Minimalist tendencies, wardrobe needs

[OnTheEllipse]

I have a specific question and a general question.

Specifiically, I'd like to invest in a nice pair of shoes. I own a single black suit, a single black sport coat and a couple pairs of charcoal, dressy-ish slacks. I have two pairs of black dress shoes I don't particularly like. I do have a decent selection of nice shirts. I'd like to purchase some decent brown oxfords, but I'm guessing, given the rest of my wardrobe, they wouldn't well. For the sake of versatility...to expand the function if this small wardrobe with the least amount of items...what would be the one or two smart purchases to make? Blue/grey sport coat? Brown oxfords?

More generally, what are the staples? Before you become alarmed, I'm 33 and work in "the music industry", so the number of occasions per year that require this sort of attire can probably be counted on two hands, but they are becoming more frequent. For a dilettante such as myself, please help me take the appropriate steps towards a proper wardrobe; a proper wardrobe smaller than my girlfriends.

[OnTheEllipse]

Apologies for typos. Punched out on an iPhone while enjoying an Oskar Blues Imperial Red at lunch. Your listening has helped me pass the awkward solo time. Thanks in advance.

[Noteddy]

Brown oxfords would not be out of place with a black suit except in the most formal of occasions. I like the idea of a soft grey jacket. It would take some of the severity out of the black wardrobe. I like black myself, but it is lately considered more formal. At least in a suit.

[OnTheEllipse]

Brown oxfords would not be out of place with a black suit except in the most formal of occasions.

really? i feel like everything I've heard suggests the contrary.

[Ben]

really? i feel like everything I've heard suggests the contrary.

I agree with you, OTE. I really like English tan shoes with a black suit (and the right shirt and tie), but it's a more casual look.

[Ben]

If your goal is genuinely to buy as little as you can, and to buy once and for all (or at least once for the next 20 years), I say Allen-Edmonds Park Avenues in black.


They may not be on the leading edge of fashion, but they are something much, much better from your perspective -- they're timeless.
They will be appropriate for any event where you are called upon to dress up, from business meetings to weddings to funerals to meeting the President (who will probably be wearing them, too).
They will be perfectly acceptable with anything you need to wear them with, from patterned slacks to evening wear.
You will have them forever and never regret buying them. I know I haven't.

[Noteddy]

[QUOTE=Ben;356860]If your goal is genuinely to buy as little as you can, and to buy once and for all (or at least once for the next 20 years), I say Allen-Edmonds Park Avenues in black.

Couldn't agree more with the sentiment. My (older) cole Haan's are on their fourth set of soles. (the newer ones are a bit hit and miss, but they still fit me better than anything else.). But I noted that you didn't like the black shoes you already have. Depends on why. Find the right ones and treat them well.

I'm old. And old school, so I struggle with the brown shoe problem. But this seems to be a non issue now a-days.

[OnTheEllipse]

But I noted that you didn't like the black shoes you already have. Depends on why.

They're simply of poor quality. Not to mention, they're square toed, which I'm now self conscious of, thanks to this subforum.