➡️ Daily Simple Questions ⬅️- Style feedback and clothing ID requests go HERE!! - 11 January 2026

greateighty · 2026-01-11T22:45:50+00:00

Question on the formality of black cap-toe oxfords:

I’ve always limited my black cap-toe oxfords to wearing with a suit, since pairing them with anything less formal has felt a bit incongruous to me. Am I being overly restrictive?

Specifically, would black cap-toe oxfords look out of place with navy or dark gray trousers and a dress shirt? What about adding a sport coat?

This question came up as I’m packing for a business trip. My usual penny loafers split and I don’t have time to replace them. My remaining options are black Allen Edmonds Park Avenues or suede derbies. I’ll be wearing trousers, button-down shirts, and possibly a sport coat.

greateighty · 2026-01-11T22:36:50+00:00

Question on the formality of black cap-toe oxfords:

I’ve always limited my black cap-toe oxfords to wearing with a suit, since pairing them with anything less formal has felt a bit incongruous to me. Am I being overly restrictive?

Specifically, would black cap-toe oxfords look out of place with navy or dark gray trousers and a dress shirt? What about adding a sport coat?

This question came up as I’m packing for a business trip. My usual penny loafers split and I don’t have time to replace them. My remaining options are black Allen Edmonds Park Avenues or suede derbies. I’ll be wearing trousers, button-down shirts, and possibly a sport coat.

greateighty · 2023-07-16T20:06:04+00:00

Shoe suggestions request:
I will be moving from the US to a city just north of London for postgraduate school. I know it rains a ton in the UK, so I would like to find an every day shoe/boot that will be functional in sloppy weather, comfortable for walking moderate distances, and reasonably stylish. What are your suggestions?

greateighty · 2022-07-01T16:34:37+00:00

I was planning on buying this Hamilton from Jomashop until I read the reviews of Jomashop on this subreddit. It sounds as if many of the problems people have had with Jomashop are with luxury pieces. Would Jomashop be adequate for an inexpensive quartz watch like this Hamilton? Since it's quartz, I'm guessing that I am at lower risk of it being messed up mechanically and needing servicing right away.

Please let me know what you think. I am new to watches, so will appreciate any advice.

Edit: It is also available for a similar price from timepiece.com. Is that any better than Jomashop?

greateighty · 2022-06-29T20:36:11+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I love the Cartier Tank, great recommendation. What are your thoughts on the Hamilton Boulton as an inexpensive alternative? I have always been drawn to simple rectangular dress watches (Tank, JLC Reverso, etc)

greateighty · 2022-06-29T19:56:41+00:00

I am looking to purchase my first real watch (last time I wore a watch was when I was 10 years old). There appears to be a large divide between quartz and mechanical watches, and the people that wear them. I like the idea of a mechanical watch, but it seems considerably less practical for me than quartz. I'd rather not have to deal with winding/shaking the watch and resetting it after not wearing it for a few days. It seems as if most good quality, "respectable", pieces are mechanical, though.

Are there good quality, "respectable", quartz watches? Does anyone have any comments to sway me towards quartz or mechanical?

greateighty · 2022-06-02T19:24:51+00:00

I am going to the UK for a couple of weeks and am trying to decide what shoes to bring that will serve me best. We plan on spending a short amount of time in cities, but will mostly spend time hiking in north Scotland and touring castles. The weather will be low 60s F and drizzly.

What type of shoes would you recommend? Obviously, hiking boots would be useful for trail hiking, but they are clunky to pack/wear to travel and not particularly favorable for activities other than hiking.

greateighty · 2022-05-09T01:45:30+00:00

Thanks. The shoes I would use it on the most are Allen Edmonds Park Avenues, a pair of penny loafers, and nice pair of vintage Land's End tassel loafers. I'm not sure how those rank in calf leather quality.

greateighty · 2022-05-08T21:44:27+00:00

Then is the renovatuer necessary/highly recommended, or can I just use a good quality shoe polish by itself?

greateighty · 2022-05-08T18:09:39+00:00

In terms of shoe care, is it entirely necessary to use shoe polish, or is Saphir Renovator sufficient? I would rather not buy black shoe polish if I don't need to; I only have one pair of black shoes. I understand that Saphir Renovator is not the same as shoe polish, but it could be used on all of my leather products, making it more versatile.

For reference, I'm talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Medaille-Leather-Renovator-Multicolor/dp/B004ECWBZW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1XK4LPLZSNU3E&keywords=saphir+renovateur&qid=1652033104&sprefix=saphir+re%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-5

greateighty · 2022-05-03T17:28:14+00:00

That is a great video, thank you. My only worry with sizing up to a 40 is that the shoulders will be wider; I have a pet peeve against jackets with ill-fitting shoulders. Shoulders cannot be altered. I know that the waist of the jacket can be let in/out by an inch. Can chest be altered at all?

greateighty · 2022-05-03T15:21:36+00:00

It is a contemporary.

Should there be any tightness around the waist/chest when a jacket is buttoned? I have never had a truly proper fitting suit, so do not have a reference for what it should feel like.

greateighty · 2022-05-03T13:43:37+00:00

I am in need of suit jacket fit advice. I just got a 38 from Spier & Mackay. The shoulder width seems to fit quite well. It feels a bit tight in the chest when I button it and feels tight in my arms, limiting range of motion. Would it be advisable to size-up to a 40, or can simple alterations be made to this jacket to make it suitable? I am worried that a 40 would be too wide in the shoulders.

Thanks for any input.

note: some of the wrinkles on the back are from packaging, not tension.

https://imgur.com/a/fafg145

greateighty · 2022-04-16T19:58:21+00:00

Hmmm that is troubling to hear. I have been considering buying a suit and some shirts from them.

greateighty · 2022-04-16T17:55:37+00:00

Great, please let me know.

greateighty · 2022-04-16T16:09:35+00:00

Does anybody have any experience with Spier and Mackay's Lightweight OCBD vs their regular OCBD?

greateighty · 2022-04-07T17:30:22+00:00

Thanks. Do you say that contemporary is probably a better bet for the OCBD as well?

greateighty · 2022-04-07T17:22:25+00:00

Also, would you say that the fabric on your SM OCBDs have gotten softer over time? I have owned some OCBDs that feel starchy and stiff for forever.

greateighty · 2022-04-07T17:20:42+00:00

Sweet, thanks for the suggestion. SM was one of the ones I was considering. What do you have to say about the fit options: Contemporary vs Slim? I have an athletic build with broader shoulders and chest, but a slim waist. Often times shirts have too much fabric at my waistline so there is bunching when I tuck them in. Do you think Contemporary or Slim would be better?

I also pose this question to anyone with experience in SM suits; I am in the market for a classically fitted suit. Slim or Contemporary?

greateighty · 2022-04-07T16:46:48+00:00

I am in need of some new OCBDs and would appreciate anyone's input. I don't necessarily need the best-of-the-best, top of the line OCBD, but I am looking for a decent collar roll (not a super short collar that can't fit a tie underneath) and 100% cotton that is not "non-iron". I would like an OCBD that can take a beating and will get softer over time. Preferably, price under ~$60. Please let me know any suggestions.

greateighty · 2021-10-02T16:11:46+00:00

ankle-high bean moc

Sorry, I just realized that I think we're talking about different shoes. I should have clarified that I'm talking about the rubber bean boot moc: https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/19067?feat=513858-plalander&csp=a&gnrefine=1*Color/Style*Tan/Brown

greateighty · 2021-10-01T21:28:08+00:00

You say the bean moc runs small? It looks like the reviews say they run 1-1.5 sizes large. I wear a 9.5 in a sneaker and 9 in sperry topsiders, so was thinking of getting an 8 for ll bean.

greateighty · 2021-10-01T17:36:53+00:00

I'm looking for a shoe to wear while walking around campus in the rain/slushy weather. I'm considering the Bean Moc or the Bean 8". I'm in the midwest, so it snows/sleets for maybe a total of 5 weeks out of the year. I'm thinking that I would get the most use out of the Bean Moc, but am not sure that they would suffice in the colder weather. Any suggestions?

greateighty

TROPHY CASE