OH, ALDO!
June 14th, 2006, 3:15 pm · 23 Comments · posted by Sam Mittelsteadt
It’s come to this: You get to pick which pair of shoes I should buy. They’re from the same store (Aldo) and the price difference is only $10.
(The surprising winner below!)The brown Julianus loafer at left reminded me of classic driving moccasins, but then I think I’d start yearning for a nice new roadster to drive while wearing them. And the Dyonisius sport sneaker at right … well, it’s just cool, even if I think the whole Diesel-inspired sport sneaker trend is at maximum saturation right now, and plus I have a friend whose real first name is Dionysius, so it’s sort of a sign from the retail gods I should have them, right? (Or maybe it’s a sign he should have them. My reception can be a bit murky sometimes.)And then I found this shoe, which I think combines the best of both shoes. And it was on sale. For $48 and change. So although I’d never ordered shoes online before — so many sizing issues! — these Tumble shoes by J. Norse now are sitting in one of my shoe racks. … There are a few pairs left at Goclothing.com, but only in sizes 11 or 12.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Pick the brown slip ons, unless you are a Superhero.
June 15th, 2006 at 10:30 am
I choose the white pair
June 15th, 2006 at 11:10 am
I’m going to go with the white pair, since they look just different enough, without being too out there. (Though I worry about the cleanliness factor on white shoes, but that is just the burned-out mommy brain cells talking …)
June 15th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Tough choice without knowing WHY you want the shoes. With such details unknown, I choose the loafer, which could be worn indoors and out, casual and formal, with or without socks (should you choose to finally express your Don Johnson persona after all these years).
June 15th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
tough choice, good options. Dyonisius is good for working at the computer and in a casual office. Julianus drips w/ Med styling. yes, you will need roadster — and a three-day weekend — for those. take ‘em both!
June 15th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
I think you should return the madras golf outfit you just bought and get both pairs of shoes instead.
June 15th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
…I’m diggen’ the white kicks! Go for the sneakers!
June 15th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
The white shoes–they’re sassy.
June 15th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
The price difference is “only” $10? I could eat at Taco Bell five times for that much. However, since I don’t know which ones cost less, I’ll say go for the white ones. I like the idea of dressing like a superhero.
June 15th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Ok, I like the sneaker but the loafer is far more practical. God I sound boring. I’d have to see inside your shoe closet to make a final choice.
June 15th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
Whats with people loving the sneaker! Go for the classic brown Julianus loafer. First off you should ALWAYS go classic when in doubt. After all classics are a staple to any wardrobe. Leather looks better and smells better…need I say more. Years from now when you are rifling through pictures do you want to be able to date the pictures by the clown sneakers your wearing????
I don’t think so….but if you must please remember to stop wearing them by September 4th (Labor Day).
June 16th, 2006 at 4:53 am
So many great things in this world are brown-like me! Pick the brown one, more classical looking to me.
June 16th, 2006 at 7:29 am
I suggest you pick the white pair. They are funky and fun looking. The brown pair look like Grandpas old shoes.
June 16th, 2006 at 8:04 am
As someone who knows you, I must suggest that you take a break from sneaker couture (which you already have a market on) and try something new. The loafer is great because it’s casual while retaining some of its traditional formality. Plus, you can go for a “tourist retro” look by pairing it with khaki shorts, black socks and a camera around your neck, for full effect. Or, better yet, you can just pair them with a great pair of indie jeans.
June 16th, 2006 at 8:30 am
I choose the white shoe it seems more modern and hip, compared to the brown shoe which reminds me of an old man.
June 16th, 2006 at 10:52 am
The white ones! They are way cooler, and make you look younger. Plus, they will go well with our triple digits the next 5 months!
June 16th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
The brown ones! They will look better with Arizona red dirt on them than the white ones.
June 16th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
While the sneakers are certainly nice, I think only the brown ones could inspire their wearer to stop in mid-conversation, look down, and proclaim to no-one-in-particular, “I love these shoes!”…Which is - in my humble opinion - the most reliable Barometer when it comes to these sort of things: Are they so good that you’ll interrupt even yourself to say so? Brown driving moc it is.
June 16th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
I just can’t go for the brown grandpa loafer mocs. Sam the Superhero of all things Fashion must have some sassy sneakers. Though the saying is “Slow and steady wins the race,” those mocs are just too slow and too steady. Go Dionysius!
June 16th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
The brown pair, especially as it seems people who know you or have seen you have commented that you are pretty casual in your everyday appearance. I think men do not pay enough attention to their footwear, and it’s nice to see a man wear nice shoes. Tennis shoes (regardless of price) and flip flops (regardless of designer tag) are so passe.
June 16th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
When in doubt, classic gets the nod every time. I’m surprised you’d even consider a shoe called a ’sport sneaker!’ What IS that anyway???
June 17th, 2006 at 11:55 am
The “sport sneaker” likes to pretend it’s going to the gym, but it’s more for show than any actual physical exertion. But that styling lets you wear them with a polo and jeans (or some light cotton khakis — FLAT FRONT, people!) to the office or a dressy-casual dinner. Don’t try that with your Reeboks …
And for the reader who wanted to know who the Nautica Voyage model is (yes, I can see your Google search): It’s Carter Oosterhouse, one of the scads of “hunky carpenters” on TLC home-makeover programs.
June 26th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Soooo….which pair won out? C’mon…dish!