Professional Dress Help

**McMathTX** · 8th May 08, 04:37 AM

As one who travels to DC a couple of times a year, I'll say that the advice offered to date is spot on.

No one has mentioned socks. This is a minor point to some, but one that gave me great consternation in my early years. I only buy black. This avoids confusion when your in an early morning fog, especially if you've been out late the night before (if you know what I mean). I like padded or reinforced toes and heels. They are more comfortable if you're on your feet all day, and just plain last longer.

Keep everything clean and pressed and you'll do fine.

Dean

**McMurdo** · 8th May 08, 04:39 AM

If you need a nice pair of Brown shoes

Here is the link
http://www.kennethcole.com/scripts/s...rcharg=&size=0

**Rex_Tremende** · 8th May 08, 04:40 AM

It's kind of hard to tell without seeing the whole shoe, but I'd recommend the second one. The third one looks too squared-off, and I don't think that's going to serve you well over the long-haul (beyond this summer). And yes, I'd not go with that loafer for the WH.

Regards,
Rex.

**Rex_Tremende** · 8th May 08, 04:44 AM

This is the only loafer I'd recommend for the WH and any executive suite.

Regards,
Rex.

**berserkbishop** · 8th May 08, 04:45 AM

Thanks guys! I may order the "Merge" model in brown and black. They are down to around $75 from $165

. Seems like a good deal to me!

BB

**berserkbishop** · 8th May 08, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

This is the only loafer I'd recommend for the WH and any executive suite.

Regards,
Rex.

Those are most definelty not my style. I only like tassels on my sporrans

BB

**McMurdo** · 8th May 08, 04:48 AM

The Brown Merge is down to $49.98 but you have to buy it online

**robthehiker** · 8th May 08, 05:35 AM

The other gentlemen have provided excellent advice. I'd add that you should avoid the extreme ends of fashion for things like suits and shoes. If you buy quality products they can last you for years while remaining in style. You can keep your overall look current and stylish with things like ties and shirts whose fashions tend to change more quickly.

When on a budget it's an excellent idea to keep your entire wardrobe in mind when you're making purchases. If you see some great shoes in brown just bear in mind that you'll need an appropriate belt and socks and a suit or jacket/pants... You get the picture.

Good luck!

**JerseyLawyer** · 8th May 08, 05:40 AM

Okay, I should duck and cover for what I'm about to say, but in my opinion, the most important thing about a man's dress is his shoes. In fact, I've read at least one book that says if you are just starting out, and have $600 to spend on an outfit, you should spend half of it on a good pair of shoes.

I don't know that you need to be that extreme, exactly. Though if you buy a pair of black cap toe oxfords from Allen-Edmonds or Alden's, they'll last a lifetime. Johnston & Murphy is less expensive, but still good.

DC is a pretty conservative town, dress-wise, from what I've seen, and if you're working for the White House, even more so. I'd go with a very traditional pair of shoes. I'd still suggest the cap-toe, and whatever you buy should be (okay, sorry if this is silly to say) made of leather, and have a leather sole. Rubber soled shoes are really not dressy.

I don't know about the Kenneth Cole shoes... something about them looks somehow wrong to me. The brown pair almost looks like pleather, though I'm sure (or I hope!) it's not.

**JerseyLawyer** · 8th May 08, 05:45 AM

Oh, and by the way - there are still people who will tell you that brown shoes are not appropriate for the office. I think that's pretty much nonsense, unless you work somewhere that's extremely formal. But if you're looking for your one and only pair of shoes, then I'd lean heavily to black.