Beef Rollin'

Whenever anyone asks me for an affordable option when it comes to classic men's shoes I usually start with Florsheim.  Let's face it, not everyone has the kind of money for Alden or even Allen Edmonds for that matter.  As much as I love Bass it's nice to give face time to another stalwart making quality shoes in timeless silhouettes for the under $150 crowd.  The Florsheim Berkley, despite lacking the "Weejun" stamp of approval, is still one of my favorite beef-roll penny loafers on the market.  For $90 it's the picture of perfection - leather sole, handsewn moccasin construction and beef-roll.  It's a simple all season shoe that comes in two colors, but that's really all you need.  Whether black or burgundy they will look as good sockless with your white jeans as they will dressed up with some argyle socks and deeply cuffed wool pants come winter.  Florsheim, like Bass, has since taken production overseas (India specifically I believe), but I still think they are a great shoe for the price - it's all relative in my eyes.  And for everyone out there keeping tabs on non sartorial brand merits, in 2002 Florsheim was repurchased by members of the Florsheim family.

-L.A.S

Give 'Em The (Brogue) Boot

[Pictured: Florsheim by Duckie Brown brougue boot available here for $425.  Picture courtesy of Foward via Selectism.]

With all the hooplah surrounding workboots this season a much more refined incarnation of the boot is getting overlooked.  I've been after a pair of brogue boots for a while and today's post on Selectism featuring the brogue boot from Florsheim by Duckie Brown seems to have flanned the flames.  The brogue boot is a great weekly shoe, especially in the fall.  It pairs up great with your heavier fabric suits (or slacks) for work and looks just as great with your more casual cords and denim for your post work shenanigans.  Let's be honest, your Red Wings probably wont fly in the boardroom while, on the flip side, your buddies may be intimidated by the gloss of your Aldens.  The brogue boot treads this middleground and is one of the few shoes that's classy enough for the office, yet wont overdress you when you're hanging out with your buddies come Saturday night.  It very well may be the best "dress shoe" (if you can even call it that) you can have this fall. 

Like any good boot or dress shoe, these don't typically come cheap and you're most likely going to be breaking the piggy bank.  If this is the case, you'll at least be coming away with a seasonal shoe that should last you a long time.  If the Florsheim by Duckie Brown brogue boot price is a little too rich for your blood try these alternative offerings, which hit in the sub $300 range. You can also try your hand at securing something on eBay.  And oh yeah, go brown because it is fall, you want to be able to see the details after you spend all that money and, well, I personally don't think the brogue boot should be offered in any other color anyway.

p.s. If anyone knows of anything cheaper please let me know because If I could get a pair of these for around $200 I'd be forever in your debt.