jlents

Hey NYC, I have an emergency question on shoes(yes a man asking for tips on shoes)....I will be in NYC for a business meeting, and will soon be moving there. I am in the jewelry business, and I am always in a suit. Problem is, I know there is lots of walking, but my shoes I wear with my suit are too expensive and too precious(can you tell i love my shoes?) to get chewed up by the grueling pavement. I have been to NYC a few times, but surprisingly have never paid any attention to people in suits, and the shoes they wear. Do they wear tennis shoes and change them when they get to their place of work or is there a secret shoe that the rest of the world doesnt know about that looks good with dress. Need help fast! thanks again everyone. JL

Ryan

I alternate between 3 pairs of shoes. If have them shined often and replace the soles when needed, you can have them last for several years. Ask the guys in your office where they go. $3 to $4 per shine is the typical cost, before tip.

I'll usually buy shoes from Nordstrom or higher end shoe brands like Johnston & Murphy. A better quality shoe will last longer, make the extra cost well worth it.

I've rarely seen someone that I'd think of as a professional wearing sneakers with their suit. It isn't an image that I think most professionals want to convey. In many NYC industries, image does matter.

In the winter, don't wear the good shoes in the snow. Some choose shoe rubbers. I'll usually wear a pair of boots and leave a pair of shoes in the office.

In terms of wearing out your shoes, I think you may be overestimating how much walking most people do. Most people that walk to work, probably walk less than a mile or two. 20 blocks is about 1 mile. You'd have to want to avoid using mass transit to walk much more than that on a everyday basis.

sunny16

My husband has a couple of pairs of Rockports that feel like sneakers but look like dress shoes. Zappos.com can give you an idea of what's out there:

http://tinyurl.com/dbzjn

Just surf through those pages to see a bunch of different dressy, comfortable shoes.

nytraveler

I can;t imagine anone being willing to buy high end jewelry from a man who comes to work wearing a suit and tennis shoes.

(It's different if this is the sort of artsy/craftsy jewelry).

If your office (?) does business cas then Rockports are OK - but most opt for good quality loafers.

If this is a job that requires a suit you need to wear real shoes too to be taken seriously. Unless you having them handmade in London - just wear them, take good care of them - and throw them out when they're done. After all - how much do shoes really cost?

Be sure you have at least 3/4 decent pair so you can rotate and let them dry thoroughly between use.

Ond of the previous posters is right - you may walk a couple of miles a day - you're not climbing K2 in them.

mclaurie

Agree with what's been said. Women are much more likely to wear comfortable/tennis shoes for walking and change when they get to work. Men never do except in winter with snow. Wear GOOD shoes. Make sure they're shined.

LoveItaly

Hijlents, using shoe trees for your shoes would be a good idea also.

MikeT

There's no reason that anyone--man or woman--should wear tennis shoes to walk in business clothes. There are lots of shoes made to be both comfortable and business-like. The important thing is to balance function and form.

GoTravel

Agree with the above. Don't ruin the lines of a nice suit with improper shoes.

Good shoes will hold up.