I think it would be easier for me to list the shoes I like. I don't think shoes are generally supposed to represent a locus of celebration or adornment unless one is a dancer or in a musical comedy. I like plain black or dark brown calf lace up oxfords for work, maybe an occasional suede or lighter brown calf shade for casual and an occasional penny loafer, tassle or non- tassled slip on. A spectator or white suede shoe doesn't bother me but their use seems to dwindle. I suppose I could wear a suede chukka, or a brown Chelsea boot with a jacket or perhaps a pebble grained lace up. With a few exceptions that do not come to mind, most of the other shoes and leather are a complete waste of time.

Any grey loafers with fake gold buckles - very popular at Marks & Spencers in the mid-80's.  A sure sign that the wearer will be sporting a fake Rolex with diamonds encrusted at each hour sign and will have purchased his wife on a vacation in Thailand from one of the no hand bars, or some other syphillitic brothel that attracts a certain kind of English "gent".

Tassel loafers always remind me of TSC in their prime - Cafe Blue to Our Favourite Shop period.  I'm going to purchase a new pair before going on my Italian vacation the end of August.   

Trainers/snickers of any kind are a sartorial dead end in my opinion.

Last edited by John Rotten (2009-07-27 06:22:43)

Gucci loafers.

Driving loafers.

Those Italian loafers with a low vamp -like slippers - that were popular in the 1980s

All saddle shoes apart from my Footjoy golf shoes with spikes in the soles. I now put shoe trees in them when I am not wearing them - which I would have never done before I read clothes forums.

Having just seen the Foster website I now think their Balmoral boots are really nice. They have proper lace holes all the way up. Good value too compared to the C&J originals. If they were in a sale I would be tempted to get a pair.

Another vote against tassel loafers.