Film Noir Buff Style Forum / Brown shoes don't make it ?

Kingstonian · 2011-06-27 05:07:54

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/ne … 523358.stm

Not what I expected to be discussed on the 'Today' show this morning.

That twerp from 'Top Gear' is now endorsing brown brogues. Linen trousers is also worrying. At least he draws the line at shorts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxODte13OYg

NJS · 2011-06-27 05:17:34

Kingstonian wrote:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9523000/9523358.stm

Not what I expected to be discussed on the 'Today' show this morning.

That twerp from 'Top Gear' is now endorsing brown brogues. Linen trousers is also worrying. At least he draws the line at shorts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxODte13OYg

Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!

And talking of firing squads...Cromps is today displaying another rumpled suit, this time, a navy blue pinstripe, by Timothy Everest, with which he is sporting, yes, you guessed it, brown shoes and this combo really does demonstrate to anyone with any kind of an eye for harmony, why brown shoes and navy blue suits have always been considered an abomination. There is no link because I don't want to encourage the necrophiliac voyeurism which takes me, from time to time, to 'Permanent Style'; the same kind of fascination that used to have me wandering around the catacombs of Highgate old cemetery on open days, peeping through the cracks at the mouldering caskets, and hoping to catch sight of a skull.

Last edited by NJS (2011-06-27 06:38:58)

Big Tony · 2011-06-27 08:59:34

NJS wrote:
Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!

What have you got against Stephen Fry? He's funnier and more interesting than you and his contribution to British comedy/culture (and the country's presence in the world) is substantial.

...this combo really does demonstrate to anyone with any kind of an eye for harmony, why brown shoes and navy blue suits have always been considered an abomination.

That's a laughable opinion and no better than the stuff we criticize the iGents for.

NJS · 2011-06-27 09:10:27

Big Tony wrote:
NJS wrote:
Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!
What have you got against Stephen Fry? He's funnier and more interesting than you and his contribution to British comedy/culture (and the country's presence in the world) is substantial.
...this combo really does demonstrate to anyone with any kind of an eye for harmony, why brown shoes and navy blue suits have always been considered an abomination.
That's a laughable opinion and no better than the stuff we criticize the iGents for.

Huff, harumph, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, HARUMPH!

What have I got against Stephen Fry? - you actually put it rather well above; except I am not sure that he has placed Britain in the world as such.

I stick to my guns on navy blue suits and brown shoes. It is a discordant, finger-up-to-the-world, abomination. Just because iGents might agree with me is no reason, on its own, to demonstrate that the opinion is wrong. For my part, I cite in support:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohxfsFerE6g

Last edited by NJS (2011-06-27 09:45:43)

Fritz the Cat · 2011-06-27 10:05:01

NJS wrote:
Big Tony wrote:
NJS wrote:
Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!
What have you got against Stephen Fry? He's funnier and more interesting than you and his contribution to British comedy/culture (and the country's presence in the world) is substantial.
...this combo really does demonstrate to anyone with any kind of an eye for harmony, why brown shoes and navy blue suits have always been considered an abomination.
That's a laughable opinion and no better than the stuff we criticize the iGents for.
Huff, harumph, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, HARUMPH!

What have I got against Stephen Fry? - you actually put it rather well above; except I am not sure that he has placed Britain in the world as such.

I stick to my guns on navy blue suits and brown shoes. It is a discordant, finger-up-to-the-world, abomination. Just because iGents might agree with me is no reason, on its own, to demonstrate that the opinion is wrong. For my part, I cite in support:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohxfsFerE6g

Isn´t the finger-up-to-the-world attitude what we are sometimes searching for? I do like dark chocolate brown shoes with navy suits, especially if we are speaking of suits of lighter fabric for summer, additionally I think most people won´t even notice. Medium brown shoes are harder for me to picture, but I do not like them at all as a matter of personal taste.

The_Shooman · 2011-06-27 10:21:14

Wearing brown shoos is abit odd looking (not bad looking, but it will stand out), and it does take courage for average men to pull off.

Only special men need bother wearing brown shoos.

Most common men should play it safe and stick to black shoos.

The_Shooman · 2011-06-27 10:24:32

Black shoos to cut a serious business image.

Sammy Ambrose · 2011-06-27 10:57:01

The_Shooman wrote:
Wearing brown shoos is abit odd looking (not bad looking, but it will stand out), and it does take courage for average men to pull off.

Only special men need bother wearing brown shoos.

Most common men should play it safe and stick to black shoos.

Three interesting adjectives here to describe men: average, special and common.

How does one rise above 'average' and 'common' and get to that 'special' category so that we can wear brown shoes with confidence?

4F Hepcat · 2011-06-27 11:28:09

^There was one important category of men missed: the Superman.

K. A. Adams · 2011-06-27 11:43:25

Believe it or not there are people whom wear suits outside of the 'work' environment. I have no problem with them if they do it for day wear.

In fact, I don't really have a problem with it at all except for a very limited set of business contexts like finance or the law - even then, I'm only concerned about the feet of those that are representing me or my interests.

One has to take it case by case based on the context of who's doing it, how well and why.

I don't want to dress like 99.9% of the men that one might see on the Sartorialist but at least the variety keeps one from being bored to death.

(grammar)

Last edited by K. A. Adams (2011-06-27 14:48:57)

formby · 2011-06-27 12:15:16

I prefer black shoes for business and always black shoes for grey suits

I think that rich chestnut colour can work with navy flannel, especially if both have the patina of wear.

Contrast can be a powerful device for drawing the observers eye to something that is beautiful and therefore there's a potential risk.

One also has to consider whether you really want to draw the observers eye to your feet. Is this wise? Probably not in a business context.

Personally I prefer contrast in my ties which are nestled under my mush not in my footwear which is at the wrong end of my body,

Sammy Ambrose · 2011-06-27 12:32:05

Do we have a facility to swap this thread with one from AAAC which is a little bit less inane?

NJS · 2011-06-27 13:48:01

If it's about subversion: I can't think of a single notable subversive who advertized him (or her) self in their dress: As Emerson said: "In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed".

yachtie · 2011-06-27 14:12:09

I hate black shoes. Makes me feel like a preacher or a mortician.

formby · 2011-06-27 14:30:09

yachtie wrote:
I hate black shoes.

...even with Mohair....?

...errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Tony · 2011-06-27 14:41:35

NJS wrote:
Huff, harumph, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, HARUMPH!

What have I got against Stephen Fry?

I have nothing against Clarkson either. He's a loudmouth for sure, but then so many people are and at least he is made a fool of from time to time as he doesn't control his image as much as he should.

Film Noir Buff · 2011-06-27 16:30:11

You know, someone at the office pulled their chair up close to mine-I thought to say something in earnest-but they asked me if it was alright to wear brown shoes with a grey suit. It seemed to him that I was very cutting edge.

I had worn dark brown shoes with a charcoal striped suit and thought nothing of it except that it was a snowy mess outside and if I was going to ruin a pair of shoes it wouldn't be a good black pair. I do prefer black for biz. Occasionally I will wear brown with a dark suit but gone are the days I would wear brown suede with a suit. I am thinking of a nice black suede pair though. Decisions, decisions.

It seems that for casual I wear mostly brown and at work, mostly black. These locations are a state of mind and thus if I go to the office in half-dress or business casual, I wear brown shoes and if I go to a very dressy place in the evening, I might wear black shoes.

If the shoe itself is casual enough, I might wear black with anything. For example, I have a pair of trainers that are lack leather and suede. Theyre not really black shoes, although they are black, but even thus, they are in the brown category.

I dont know that I always notice a man's shoes. I notice when they are very bad quality/design or when there is a high contrast between the shoe and trouser, or the shoes are too much of a conversation piece. I dont like those saddle brown shoes with dark wool suits but I am willing to wear them with linens or cottons and tweeds.

NJS · 2011-06-27 16:46:59

^Big Tony, I don't really have anything against Stephen Fry, except that, like Carol Vorderman, he gets "where water don't get" and all these people mentioned just seem to me to be very self-satisfied and smug.

I don't have anything against brown shoes either; indeed, the pair that Cromps had made by Cleverley look very well made and fitted and knock all his suits into a cocked hat, on that score. I don't think that the colour is great as a toe-cap oxford town-style shoe and, maybe, it's just conditioning/indoctrination but there is something so out of place for me in brown shoes with a navy pinstripe suit: it clashes and shouts too much. As for brown shoes at work: it depends what you do. In certain city jobs, black shoes are expected but, if you are an engineer, architect, or something in that line, brown might be OK. I certainly would not want a lawyer or even a surgeon in brown shoes: maybe it's something to do with confidence and expectations: I don't want to see a lawyer or surgeon who is taking time out 'successfully' to 'break' dress rules, when he/she should be concentrating on my urgent problem. I want 'eyes down, look in.'

Last edited by NJS (2011-06-27 16:49:04)

Kingstonian · 2011-06-27 17:15:16

I don't like navy suits and brahn shoes either. Black shoes are hugely under appreciated.

sttully · 2011-06-27 17:43:57

How about navy suits with oxblood/burgundy? I wore the below shoes today with a solid navy suit.

http://www.leathersoulhawaii.com/wp-con … s/bch4.jpg

Quay · 2011-06-27 18:53:47

Sammy Ambrose wrote:
Do we have a facility to swap this thread with one from AAAC which is a little bit less inane?

Brown shoes are only acceptable if they are Alden or AE, bought at discount, and buffed to a gentleman's sheen whilst watching Tom Clancy movies. Surely everyone knows this.

The_Shooman · 2011-06-27 21:04:54

Sammy Ambrose wrote:
How does one rise above 'average' and 'common' and get to that 'special' category so that we can wear brown shoes with confidence?

A man that looks good and has a style that is attractive to the eye. ln other words...not just an average log wearin' a pair of brown shoos. Many logs around, but not so many guys that have that special something.

Only a log would ask that question Sammy.

meister · 2011-06-27 23:32:04

NJS wrote:
Big Tony wrote:
NJS wrote:
Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!
What have you got against Stephen Fry? He's funnier and more interesting than you and his contribution to British comedy/culture (and the country's presence in the world) is substantial.
...this combo really does demonstrate to anyone with any kind of an eye for harmony, why brown shoes and navy blue suits have always been considered an abomination.
That's a laughable opinion and no better than the stuff we criticize the iGents for.
Huff, harumph, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, HARUMPH!

What have I got against Stephen Fry? - you actually put it rather well above; except I am not sure that he has placed Britain in the world as such.

I stick to my guns on navy blue suits and brown shoes. It is a discordant, finger-up-to-the-world, abomination. Just because iGents might agree with me is no reason, on its own, to demonstrate that the opinion is wrong. For my part, I cite in support:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohxfsFerE6g

Thanks for that YouTube NJS. You don't hear much of that type of British humour any more.

The_Shooman · 2011-06-27 23:36:51

meister wrote:
NJS wrote:
Big Tony wrote:
NJS wrote:
Right line these two up against the wall; put Jimmy Carr on one end and Stephen Fry and Jeremy Clarkson on the other, then: steady, aim, FIRE!
What have you got against Stephen Fry? He's funnier and more interesting than you and his contribution to British comedy/culture (and the country's presence in the world) is substantial.

That's a laughable opinion and no better than the stuff we criticize the iGents for.
Huff, harumph, huff, huff, huff, huff, huff, HARUMPH!

What have I got against Stephen Fry? - you actually put it rather well above; except I am not sure that he has placed Britain in the world as such.

I stick to my guns on navy blue suits and brown shoes. It is a discordant, finger-up-to-the-world, abomination. Just because iGents might agree with me is no reason, on its own, to demonstrate that the opinion is wrong. For my part, I cite in support:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohxfsFerE6g
Thanks for that YouTube NJS. You don't hear much of that type of British humour any more.

So true. lt's all American humour garbage now, and has been since the 90's. l've never watched Seinfeld or Friends or any of these silly shows (listening to the commericals was enough to annoy me), l am a Brit man through and through.

eg · 2011-06-28 05:55:26

I'm more leery of brown shoes with suits (other than tan or maybe blue), but not at all concerned when paired with sportcoats. Figure oxblood goes with just about anything.

Last edited by eg (2011-06-28 05:55:51)

#1 2011-06-27 05:07:54

Brown shoes don't make it ?

#2 2011-06-27 05:17:34

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

Kingstonian wrote:

#3 2011-06-27 08:59:34

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

NJS wrote:

#4 2011-06-27 09:10:27

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

Big Tony wrote:

NJS wrote:

#5 2011-06-27 10:05:01

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

NJS wrote:

Big Tony wrote:

NJS wrote:

#6 2011-06-27 10:21:14

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#7 2011-06-27 10:24:32

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#8 2011-06-27 10:57:01

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

The_Shooman wrote:

#9 2011-06-27 11:28:09

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#10 2011-06-27 11:43:25

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#11 2011-06-27 12:15:16

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#12 2011-06-27 12:32:05

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#13 2011-06-27 13:48:01

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#14 2011-06-27 14:12:09

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#15 2011-06-27 14:30:09

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

yachtie wrote:

#16 2011-06-27 14:41:35

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

NJS wrote:

#17 2011-06-27 16:30:11

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#18 2011-06-27 16:46:59

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#19 2011-06-27 17:15:16

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#20 2011-06-27 17:43:57

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

#21 2011-06-27 18:53:47

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

Sammy Ambrose wrote:

#22 2011-06-27 21:04:54

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

Sammy Ambrose wrote:

#23 2011-06-27 23:32:04

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

NJS wrote:

Big Tony wrote:

NJS wrote:

#24 2011-06-27 23:36:51

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

meister wrote:

NJS wrote:

Big Tony wrote:

NJS wrote:

#25 2011-06-28 05:55:26

Re: Brown shoes don't make it ?

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