I live with someone who loves shoes. On second thought, I don’t know if it’s the shoes so much as shopping for the shoes that’s the drug.
I don’t like shopping for anything. If I must shop for something, I’ll try to do as much recon on the front end as I can to minimize the time I have to spend in a store. Research the item online, and if I can’t buy it online, find out who sells it locally and make sure they have what I need in stock. Finally, make a quick, surgical strike on the B&M location and procure what I need.
Clothing is tough, because unless you’re buying sweatpants, you almost always have to visit a clothing store to try on a shirt or pair of pants before you buy it. Even items that’re marked as your size can vary between manufacturer and even make. So, when I find a brand I like and figure out what sizes I need, I stick with that brand as much as possible.
Which brings me to shoes. My two favorite brands for dress casual are Born and Ecco. They’re both well-made and extremely comfortable, two characteristics that outweigh fashion in my estimation (though they don’t look terrible). I’ve been looking at the latest offerings from each company for about the last week, and I’ve narrowed my search to the following models. Ideally, the shoe I choose will make a smooth, stylish transition from the office to the street. I welcome any and all feedback.
