Good Cheap Leather Shoes?

[Rage]

I heard from tucker max on this one podcast he did that there is some research that girls really love guys who wear leather shoes. Like it’s a primary thing they look for or something like that.

Anyway, I had been wanting to get some too, and was wondering if you guys had like any suggestions for a good long lasting, comfortable, cheapish leather shoe. 40-60 dollars preferably in the lower end of that.

I’d like some; I’ve been doing hiking boots that look sorta like that, for a while. They give me like a half inch to an inch of height and make me close to 5’10 or so. And some girls have complimented me on my hiking boots.

But I feel like I could up my shoe game a bit, amongst other fashion, and yeah am looking to do that. I think the step up to that would be getting some good freaking leather shoes!

Let me know what suggestions you guys have… or if any other shoes you prefer over them too I suppose.

Thanks

Gem 

 

[foggy]

I'm a college student and I don't exactly have the money to spend on good leather shoes right now. However, I believe it is true that women easily notice what kind of shoes you are wearing.

I have taken to wearing leather shoes recently. I go to a thrift store and find a pair of leather shoes in good condition that I fancy for 10-15 dollars. They usually last me a few months depending on how well I treat them. If they go down the drain, I go back to the thrift store and pick up another pair of shoes.

One time I found a leather jacket at a thrift store for 15 dollars. It fits me perfect and I've been wearing it for a year. I get compliments on it all the time. Thrift stores are a good place to get things if you are poor. If you go at the right time and are lucky, you can find really good stuff.

 

[PrettyDecent]

Gem,

If you're looking to snag a pair of leather boots, maybe try leather Chelsea boots. They also give you the added benefit of height. Stylish as hell.

Asos.com would probably have what you're looking for. Just go to the Chelsea Boots category in the Men's section, and filter the results from Price: Low to High. They have some cool Chelsea's for the price range you were looking at.

~Nick

 

[Rage]

Backstory

Hey thanks for the feedback man; I'm a bit new to thrift shopping, I only stepped into one for the first time in my life like 6 months ago. I think the one I went to was a particularly seedy one (in a more ghetto part of my college town)... but I do think these places can have hidden gems, lie the possibiltiy for that is definitely tehre. WIll find a good thrift shop to look for some accessories sometime soon I think, thanks!

Nick

Nick thanks a ton!!! these are like exactly what I had in mind. I absolutely love how they look, think I'm gonna save up and get a brown pair and a black pair too. They look awesome man i can't wait

-Gem

 

[Estate]

Hey Gem,

Its not exactly "Oh wow, leather.... nom nom nom"from women. It's about overall appearance.

Good looking leather shoes just pull together an outfit more than a tatty old pair of trainers. It also makes you seem a bit more put together and mature. Kids wear sneakers.
But just fit your overall style. Trainers are fine for casual style too, but they need to be in style and clean!!!!!

Same with leather shoes. In my job, I HAVE to wear leather shoes or it would be unprofessional. But I am amazed at guys I work with who clearly earn good money who wear cheap, worn out or very unflattering clothes and shoes.

For some reason guys love black leather. I assume you'll wear them with jeans so go for brown. Works with everything, black is aweful unless in a suit.
2nd is style... no big thick soles, plasticy/rubbery soles.
If you want "good looking" then comfort is not your primary concern. Look, after you break them in, you'll be snug and comfy but if you have leather shoes you could walk miles in, then they are functional, definitely not stylish.
Nothing "chunky" or boxed or large round toes.
Stylish but understated.

There's plenty advice which counter some points above but this sounds like your first pair that needs to match a lot? If you have multiple pairs you can change it up a little more to suit certain outfits.

TBH, if you want "good". You're starting at $200. I'd look for a pair of Ted Bakers on sale, they'll go for as low as $80.
If you're looking at the $60 range, it's probably fake leather or plasticy, I'd really avoid these and save for a little bit better if this is something you plan to use a lot.

 

[Smith]

Hey Gem,

Agree with Estaste. If you get a really good brown one, then you probably don't even need a black one unless you have some spare cash. I bought a pair of brown leather shoes a few months ago at around $90 US. Thought it was pretty pricey for a student, but now I think it's probably the best investment I've ever done on shoes. It was my first time shopping for leather shoes and I was looking for something that I can wear casually and professionally. It can be quite overwhelming to know what's in fashion and what's not if it's your first time shopping for leather shoes. I kinda had an idea what I was looking for, but it's probably a good idea to bring someone you know who has a pretty good fashion sense along with you.

The one I bought kinda look like this one in terms of style, but the color is slightly different. http://www.deepufashion.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Zara-Grosgrain.jpeg

And I got plenty of compliments on them. It also gave me a little height as well. However, it's not the most comfortable shoes, and I wouldn't wear it if I know I have to walk around a lot on that day.

I also love the Chelsea boots Nick recommend. Gonna save up to get one of those too =)

 

[Estate]

I Like the one's Smith linked to above.

Here are the one's I have bought in the past:
http://www.tedbaker.com/row/Mens/Footwe ... 813-27-TAN

They go for about $180-$200 but they seem to pop up a lot for about $80 on sale around me.
They're slim, polished, stylish but understated enough so I can both wear them to work and also under a nice pair of jeans.

Definitely go brown. Black leather with jeans is a no-no. Really only good with appropriately colored dress pants.
If it's going to be your "go-to" pair, definitely go for a derby or a slim brogue, it'll go with pretty much anything you wear.

Chelsea boots too. Great look.

 

[Rage]

Hey good looking out guys!

I was actually planning on doing the brown leather ones with jeans don’t worry haha!

The black I was also considering maybe adding to purchasing the brown ones so that I wouldn’t have only one color and because they are only 36 bucks and the brown were 81 bucks (I can dip into my protein money a bit to buy these lol).

I could see the brown boots worn really nicely with black jeans, belt, shirt; but I think perhaps the black boots could be worn with blue jeans and like a button down half sleeve of  a nice contrasting color? But I think brown would work for the latter too  likely…

I don’t NEED the black; glad you guys felt the same way and mentioned it to me. I fell in love with the brown and visualize wearing it with some black well-fitting jeans.

…

I like the boots you linked Smith; but love the ones you linked Estate (look the more similar to the ones I was looking at from Nick’s site).

These are the ones I’m leaning on right now http://bit.ly/1IZ7dD3 , looking at all the other ones from Nick’s site I liked these the best by a little bit, they seem alright you guys think?

Ah, I like these too http://bit.ly/1K9mVfZ ... but I feel like I like the chestnut ones (first link) a bit more. My heart is torn lol, which looks better? Will wait a couple days before I go ahead and buy.

Here’s the rest of the catalogue that this was all from http://bit.ly/1Oed0f7

Cheers

Gem