I don't generally think it's fair to pick on people who aren't really playing the whole clothing game. However, I must admit that it saddens me to see shoes like the two below becoming the standard idea of dress shoes. I don't think people need to buy Aldens or anything but a even a plain lace-up is infinitely more alive than these drab, lifeless things.

I think whoever designs these things must be the most cynical clothes designer ever. S/he must know something about shoes, must understand what shoes can look like but goes ahead and make these which flatter no one's feet. I mean, as much as we can make fun of those pointy shoes or those squared-off Kenneth Cole things, you can see how someone else might find them interesting or even good-looking. There's an effort there, even if we disagree whether the effort resulted in anything worthwhile. These just depress me, which means I get depressed a lot b/c I see them constantly, often on the feet of people who otherwise have the money and the wherewithal to know better.

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B001N09LLU/sr=1-5/qid=1234558049/ref=sr_1_5/187-5029403-0852109?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=397939011

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B001N07TIC/sr=1-10/qid=1234558049/ref=sr_1_10/187-5029403-0852109?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=397939011