picked up my last pair from Jones in their sale - 195 down to 100 so I was pretty happy. Not sure when their next sale is though and the cheaper ranges aren't too nice imo. I'd stick with the Loakes tbh.
 
Im not the OP...

Just nice shoes that arent insanely expensive.

I know you're not the OP, I asked you a question based on what I think the average price that the average person is willing to spend on a pair of shoes is.

ASOS has a decent range of high-street shoe brands of decent quality http://www.asos.com/Men/Shoes/Smart-Shoes/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=5773&pge=0&pgesize=73&sort=3&sh=0

ASOS clearence section http://www.asos.com/Men/clearance/F...y.aspx?cid=1935&pge=0&pgesize=129&sort=3&sh=0

Decent 'mainstream' brands (in the low/mid-range) are:

Ted Baker
Fly
Firetrap
Peter Werth

Going to spring for some Ted Baker Denya loafers in dark brown I think. No point me paying more as my shoes generally have a pretty short lifespan due to me going out in them so much. http://www.asos.com/Ted-Baker/Ted-B...hQuery=denya&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=_None

Just also ordered a pair of Fly London Chek trainers in dark brown for £63, not bad. :)
 
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If you want modern style then look at the Patrick Cox range, a lot of them are pretty gay but there are some decent ones. I use to work at the Shoe Studio and had a pair from thier Wannabe range and they were the best shoes Ive owned and RRP were only about 120 iirc. The thing with Oliver Sweeney is they still look too old fashioned imo and tbf you would only get old people buying them, theyre like Barkers still look way too traditional and are extremely expensive. Loake are pretty over-rated imo as well quality wise they were level with the likes of Berties or some of the other cheap highstreet brands like Firetrap etc.
 
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Some of those OS shoes look pretty quirky (in a good way) to me, yet still classic.

Well style is subjective and I am 41 so perhaps fit the 'older' comments above but Sweeny makes a sublime pair of shoes that fit, wear and last well, which is about as much as you can ask really. I wouldn't buy Loakes again as the pairs I have bought in the recent past have been poorly made, much more so than in years gone by.
 
I'm a fan of Barkers. Very comfortable and very smart. But they don't last very long in my experience.
Church's do good ones too, but they tend to be somewhat pricey.
 
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