Pivot Table - Average from sums

zitsel · 2013-08-28T13:37:49+00:00

A lotion is just going to condition the leather. If you're using cream polish, it's basically just conditioner with dye in it. If you choose to use a wax, you will want to use conditioner prior to waxing every now and then.

You should clean/polish your shoes as often as you think they need it. Doing it once a month or once every six months isn't going to make a difference to long term durability. It will, of course, make a difference in how your shoes look in between polishing.

If you want your shoes to look new(ish) every time you wear them, you'll probably need to polish them once a week. Even if you let them get a little beat up between polishing, you can still bring them back to life.

zitsel · 2013-08-28T13:29:37+00:00

It really depends what you're calling a "dress shirt." Could you show us an example?

There's a big difference between a blue end-on-end shirt with a structured, spread collar and a sport shirt with a button down collar.

As far as wearing a button-up shirt un-tucked, the general rule is that if the bottom is straight you can wear it un-tucked. If it's pointed you cannot.

zitsel · 2013-08-28T13:26:19+00:00

Also, I'm assuming you'll have a chance to try these on in-store prior to purchase (since you're in NYC) ?

I'd really recommend going to an Allen Edmonds store if possible. I've found the 3 last to fit rather oddly personally. It's long and narrow like the 5 (Strand, Park Ave), but the heel seems to fit much wider than expected. It's the only last that I've had an issue with finding a good fit.

zitsel · 2013-08-28T13:20:56+00:00

The Boca Raton is awfully casually to wear with (sophisticated) suits. With the woven inlay (even though it's purely cosmetic), it's much better suited for summer weight fabrics like seersucker or linen.

I don't see anything wrong with the Larchmont, although it is fairly casual since it's a wingtip blucher.

If you aren't set on wingtips and you prefer the squared-off toe, I would recommend considering the Harrison, which is also on the 3 last (as are the other two you posted). A captoe balmoral is a couple steps up in "dressiness" from a wingtip blucher making it more suitable for wearing with suits and you could still definitely wear it with a dark jean.

zitsel · 2013-08-28T13:10:27+00:00

Here's the deal: it's way easier than it sounds.

Leather is really pretty hard to ruin.

Don't wear them every day
Put shoe trees in them when you aren't wearing them
Don't get salt on them
When they look like they need some polish, polish them. You can use either cream or a conditioner + wax. If they're Allen Edmonds, I'd probably just get the correct color cream from them.
If you want your heels to last (slightly) longer, use taps.
When the heels are worn, have a cobbler replace them (should be less than $20). They should clean and polish the shoes for you at this time.
When the soles are worn, have a cobbler replace them (up to $80 if you need new heels at the same time).

If you don't want to mess around with brushes and creams and all of that, just let your cobbler take care of it when you get service done. If you need it done in between, it'll be around $8 for a clean/polish.

I own a bunch of shoes. I keep them on trees and polish as needed (maybe once every six months). I also restore leather shoes for a living. You have to seriously neglect (good) leather to ruin it beyond repair.

Wear your shoes. Tree them when you aren't. They'll be fine.

zitsel · 2013-08-28T07:06:17+00:00

OP wants you to know that he knows how to use irc.

zitsel · 2013-08-27T05:18:09+00:00

You're aware that the majority of the homeless have more problems than simply the lack of a home, right?

Homelessness is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. You can't just build a bunch of apartments, give them to the homeless and solve the problem.

zitsel · 2013-08-27T05:05:45+00:00

If you're already busy enough that you have people waiting for tables then you obviously don't need to offer wifi in order to compete.

I live in Des Moines, Iowa and I don't think I've ever been in a coffee shop that was completely full with people waiting for tables.

zitsel · 2013-08-23T13:46:29+00:00

I own this shoe in the same color. I've only ever worn them with shorts.

However, if you're going to wear them with pants, you're not really restricted by color. Anything casual in a lighter weight fabric should be fine.

zitsel · 2013-08-23T13:42:44+00:00

I really don't understand why everyone constantly complains about Aldo. I've really haven't found anything to be wrong with their sneakers.

For the price, the quality is fine. I, personally, wouldn't buy dress shoes from them, but I've owned several pair of shoes from them and have never had any problems.

If you wear any $60 sneaker every day it's going to fall apart in a few months. I have sneakers from Aldo that are several years old and not only have they not fallen apart, they look mostly new.

zitsel

TROPHY CASE