Author Topic: Women's dress shoes  (Read 7921 times)

kaedwa

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Women's dress shoes
« on: May 22, 2013, 03:33:35 PM »
Can any of the women mustachians out there recommend a brand of high quality leather dress shoes?  (preferably American made)  I was a Frye fan for years, but their quality has been slipping lately.

domestix

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2013, 03:54:37 PM »
I love Gentle Souls a higher end line by Kenneth Cole. They are very pricey but well made and lined with something like calfskin so are very soft and comfortable.  I wear them for work only and switch them up for getting to work/lunch break outside.

kaedwa

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2013, 09:30:30 PM »
Thanks Domestix!  Anyone else want to weigh in?

FlorenceMcGillicutty

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 116
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2013, 09:35:27 PM »
I'm not sure where they're made but I like Cole Haan. I wear the Nike air pumps and flats. I also like Born for boots. Neither brand is as pricy as Frye but I think they wear well and are good quality. You can also find the, on sale.

olivia

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 770
  • From Consumerism to Minimalism
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2013, 10:05:48 PM »
I'm not sure where they're made but I like Cole Haan. I wear the Nike air pumps and flats. I also like Born for boots. Neither brand is as pricy as Frye but I think they wear well and are good quality. You can also find the, on sale.

Ditto Cole Haan-they're very well made and comfortable.  However, they're not made in the US, unfortunately.  I agree that Frye has been slipping, which is a bummer!  One brand that's made in the USA that could work is Munro American.  They do have some dressy styles, although it depends on how dressy you need.  (They tend towards the casual.)

Snow White

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 171
  • Location: Texas
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2013, 08:52:03 PM »
I don't know where they are made but Clark shoes work well for my feet and tend to last a lonf time and wear very well.  I have more Clarks than any other shoe brand.  Definitely not American made but I like Born and Danskos too.

killingxspree

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 93
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2013, 08:46:15 AM »
Naturalizer...? I'm not sure if they are made in the US though... but they are expensive though.

kaedwa

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 7
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2013, 03:21:05 PM »
Thanks ladies, these are great recommendations.  I don't mind a more expensive brand if the shoes will last for years. 

I'll try to remember to update this thread after I try your recommendations and find a new favorite brand.

thefrugaltwo

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 22
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2013, 01:36:28 PM »
I'd go to any shoe store that has a reputation for quality, look for brands like Camper, Worishofer, Born, Bass, etc if you're looking online (which is always cheaper). When you choose the actual style you will be doing yourself a huge favor if you consider how easily it can be resoled, as that will be necessary at some point no matter how nice the shoes. Going for a pump or flat with a plain black sole, for example, will be cheaper/easier to replace than some weird cork or wooden style heel with a flesh toned rubber bottom, etc. Is it a high heel type shoe? If so, check out the shape of the heel, is it a standard shape you've seen many times? Great! A cobbler (or you) won't have trouble replacing the little part that goes through the center of the spike. Is it a crazy shape/design? Obviously this will make it an expensive custom cobbling job that may or may not be possible to replicate the original.

(credentials: I worked retail for about 8 years, mostly selling shoes)

MsGuided

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1033
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2013, 02:16:56 PM »
I'm a Dansko lover, but they are generally not dressy.  I will be needing to wear dressy/professional pumps again for the first time in years.  Im dreading it & will be on the lookout for something classy looking but VERY comfortable.  First off, I have foot problems, secondly, I will not be a slave to heels.  Any other suggestions for pumps would be great.

Hadilly

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 483
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2013, 02:26:51 PM »
La Canadienne makes fabulous boots and shoes. Assembled in Canada. They are not inexpensive, but last and last. A pair of knee boots I bought eight years ago is still going strong.  6PM.com frequently has them on sale.

I also really like Wolky (believe they are made in Mexico). Those are great because you can remove the insoles and drop in orthotics. Try the Passion or Argentina model.

Pumps: Wolky,  LC and I have a pair of Beautifeel that are pretty good. You might like Cole Haan with Nike Airtech.

Vintage Shoe Company is made in the US, great for boots, but not sure about other styles.

starbuck

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 400
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Small Town Connecticut
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2013, 03:32:53 PM »
I will be needing to wear dressy/professional pumps again for the first time in years.  Im dreading it & will be on the lookout for something classy looking but VERY comfortable.  First off, I have foot problems, secondly, I will not be a slave to heels.  Any other suggestions for pumps would be great.

I gave up on heels a few years ago. The last time I wore them was in my best friend's wedding, and I trouble straightening out my toes at the end of the night. So I decided that was that, and now I'm all flats, all the time. I even wore flats with my wedding dress! There are so many options for dressy flats it's almost too easy. Just make sure your pants hem is short enough when wearing flats. Stepping on the hem of too-long pants really ruins the professional look. :)

Xtal

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 96
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2013, 03:46:15 PM »
Seconding Clarks.  Great quality, comfortable, and cute (if not the absolute height of style).

MsGuided

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1033
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2013, 01:11:00 AM »
I am writing down the brands you all suggested.  Thanks.  Especially the ones that allow orthotics.  I am super short, so flats would be a new thing for me (in the workforce only), but I've been thinking about just embracing my height.     

pumpkinlantern

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 76
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2013, 06:50:19 PM »
I'm also a Cole Haan fan for dress shoes.  I've got a beautiful pair of black heels that go with everything and are beautifully made and extremely comfortable.  I've worn for years and I still get compliments about them.  Just got the heel repaired and planning to use them for many more years to come.

For work flats, I think Clarks is a good option.  They are sturdy and last a long time.  Their styles aren't quite as fashionable, but you can usually find something that looks nice enough.

Elaine

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 465
  • Age: 36
  • Location: NYC
    • Small Things Good
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2013, 07:17:16 PM »
I like Dansko's, Ecco, and Frye, they are expensive but to me foot (and back) health is worth it. I've had spinal and rib surgeries so excellent shoes are something I will not scrimp on. I look for something that is fantastic for you, but also lasts a very long time. Go for old brands, look for styles that can easily be re-soled. Only buy real leather, condition it to be water resistant (a $10 can of stuff will do this), it's worth it. I'm a dancer and have crazy muscular feet, I break through shoe soles like it's my job so wimpy glued together shoes don't work long for me. I think about the price per wear, not the initial expense, I can buy $40 shoes every season ($160 a year) or $250 shoes that I can keep for 5-8 years.   

chicagomeg

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1196
Re: Women's dress shoes
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2013, 07:32:21 PM »
La Canadienne makes fabulous boots and shoes. Assembled in Canada. They are not inexpensive, but last and last. A pair of knee boots I bought eight years ago is still going strong.  6PM.com frequently has them on sale.

I also really like Wolky (believe they are made in Mexico). Those are great because you can remove the insoles and drop in orthotics. Try the Passion or Argentina model.

Pumps: Wolky,  LC and I have a pair of Beautifeel that are pretty good. You might like Cole Haan with Nike Airtech.

Vintage Shoe Company is made in the US, great for boots, but not sure about other styles.

Thanks for the 6pm.com recommendation; I got a pair of $60 heels for $17.70. They probably won't last forever, but I just leave them at my desk at work, so they'll be fine for a few years.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!