Wanted: Shoe Advice
I was walking across campus today in the pouring down rain (Note: the kind of rain that hits you sideways, drenches you as if you have no umbrella when in fact you do, and makes you want to just throw in the towel and quit trying to stay dry. The weather has other plans for you.) and every time I glanced down, I noticed my poor dress shoes were getting wetter and wetter. Tragedy.
So it left me wondering what's a fashionable guy to wear during a wet, wintry season? Clearly my usual Cole Haan's slip ons, or oxford lace ups aren't going to do me any justice. So what do I do? I certainly cannot go out and buy a pair of polka dot rain boots to dance around campus in. (Another note: I see way too many females try to "dress up" rain boots and I will go on the record to say rain boots are not professional attire.) So what can/should I buy? What would look professional and not seem out of place with a pair of slacks, and a jacket but also be comfortable and weather resistant? If not rain boots, then? My immediate inkling is some LL Bean rubber duck boots. But those just seem way more casual and great to go with a pair of jeans or casual khakis. Not business casual attire in the office. Not saying I might not get some for the weekends and after work but what about 8-5 M-F!?
Any ideas? hints? suggestions? Perhaps I'll consult GQ. (Final note: the most recent issue made no mention of this dilemma despite the magazine being especially large this month.) So where does one turn? Usually folks turn to me for this kind of stuff and I've got nothing. It brings up another point that I've never really had good shoes for snow and ice either. What do people do in the Midwest? I'm dumbfounded.
Help?
So it left me wondering what's a fashionable guy to wear during a wet, wintry season? Clearly my usual Cole Haan's slip ons, or oxford lace ups aren't going to do me any justice. So what do I do? I certainly cannot go out and buy a pair of polka dot rain boots to dance around campus in. (Another note: I see way too many females try to "dress up" rain boots and I will go on the record to say rain boots are not professional attire.) So what can/should I buy? What would look professional and not seem out of place with a pair of slacks, and a jacket but also be comfortable and weather resistant? If not rain boots, then? My immediate inkling is some LL Bean rubber duck boots. But those just seem way more casual and great to go with a pair of jeans or casual khakis. Not business casual attire in the office. Not saying I might not get some for the weekends and after work but what about 8-5 M-F!?
Any ideas? hints? suggestions? Perhaps I'll consult GQ. (Final note: the most recent issue made no mention of this dilemma despite the magazine being especially large this month.) So where does one turn? Usually folks turn to me for this kind of stuff and I've got nothing. It brings up another point that I've never really had good shoes for snow and ice either. What do people do in the Midwest? I'm dumbfounded.
Help?
Comments
Jonathan just got some of those LL Bean duck boots & really likes them. He'll wear them in the rain and in the snow/slush. They're waterproof, but not really insulated - so in the snow, I think they need some thick socks.
Stop wearing those Cole Haans in the weather, though! You'll ruin them!