Brooks Brothers Velvet Loafers Review

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Weekly Theme: Work Holiday Party

While you could definitely wear your normal black dress shoes with what we’ve picked so far, a holiday party is a great excuse to pull out all of the stops. And if you’re willing to make a big impact, one of those stops could be velvet loafers. Are they flashy? Sure. Are they freaking dope? Absolutely. So channel your inner billionaire and invest in fancy event shoes like these, just make sure to avoid the really drunk folks as velvet and alcohol are great bed-fellows.

Available on BrooksBrothers.com for $298

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Allen Edmonds Cornwallis Dress Oxford

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Shoes are one of the most important elements of any outfit, and when it comes to a formal event like a wedding, picking the ones is crucial. These formal oxfords from Allen Edmonds are perfect for any semi-formal to formal occasion. Their premium leather and high quality construction lends to these shoes looking like new for 5 or more years (based on how well you take care of them). These specific dress oxfords have just the right amount of detailing on the toe to draw attention without yelling it, and the sole is rubber rather than leather meaning you won't slip into a deeper split than planned on the wedding dance floor. The classic styling will surely turn these into your formal wear staple for years.

Available on AllenEdmonds.com for $425

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Allen Edmonds Corsico Italian Dress Shoe

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If you are looking to replace your standard, go-to brown dress shoe, then look no further than the Corsico from Allen Edmonds. These shoes are hand crafted from Italian leather. Designed to be simple, with just enough detail to look as good as they feel, these daily office foot cushions are a must-have. Formal enough for weddings, the office, and the occasional garden party, should you be in a circle friends or family that is so inclined to throw a few, these leather foot protectors are up for a wide range of challenges. They go perfectly with all your navy suits and trousers, and can be pairs with medium and light gray, giving you plenty of wear options.

Available on AllenEdmonds.com for $325 

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Johnston & Murphy Cartwright Cap Toe Dress Shoes

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"Oxfords not Brogues" a man once said. That man was Colin Firth playing the ever-daring Harry Hart in Kingsman Secret Service (this generation's take on the Bond epics that is quite good). These J&Ms are indeed oxfords. While they do have some added stitching on the toe to for the "cap" there is no brogueing, making them more formal and more suitable for work and dinner attire. One note on these bad boys, you'll note they are cheaper than Allen Edmonds, this is because 1. they are made outside of the states, and 2. they are cemented together where AE's are sewn. Cementing doesn't last as long but they can be re-soled more easily, so the choice is yours. These specific shoes are what J&M calls Bourdeaux, or what we call cordovan, or what normal people call maroon. They go with brighter blue and navy suits, as well as dark to light gray ones. We find you can wear these with the largest variety of suit colors, so if you are thinking about another pair of shoes and you already have a black and a medium brown, go for the Bordeaux/cordovan/maroon.

Available on sale at JohnstonMurphy.com for $200 (on sale from $275)

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Johnston & Murphy Cormac Cap Toe

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Most people know about good ol' J&M. They are a standard mid-tier every-man's "nice" dress shoe. What you need to know is they have tiers of shoes that can play at Allen Edmonds level, for about $100 less. Meet the Cormac Cap Toe, this shoe is a part of their "Handmade in Italy" collection, their top-shelf shoe line. If you are going to invest in shoes, don't skimp out on the $175 everyday J&M that will wear out in 2 years, and have your cobbler yelling at you about how "they don't use real leather on the bottoms of their shoes!" and "the dang heal is made of cardboard!" Invest the extra $100 and get a pair of these. They are hand stained and burnished so every pair is a little different, they are lightweight, have simple yet power styling, and have a pad on the bottom of the sole so you won't be slipping up steps for the first month you wear them. J&M is also known for being a comfortable shoe, however a note to the buyer, since these are handmade, they will need a little breaking in, like a good shoe should.

Available on johnstonmurphy.com for $275

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Allen Edmonds St John's Double Monk Strap Dress Shoes

Shoes are important. They are one of the first things a woman looks for when eyeing up a man and most likely the highest cost per square inch of fabric you will wear on any given work day. These St. John's from Allen Edmonds have a lot of character, the broguing on the toe and the sides, along with the double monk strap really make this shoe stand out from most others you will find in the office. The super soft calf leather is treated with a dark chili color that makes the shoe stand somewhere between brown and burgundy adding to it's overall curb appeal. As we have said before on the site, shoes are an investment. Take care of them, and they will take care of you. We suggest you wear these with a navy or medium gray suit or dress pants.

Available on AllenEdmonds.com for $395 (on sale at time of posting for $295)

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Magnanni Gerardo Medallion Toe Derby

Founded in Almansa Spain in 1954 with just five employees on the ground floor of a house, Magnanni has been a family run business for 3 generations and still operates out of Almansa. Known for their vibrant leather finishes and contouring silhouettes, these shoes make a statement that stands the test of time. The Gerardo is no exception.

This brown leather dress shoe adorns an intricate medallion on the toe, giving it some character that doesn't overpower the clean look of the shoe. The heal is half leather, half rubber to give you some grip while you wear in the rest of the sole (which is replaceable). We think the craftsmanship of the Magnanni is worthy of its price and with the proper care and solid set of shoe trees could last five years of moderate wear and tear. Wear these bad boys with any navy or medium gray suit or pant. Pro tip: Magnanni's tend to run a little big so we suggest you order a half size smaller than you normally do for a similar dress shoe.

Available on Nordstrom.com for $325