Working Shoe for Young Exec

[arctuates]

Indeed, it would actually be interesting to see if we could arrive at a consensus view on what the, say, 5 "basic" pairs of shoes for the average Singaporean office-worker would be. Incorporating daily work use, weekend activities, and I suppose nights out with friends.

It sounds a bit like a thread on its own though...

 

[All in a Day]

Indeed, it would actually be interesting to see if we could arrive at a consensus view on what the, say, 5 "basic" pairs of shoes for the average Singaporean office-worker would be. Incorporating daily work use, weekend activities, and I suppose nights out with friends.

It sounds a bit like a thread on its own though...

U already indirectly set ur basic to 5 pairs haha. Is quite alot leh. Which are your 5 then?

 

[arctuates]

Haha no no, i just threw in a random figure. I think 5 is a fair number though, considering the wide spectrum of possibilities. For instance, some Singaporeans work in very formal settings and require more dress shoes than casual ones. Others are the other way around. 5 seems a good ballpark figure to force people to consider the spread of options and distill their choices.

It's good food for thought. Give me awhile to think about it.

 

[staedtler_07]

I guess 5 should be more then sufficiemt, lets say 2 pairs of office shoe, one pair weekend, one pair sports shoe and one pair of shoe for general purpose. Wouldn't that make 5 pairs?

 

[i_got_a_question_to_ask]

Black captoe Oxford
Burgundy brogued Oxford
tan brogued longwing
Brown penny loafer

What I consider basics for my kind of work environment and lifestyle

 

[All in a Day]

Black captoe Oxford
Burgundy brogued Oxford
tan brogued longwing
Brown penny loafer

What I consider basics for my kind of work environment and lifestyle

Care to explain the purpose/function of each pair u mentioned to qualify as basic for your lifestyle? I can figure black captoe oxford as an office staple n perhaps penny loafer for weekend casual n possibly with berms? The rest i m not sure..

This is with a disciplined "basic" needs-based approach to the shoe selection.. Else the list can go on monks, boots haha

 

[i_got_a_question_to_ask]

Wrong. Black Oxford is not staple. It get the least wear only when I dress up to meet the president of United states or pope.

Burgundy Oxford when I need to look formal.

The other 2 when I feel like "dressing up".

When I don't feel like it, I wear fug up uniform pants and safety boots.

Safety boots is my staple.

 

[i_got_a_question_to_ask]

Really must see your environment to decide lor

 

[Carnage]

It depends on what you want. I have colleagues and friends who do frontline roles, their shoes are an absolute mess. High toe spring, peeling leather. You name it, I've seen it. They are just ignorant about these matters or simply ignore it as long as the shoes are serviceable.

Most of them don't even bother to care for their shoes much less insert shoetrees in them.

 

[urbanturban]

I think i need the following (i don't have all of them yet). I try to wear a different shoe each day of the week.

1 Black toe
1 Black longwing
1 Black wholecut medallion
1 Burgundy loafer
1 Brown double monk
1 Tan country brogue
1 suede casual shoe
1 running shoe
1 casual sneakers
1 sandals (crocs for me, no matter how ugly they are)
countless socks

 

[dark_aLLeY]

Haha. Not slippery meh?

If you're walking on wet tiles (shopping mall), maybe. If on the road pavement, no.


Like chickenbackside mentioned, if your shoes are well constructed (particularly GY-welted), water won't sip in from the btm.

However, water can still enter from the "top" directly (the shoelace area, and the portion where your feet slip into the shoe), or indirectly (water splashed onto your socks/trousers, and seeps into the shoe).

So it only make sense to wrap and cover your whole feet up the ankle level, if you wanna survive rain & ponding.

Is it embarrassing? No. I work in Orchard Rd, even some ang mohs (Caucasians) are doing it.

 

[Carnage]

Since we're on that topic, I think I need:
1) 1 brown oxfords
2) 1 black oxfords
3) 2 pairs of slippers
4) 2 pairs of running shoes
5) 1 pair of brogues or adelaides for formal meals

 

[Beta_Tester]

im just waiting to see the end product of my Shoes..

Then next up to pair them with what.

 

[Seannie]

I think well-made shoes can easily take a good accidental soaking.

As long as they're not submerged and worn sensibly during a downpour, stuffing the shoes with newspaper and air drying for a few days will take care or drying out the shoes. Then some conditioner and polish will return the shoes back to their pristine state.

I've had my shoes go through snow, tropical storms, gravel...etc, and they restore just fine with some TLC.

Caveat is that you must have a few pairs to rotate.

yea then i guess my DW shoes are well-made then, none of the issues you have mentioned, and i dont even rotate. But i use shoe tree.

Woohooo

 

[All in a Day]

Wrong. Black Oxford is not staple. It get the least wear only when I dress up to meet the president of United states or pope.

Burgundy Oxford when I need to look formal.

The other 2 when I feel like "dressing up".

When I don't feel like it, I wear fug up uniform pants and safety boots.

Safety boots is my staple.

Haha so meeting president of united states or the pope is a basic need for u.

Anyway I kind of expected all sorts of dress shoes to appear and for the replies to evolve into a wish list of sorts than a "basic" list (based on applying a principle of "need" vs "want", again entirely subjective)

I fully agree one's job/needs will also greatly affect what constitutes basic or staple.

FWIW, my basic shoes (based on my subjective intepretation of what is a "need" and not a "want" and my work context) will be:

Black captoe oxfords - for daily work and formal occasions
Dark brown oxfords (probably captoe too, at most punched captoe line) - for semi-formal or jeans wear and rotate with work shoes is a bonus
Running shoes - for exercise (don't do ball or racquet games so running shoes will do fine)
Leather loafers - for bermudas/jeans. But i can put this as optional since i typically pair berms with flip flops instead

 

[maxell_555]

To order Shoe Trees, please see the following conditions. If you are agreeable, PM me with items URL and text me to save your phone number at 83229075. Ask MO status.

- Check the size you want and don't ask me on the sizing. Cause I don't want to be responsible if the size I tell you becomes unsuitable when the actual item arrives.
- If you place order with me and decides to back out, please still pay and collect the shoe tree then find other buyer for it. Don't expect me to help to find a buyer to take over your item.
- Collection will only at my convenience as I am not making a profit for this.
- Items take about 2-3 weeks to ship over to Singapore by UPS

This is another MO to collect in the west.

Collection either at Yew Tee/Raffles station.
Courier with additional charges, min. $6.

USD 125 for FREE shipping! Accept other items that are AmazonGlobal Eligible.

Some wooden shoe trees option from Amazon:

~USD 20-30 Amazon.com: Woodlore Cedar Shoe Tree

 

[alvinquah]

this guide is what i follow. pretty accurate for most countries.

though i have expanded out of the basic shoe discussed hehe

http://putthison.com/post/27558524428/the-seven-shoe-wardrobe-the-longer-i-write-about

 

[Belthasar]

For 5 pairs of shoes,

1) Black Cap Toe Oxford (Weddings/Funerals/Interview/Work)
2) Brown Quarter Brogue Cap Toe Oxford (Work/Night Out/Semi-Formal)
3) Ox-blood Austerity Brogue (Work/Night Out/Semi-Formal)
4) Black Penny Loafers (Casual/Night Out)
5) Running Shoes

Possible Changes
4) for a pair of boots if you prefer something more suitable for the rain or if you just prefer boots in general.
3) for a pair of black whole-cut shoes if you attend white/black tie events.

Should pretty much cover most situations.

 

[Beta_Tester]

actually i have a generic Pedro shoes to wear ard as a shoe to rotate.. so when i go sites.. normally this will be worn.. the big ass pot holes and uneven muddy surface is too much to take.. thats where im there for meeting.. if really to walk sites.. the Red Wing boots will be there..

 

[All in a Day]

actually i have a generic Pedro shoes to wear ard as a shoe to rotate.. so when i go sites.. normally this will be worn.. the big ass pot holes and uneven muddy surface is too much to take.. thats where im there for meeting.. if really to walk sites.. the Red Wing boots will be there..

My basic list does not consider rotation. If add in rotation, i "need" to rest my shoes at least 1 week per wear so will need at least 5 dress shoes then!