Working Shoe for Young Exec

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alvinquah

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I think light/dark brown and oxblood/burgundy will be a better options for those starting out cause they are more versatile in term or colour matching for dress pant/chino.

Generally guideline for black pant is with black shoe only. Whereas for burgundy, you can match with black/brown/grey/navy pant...for brown shoe, you can match with charcoal/brown/grey/navy pant...

And also the more brouging it has, the less formal it gets. Same goes for oxford and blucher vs dress pant and chino. Lotsa of combi depend on your ootd in what situation...

Eg,My OOTD for my work wear. Matching of navy pant with burgundy oxford semi brogue

87DD7CC1-2245-488B-A707-58D794223BE6.jpg
 
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urbanturban

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I think light/dark brown and oxblood/burgundy will be a better options for those starting out cause they are more versatile in term or colour matching for dress pant/chino.

Generally guideline for black pant is with black shoe only. Whereas for burgundy, you can match with black/brown/grey/navy pant...for brown shoe, you can match with charcoal/brown/grey/navy pant...

And also the more brouging it has, the less formal it gets. Same goes for oxford and blucher vs dress pant and chino. Lotsa of combi depend on your ootd in what situation...

I actually disagree. You can get away with black shoes; paired with black, all sorts of grey to navy pants.

As for brown shoes, you can only pair with grey, navy and brown pants.

In terms of pairing with working shirts, i think the black shoes is more versatile as brown pants are harder to pull off. Not to mention if you are sticky about shoe colour pairing with belt colour.
 

All in a Day

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I actually disagree. You can get away with black shoes; paired with black, all sorts of grey to navy pants.

As for brown shoes, you can only pair with grey, navy and brown pants.

In terms of pairing with working shirts, i think the black shoes is more versatile as brown pants are harder to pull off. Not to mention if you are sticky about shoe colour pairing with belt colour.

+1 on that. Black shoes are all along the standard for office dress wear (and still the only option for black tie/formal occasions). With the exception of probably khaki/earth/brown dress pants (which aren't easy to match with dress shirts also), black shoes go with most other colour dress pants for work.

The notion of black shoes are for black pants only feels to me like a recent "styleforum-ish" type of thing going around.

If one is only able to get a single pair of dress shoes and nothing more, I would recommend black over any other colours.
 
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Beta_Tester

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I think light/dark brown and oxblood/burgundy will be a better options for those starting out cause they are more versatile in term or colour matching for dress pant/chino.

Generally guideline for black pant is with black shoe only. Whereas for burgundy, you can match with black/brown/grey/navy pant...for brown shoe, you can match with charcoal/brown/grey/navy pant...

And also the more brouging it has, the less formal it gets. Same goes for oxford and blucher vs dress pant and chino. Lotsa of combi depend on your ootd in what situation...

Eg,My OOTD for my work wear. Matching of navy pant with burgundy oxford semi brogue
Wonder my Greenish shoe will look good with my purple pants.. or maybe even blue jeans ~
 

Emospence

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What shoes are those?

I think light/dark brown and oxblood/burgundy will be a better options for those starting out cause they are more versatile in term or colour matching for dress pant/chino.

Generally guideline for black pant is with black shoe only. Whereas for burgundy, you can match with black/brown/grey/navy pant...for brown shoe, you can match with charcoal/brown/grey/navy pant...

And also the more brouging it has, the less formal it gets. Same goes for oxford and blucher vs dress pant and chino. Lotsa of combi depend on your ootd in what situation...

Eg,My OOTD for my work wear. Matching of navy pant with burgundy oxford semi brogue

87DD7CC1-2245-488B-A707-58D794223BE6.jpg
 

dark_aLLeY

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You guys are brave, I don't dare to wear so "loud" colors like green, red, burgundy etc. :o
 

arctuates

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Okay I've mulled over my five choices.

I'll start off with disclaimers first. I work in a less formal office setting - shirt, pants, shoes, you're set. Beyond that, there are no formal rules for dressing (e.g. I know some banks have a black-pants-only requirement). My preferences lean towards the casual rather than the formal side of the house.

I own zero black pants and therefore find little use for my black cap-toed oxfords. I have excluded these from my list.

I wear jeans on Fridays (dress-down day) and on weekends.

Lastly, I do not own all of these shoes, and I base my choices on my experiences with my current wardrobe. I also couldn't find the pics for all the colors I mention, so some imagination is required...

#1: Dark chocolate suede plain-toe blucher.
9599S.jpg
#2: A mid or dark brown penny loafer.
_mg_9524_2.jpg
#1 and #2 are my most versatile in terms of pairing with both office and casual outfits. Either pair should go well with dress pants in various shades of charcoal or blue (i.e. covers most office wear). Both can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans, and in some cases even with shorts. From personal experience, these are the shoes I reach for when I can't be bothered to think about what how to best match my outfit. In other words, my go-to shoes.

#3: Brown/burgundy balmoral shoe (or boot). Plain-toed or possibly with medallion, but no cap-toe. Choice of mixed upper is optional (will either raise or lower formality depending on what is chosen).
GazianoGirling-Balmoral-shoes.jpg

a7ahery4.jpg
My choice for the formal dress shoe. Keep these to a dark shade and I think you'll find a viable alternative to the standard-issue formal black oxford. When made up in a sleek last, the long unbroken line enhances the image of a modern, streamlined silhouette. The possibility of mixing in exotics or suede appeals to the more experimental enthusiast, but contrast should always be minimised to retain formality. Shine well for dressier instances, brush-down for less formal situations, and resort to a booted version if you intend to wear these with jeans and a jacket for smart-casual nights out (they'll still go well with suits nonetheless).

#4: Wet weather chukka (or boot).
17690e2e4b4be3065eee47e5a9ca760f.jpg

img_9421.jpg
Color choices take a backseat to utility here - of greater importance on "ponding" days is ensuring your feet stay dry while on the move. Opt for footwear that's higher cut to keep water out; hardier leathers with greater water-resistance (e.g. shell, which has a higher intrinsic wax content); and build options that further reduce the risks of wet feet, such as rubber soles and/or double leather soles, and a half (or full) bellowed tongue. Proper waxing and maintenance contributes to the cause.

#5 (and #6, #7, #8, etc.): Whatever you're passionate about.

Basically a cop-out as I can't think of anything that I would "need" beyond the above. Obviously I own more than 4 pairs of shoes - several pairs of work boots, a couple pairs of trainers, some dandy shoes (which I have a mind to sell off since I don't wear them). Tastes and preferences evolve over time, but I suspect the above 4 will suffice for me indefinitely.
 
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All in a Day

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I think light/dark brown and oxblood/burgundy will be a better options for those starting out cause they are more versatile in term or colour matching for dress pant/chino.

Generally guideline for black pant is with black shoe only. Whereas for burgundy, you can match with black/brown/grey/navy pant...for brown shoe, you can match with charcoal/brown/grey/navy pant...

And also the more brouging it has, the less formal it gets. Same goes for oxford and blucher vs dress pant and chino. Lotsa of combi depend on your ootd in what situation...

Eg,My OOTD for my work wear. Matching of navy pant with burgundy oxford semi brogue

87DD7CC1-2245-488B-A707-58D794223BE6.jpg

Hows comfort of ur loakes so far alvin?
 

All in a Day

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Okay I've mulled over my five choices.

I'll start off with disclaimers first. I work in a less formal office setting - shirt, pants, shoes, you're set. Beyond that, there are no formal rules for dressing (e.g. I know some banks have a black-pants-only requirement). My preferences lean towards the casual rather than the formal side of the house.

I own zero black pants and therefore find little use for my black cap-toed oxfords. I have excluded these from my list.

I wear jeans on Fridays (dress-down day) and on weekends.

Lastly, I do not own all of these shoes, and I base my choices on my experiences with my current wardrobe. I also couldn't find the pics for all the colors I mention, so some imagination is required...

#1: Dark chocolate suede plain-toe blucher.
9599S.jpg
#2: A mid or dark brown penny loafer.
_mg_9524_2.jpg
#1 and #2 are my most versatile in terms of pairing with both office and casual outfits. Either pair should go well with dress pants in various shades of charcoal or blue (i.e. covers most office wear). Both can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans, and in some cases even with shorts. From personal experience, these are the shoes I reach for when I can't be bothered to think about what how to best match my outfit. In other words, my go-to shoes.

#3: Brown/burgundy balmoral shoe (or boot). Plain-toed or possibly with medallion, but no cap-toe. Multiple choices of uppers is optional (will either raise or lower formality depending on what is chosen).
GazianoGirling-Balmoral-shoes.jpg

a7ahery4.jpg
My choice for the formal dress shoe. Keep these to a dark shade and I think you'll find a viable alternative to the standard-issue formal black oxford. When made up in a sleek last, the long unbroken line enhances the image of modern, streamlined silhouette. The possibility of mixing in exotics or suede appeals to the more experimental enthusiast, but contrast should always be minimised to retain formality. Shine well for dressier instances, brush-down for less formal situations, and resort to a booted version if you intend to wear these with jeans and a jacket for smart-casual nights out (they'll still go well with suits nonetheless).

#4: Wet weather chukka (or boot).
17690e2e4b4be3065eee47e5a9ca760f.jpg

img_9421.jpg
Color choices take a backseat to utility here - of greater importance on "ponding" days is ensuring your feet stay dry while on the move. Opt for footwear that's higher cut to keep water out; hardier leathers with greater water-resistance (e.g. shell, which has a higher intrinsic wax content); and build options that further reduce the risks of wet feet, such as rubber soles and/or double leather soles, and a half (or full) bellowed tongue. Proper waxing and maintenance contributes to the cause.

#5 (and #6, #7, #8, etc.): Whatever you're passionate about.

Basically a cop-out as I can't think of anything that I would "need" beyond the above. Obviously I own more than 4 pairs of shoes - several pairs of work boots, a couple pairs of trainers, some dandy shoes (which I have a mind to sell off since I don't wear them). Tastes and preferences evolve over time, but I suspect the above 4 will suffice for me indefinitely.

Interesting choice on the oxfords. Thks for sharing!
 

maxell_555

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Anywhere else to shine shoes similar to Kevin Seah?

P.s. I think I forgotten the name of a place someone shared before.. That is $8 for a service..
 

Daniel.Y

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i would suggest muji. those opaque boxes, easily stackable, and could be shifted anywhere. A bit investment though, considering if you have many shoes.
 
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