Professional Dress Help

**berserkbishop** · 8th May 08, 09:59 PM

What do you all think of these

I dont know if I am quite understanding the importance of having a leather sole. . . or am finding that as an option on many shoes.

Also, how do I know what width my foot is? I have never bought shoes that really got specific in width, probably because I have never bought expensive shoes. Is there an average witdth? I am comfortable in any department store shoes as far as width is concerned.

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**berserkbishop** · 8th May 08, 11:30 PM

Anyone have experience with Mezlan? They keep coming up in my search for good dress shoes. This pair has leather soles and is really resonably priced.

**Rex_Tremende** · 9th May 08, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

What do you all think of these

I dont know if I am quite understanding the importance of having a leather sole. . . or am finding that as an option on many shoes.

That's a really nice, classic shoe. If you take care of them, they will last you for a long time and take you into any office situation with confidence.

The leather sole telegraphs more elegance and attention to detail - maybe it's the difference between a Lexus and a Camry. I tend to feel that they can be maintained longer than rubber soled shoes, but I had some Vibram soles on my olive suede wingtips completely replaced once, too, so it may just be my prejudices speaking.

I wouldn't sweat it so much. Young people can be given considerably more leeway than some of us more seasoned guys, particularly when they are summer interns, so find a pair of shoes that you like without being too trendy (square toes are trendy, IMO). Depending on what you are going to be doing on your assignment, say standing at the copier for hours or running down the block twice a day for Starbucks, you may want to shop for comfort as much as style.

A general rule of thumb at the office is to dress at the level to which you aspire. Like it or not, your shoes are a clue to others what that is.

On the question of the width of your feet, you sound "average" if you don't worry about it when you buy shoes off the rack without any trouble. But to be sure, go into any good shoe store and ask to be measured. No charge for that.

Regards,
Rex.

**berserkbishop** · 9th May 08, 04:09 AM

I think this is my last question. . . Maybe. . . Would wingtips be as appropriate as a cap toe oxford. I am asking because I have seen some pretty good deals on high quality used shoes, but rarely in cap toes.

**Rex_Tremende** · 9th May 08, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

I think this is my last question. . . Maybe. . . Would wingtips be as appropriate as a cap toe oxford. I am asking because I have seen some pretty good deals on high quality used shoes, but rarely in cap toes.

I think they would. I've been looking for an excellent pair of wingtips that I could afford. It never occurred to me to look for a pair that's already been broken in.

By the way, not to increase your stress or anything, but it occurred to me that there's something else that will serve you well in DC: an excellent haircut.

Washingtonians are a completely different breed. A few weeks ago, my office affinity group attended a cocktail party here in Cincinnati where someone from a major PAC headquartered in DC was going to speak. Without knowing who he was, it was easy to pick him out of the room.

I'm not exactly saying they're clones or anything, but...

Regards,
Rex.

**berserkbishop** · 9th May 08, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

I think they would. I've been looking for an excellent pair of wingtips that I could afford. It never occurred to me to look for a pair that's already been broken in.

By the way, not to increase your stress or anything, but it occurred to me that there's something else that will serve you well in DC: an excellent haircut.

Washingtonians are a completely different breed. A few weeks ago, my office affinity group attended a cocktail party here in Cincinnati where someone from a major PAC headquartered in DC was going to speak. Without knowing who he was, it was easy to pick him out of the room.

I'm not exactly saying they're clones or anything, but...

Regards,
Rex.

I took about 5 inches off of my hair about a week ago. dont know if my profile shows it very well, but heres a pic of my hair currently.

I dont know that it is an "excellent" haircut, but it is an improvement in professionalism over my old shaggy hair. I will trim it a bit shorter right before I leave.

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**JerseyLawyer** · 9th May 08, 04:37 AM

A leather sole is thinner and more elegant, and therefore dressier, than a rubber sole. Of course, there's also a greater possibility of slipping (if you buy new leather soled shoes, after you make sure they fit, wear them outside and scuff up the soles a bit on the sidewalk so you get some traction. New ones are slick! Try them on on the carpet first, though, because they have to be like new to send them back if they don't fit.)

Wingtips are slightly less dressy than cap toes. The general rule is that the less broguing (holes punched in the leather) a shoe has, the more formal it is. You'll notice that tuxedo shoes are very plain, for example. However, wingtips are a standard for business wear, and you'd be just fine with them. If you ever become president and need to wear a morning suit, though, you'll need the plain oxfords.

**Jack Daw** · 9th May 08, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

I think this is my last question. . . Maybe. . . Would wingtips be as appropriate as a cap toe oxford. I am asking because I have seen some pretty good deals on high quality used shoes, but rarely in cap toes.

Yup! Wingtips are very nice as a dress/business shoe!

**gilmore** · 12th May 08, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

...
A general rule of thumb at the office is to dress at the level to which you aspire. Like it or not, your shoes are a clue to others what that is. ...

I would add to this that it might be wise to wait until you get there and are on the job before buying too many things, so you can take a look at what others are wearing, in order to get your bearings.

There is a difference between being dressed correctly and being dressed appropriately. It is possible that you could follow the best advice in the world and show up looking very out of place for the situation in which you find yourself. (And at the Bush White House, who knows.... Cowboy boots?)

**berserkbishop** · 13th May 08, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by gilmore

I would add to this that it might be wise to wait until you get there and are on the job before buying too many things, so you can take a look at what others are wearing, in order to get your bearings.

There is a difference between being dressed correctly and being dressed appropriately. It is possible that you could follow the best advice in the world and show up looking very out of place for the situation in which you find yourself. (And at the Bush White House, who knows.... Cowboy boots?)

I agree with that whole heartedly. I have recieved a general overview of expected dress code from the Senators office, however, and am doing my best to prepare accordingly. I dont know what my opportunities will look like as far as time, money, and transportation are concerened when I get to DC so I would like to have most everything squared away prior to starting my internship.

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