Dressing like a pauper

[CordMcNally]

I think I purchased 3 or 4 coats from Todd Snyder last fall (I think half my wardrobe is Todd Snyder)

He makes good music, too. I'm a big fan of his song 'Play A Train Song'.

[NumberWhizMD]

My life is scrubs at work, and sweats/work-out clothes at home. It's rare that my husband or I even wear jeans, which at this point is considered "dressing up" in our house. Luckily, neither of us is bothered by this.

I get quality workout clothes yearly as a benefit of my husband's job. The only thing I end up spending "real" money on is running shoes. Even then, if I wait to buy last year's model, I can usually stock up and get a couple of pairs to last me for the year without having to pay full price.

[GlassPusher]

Aside from the Indys, I have C&J Dark Brown Lindricks, Alden Color 8 captoes boots, Lof & Tung captoe boot with hatch grain uppers, Trickers black shell derbies, and Alden Color 8 unlined Dovers. I have a couple of Viberg service boots for more casual wear and have thought about a pair of their stitchdown shell but it wouldn't be much value add over what I already have..

that's a nice assortment. most of my work dress are allen edmonds because i feel allegiance to wisconsin; their QC can be spotty but generally good.

[childay]

Aside from the Indys, I have C&J Dark Brown Lindricks, Alden Color 8 captoes boots, Lof & Tung captoe boot with hatch grain uppers, Trickers black shell derbies, and Alden Color 8 unlined Dovers. I have a couple of Viberg service boots for more casual wear and have thought about a pair of their stitchdown shell but it wouldn't be much value add over what I already have..

All in shell? Lol you must have a big closet! Nice

[TheDangerZone]

What shell pairs do you have? I love the leather in theory, and have a shell wallet, but have been a little underwhelmed with the aging since it doesn't age like normal leather and, imo, shell looks best when its basically new and shiny without marks on it. Personally, I really like horsehide.

Aside from the Indys, I have C&J Dark Brown Lindricks, Alden Color 8 captoes boots, Lof & Tung captoe boot with hatch grain uppers, Trickers black shell derbies, and Alden Color 8 unlined Dovers. I have a couple of Viberg service boots for more casual wear and have thought about a pair of their stitchdown shell but it wouldn't be much value add over what I already have..

[TheDangerZone]

Add me to the expensive boot and jeans club. But I don't think cordovan is technically a true dress leather vs calfskin.

Agreed. People like to shine it up for pics but for formal occasions, calf is the gold standard.

[GlassPusher]

I'm likely an outlier on here...i enjoy wearing different styles, and admit i have way too many clothes. I think I purchased 3 or 4 coats from Todd Snyder last fall (I think half my wardrobe is Todd Snyder), a few close out items from BestMadeCo {which is now owned by duluth trading}, i have more pairs of shoes than Imelda Marcos (ok not that many) and more suits, sweater and sport coats than I can realistically wear in a single Fall/Winter.

It's obviously a packrat/collecting thing/disorder, maybe DSM-IV...started with baseball cards when i was a kid (still have all the Jordans and Kobe rookies), transitioned to stamps (so many stamps...), and now apparently it's clothes.

[8arclay]

All this leather talk has my head spinning

[childay]

Cordovan is different because its a very dressy leather and is touted as being ultra durable which maybe it technically is, but most people treat their cordovan boots like dress shoes... cordovan would be like a ferrari. Other high quality leathers, though, would be like a Lexus LS. They're real ************************-kickers and will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. For many people the point is to wear them and scuff them so they look nice and aged. Of course, many people who say that have so many boots that they'll never really get the proper use out of them

Add me to the expensive boot and jeans club. But I don't think cordovan is technically a true dress leather vs calfskin.

[Bdoc]

I was like the majority of you but I now find it embarassing when my medical students/residents are dressed better than me.

And honestly, i dont hate it. It feels good to look good. I encourage you all to splurge a little. People notice. Patients notice.

My sister recently bought me pair of lululemon dress pants. Feels like sweatpants, but looks like dress pants. Highly recommend

[Turf Doc]

Yeah exactly. The scuffs buff out and add character. I certainly don’t mind them. I’m pretty rough on my boots and all my shell pairs have their marks. It's a great leather. I used to polish them once every 3-4 months but it’s probably been close to a year since I last did anything aside from a quick brush.

Air Force 1's on the other hand, once those get scuffed it's game over if you want to keep your street cred.

What shell pairs do you have? I love the leather in theory, and have a shell wallet, but have been a little underwhelmed with the aging since it doesn't age like normal leather and, imo, shell looks best when its basically new and shiny without marks on it. Personally, I really like horsehide.

[Turf Doc]

The bolded is the problem for me with expensive wear items, be they shoes or dress pants or shirts or even exercise dress. I don't have time to baby them regularly applying leather conditioner and polishing them regularly and treating them gently. Or washing the expensive clothes correctly. God forbid if I have to dry clean them.

The pain of spending $800 will soon pass, the pain of their upkeep will last a lifetime. So I buy <$100 shoes and use and abuse them and throw away when the sole cannot be glued back.

I think people generally over treat, because they find it enjoyable, or under treat, because they're lazy. By "properly taken care of" i just mean cleaning them after a winter, not wearing them every single day, resoling when needed... personally I like cleaning my leather stuff and find it relaxing. But if you don't, then buying cheaper shoes and throwing them away every few years is absolutely going to be cheaper and better for your lifestyle.

[Kamban]

most people treat their cordovan boots like dress shoes... cordovan would be like a ferrari. Other high quality leathers, though, would be like a Lexus LS. They're real ************************-kickers and will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. For many people the point is to wear them and scuff them so they look nice and aged.

The bolded is the problem for me with expensive wear items, be they shoes or dress pants or shirts or even exercise dress. I don't have time to baby them regularly applying leather conditioner and polishing them regularly and treating them gently. Or washing the expensive clothes correctly. God forbid if I have to dry clean them.

The pain of spending $800 will soon pass, the pain of their upkeep will last a lifetime. So I buy <$100 shoes and use and abuse them and throw away when the sole cannot be glued back.

[TheDangerZone]

Cordovan is different because its a very dressy leather and is touted as being ultra durable which maybe it technically is, but most people treat their cordovan boots like dress shoes... cordovan would be like a ferrari. Other high quality leathers, though, would be like a Lexus LS. They're real ************************-kickers and will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. For many people the point is to wear them and scuff them so they look nice and aged. Of course, many people who say that have so many boots that they'll never really get the proper use out of them

Yeah exactly. The scuffs buff out and add character. I certainly don’t mind them. I’m pretty rough on my boots and all my shell pairs have their marks. It's a great leather. I used to polish them once every 3-4 months but it’s probably been close to a year since I last did anything aside from a quick brush.

Air Force 1's on the other hand, once those get scuffed it's game over if you want to keep your street cred.

[G]

Like my cars, I use clothes til they fall apart. Typically the really tattered stuff only gets on rotation for workouts, but you know how it goes sometimes, stuff makes a public appearance.

if I have to buy, Old Navy is the go to store (no, I'm not 12) or use a pro-form such as with climbing or hunting gear which I will buy top of line.

Like everything else, I have no prob spending money if necessary. I have opera pumps that cost like $300 (on sale) that are usually only worn once a year with my tux. ARGH...I'm looking forward to formal events again....