formality of the shoe!

[Algernon]

I wish you the best of luck. If you do get two pairs, I'd suggest that the 'Keats' might look better in a deep dark brown rather than black, if they do a colour like that.

[Chris Rimby]

Thanks, and they do. Several shades of brown in fact!

[luk-cha]

so i guess we can grade by the amount of punching adorned on the shoe then - but what about the difference between the wing tip's and toe cap's?

[JamesT1]

Wingtips, if I'm not mistaken, have always been viewed as more casual while cap toes have been (at least IMO) more of a "business" shoe style.

[luk-cha]

so my next question will be is, what about skin? calf, croc, lizard etc? how does different exotic skin affect formallity?

[Concordia]

Exotic = more heavily adorned <=> less formal. Less serious, anyway.

[luk-cha]

even if it is a plain toe or patent leather too?

[Concordia]

What I mean is that exotic leathers pretty much always have a "busier" finish than plain calf, all else equal. Ostrich, kudu, Russia calf, Irish salmon-- all will have more surface interest than a calfskin of the same color. Even (or especially) if made into a plain-toe or whole-cut.

[luk-cha]

then what about lace position, ie; the normal, side and extreme side lace facing? will this too affect the level of formality?

[stultus77]

by firing off questions on every conceivable variation in shoe design...perhaps a bit of common sense is in order? Consider the shoes (or any other piece in your wardrobe) in the proper context, including the relevant situation and the standards of your own social circle.

I'm hardly a shoe guru, but I would venture to say that, like with everything else comprising a man's wardrobe, the more extreme the design the less likely a shoe is going to be appropriate for certain formal situations. A purple shoe with extreme vamp, stingray skin, florid design, and unusual lacing is obviously not very formal. Similarly, an extreme/unusual element may also render a shoe inappropriate for certain formal situations.


- Daniel