My experience is exactly the same regarding dress shoes.

I bought my first pair in 1995. I was reluctant to spend $255 on a pair of shoes, which is what they cost at the time. My model currently retails for $325, btw. I have a difficult foot to fit. I have a very wide foot with a very high arch. I need a shoe in a EE or preferably EEE in a size 10, with a lot of arch support.

Most dress shoes, especially the Cole Hawn type slip ons or the the Italian type shoes have no arch support in the insole at all. They are completely flat and have the thinnest of leather soles.

Based on a co-worker's recommendation, I broke down and tried a pair of Allen Edmonds on at the local Nordstrom, and the 10EEE fit like a glove. I had never worn a shoe before that fit so perfectly.

I can never wear another dress shoe.

I still have that original pair, the Sanford model, a cap toe with the medallion, and have recrafted them twice at a cost of about $80-ish.

I now have a pair of dress casual slipons, black wing tips, and burnished leather casual lace ups.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Here's a couple of shoe tidbits.

Quality. In early eighties, I was living in NC near Pinehurst. There was a small shoe repair shop that was highly recommended. I remember the old guy lecturing me about how the quality of the shoes he was asked to repair had basically gone to hell. He was showing me why my Florsheims were junk. Cork in the sole. That was then, imagine what is inside the typical shoe now days.

Fit. I walked into a very nice department store in Columbus OH, years ago.
As I strolled into the shoe department the shoe came up to me an said, "Your shoes don't fit" I accepted his challenge and sure enough he was correct. I had always worn 12 1/2 Narrow or B. He fit me in 13 A or B depending on the last.

Shoe Lasts. Lasts are the mold that shoes are made around. When you find a style that fits perfectly you can ask for the last number. Then you can look at other styles made on the same last. I believe I am correct in stating that the the Allen Edmunds site lists the last for each style.

If you have extremely wide or extremely narrow feet, then you will always wear fairly expensive shoes, because nothing else fits.

Steve

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72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

I was barefoot when I got my job, 10 years ago.

I rarely wear any shoe, other than clogs.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Just saw this thread the other day which got me thinking. J & M and Allen Edmonds are like Mercedes shoes. Made to go the long haul and be rebuilt over and over again. And they look great doing it. Sure, cheap $60 shoes might look just as good to the casual observer. You can even argue that they also get the job done. But after a year or two of regular use they are ready for the trash.

I have always bought Johnston & Murphy but over the weekend caught a great deal on sale at Nordstrom. I got these: Allen Edmonds Park Avenue in black. Looking forward to the next 20 years of service...

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

I have a pair like that...

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I am grateful to be a mechanic.

Last interview I wore a Target polo shirt, clean dark Levis, and Dr. Martens, arrived by W126. Outshined the interviewer who was in cargo pants, hawaiian shirt, flipflops, and driving a 1970 Beetle, wouldn't you say?

Above average income and the work clothes arrive every Friday morning, clean and pressed. Glad I'm not, pardon the pun, in your shoes.

four pair of very high quality wingtips in the closet which i havent worn in about six years.

currently wearing two pairs of merrills and one pair of clarks. they really dont look very formal though.

formality in the work place seems pretty much out the window today. my newest client was wearing shorts, a t shirt, and a baseball cap when he hired me.

but i had on my camel hair sports jacket, a pressed dress shirt with no tie and my dockers.

if going to a wedding with a tux i would bring out a black pair of wingtips.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Ahh - you have been to Jackson

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)