Shoes with a tux?

tommy92

So i've got a ball on saturday which i have to wear a tux to, but i don't have a pair of nice dress shoes, and i can't afford them either, having just bought a tux. So i've got a pair or (this is pretty close to what they are, it says in the description suede for some reason, but they're black leather) http://www.aldoshoes.com/uk/men/shoes/moccasins/76705429-mcgrane/97
If i give these a polish, will they do me?

baby and crumble

In all honesty, I'd have to say no. The sole is all wrong for a formal event, and it'd be a real shame since you bought a tux, so presumably it fits you really well.

You can get cheap dress shoes in places like dunnes or pennys, all you need is a standard black lace up shoe. Or try guineys, might get something for less that €20.

padi89

You bought a Tux ? You could have just rented one. Anyway, don't put those shoes on with a tux they will ruin your outfit, as said Pennys or Dunnes will have black lace ups to get you by.

Fajitas!

Black patent leather oxford style shoes are your best bet - I'd imagine you'd get them in Dunnes or Penny's or one of those cheap shoe places for about 20-40 quid?

If you've bought a tux, you can splash out on some nice shoes to finish it off.

DazMarz

You have got to have formal shoes with a tuxedo. Black Oxfords.

I know you say you cannot afford them, but if you could borrow some money from someone or stick it on a credit card, the Savile Row Company have a massive sale on at the moment and I picked up a pair of black Oxfords from their site for €89 (r.r.p. was around €259). I think they've gone up now, but still, well worth a look. These are black shoes that you'll have forever and they'll look the part.

But if it is a rush job and if you need them rapid and just need to kinda look the part for one night, maybe a pair from say Dunnes/Penneys etc. would do for the night.

But if you wanted, also have a look in Marks and Spencer too. They have a very good selection of shoes and accessories as well.

OldGoat

As with all the above you have to wear black patent shoes be that toecaped or not. Anything that looks like these...



You'll find cheap ones readly enough. Try TK Maxx and you might even find a quality second for a knockdown price. If you can't find or buy dress shoes then borrow some. Don't try to make do with your moccasins.
You'll look and feel 100% better knowing you've made a real effort to look the part rather then a half hearted one.

tommy92

Alright, thanks for the advice, after much grief due to my large feet i managed to borrow a pair of shoes from a friend. Thanks for the advice.

dingbat

OldGoat has pretty much nailed the shoe advice for the first time tuxer.

But apart from that, here's a few things that might be of some help...

1. cover your waistband
This means that you should either wear a cummerbund or a waistcoat. Personally I prefer the former.

2. buy a proper bow-tie and learn to tie it
Not a skill commonly demonstrated here in Ireland, but the difference is huge between the standard "pre-tied" affair and that which one has tied oneself. It just looks much better. The best part is that at the end of the night you can untie it and leave it casually strewn, rat-pack style.

3. get some long black formal socks
Proper, thin, black socks that go above your calf. Nothing less attractive than a pale expanse of calf sticking out next to your new tux.

By the way, a tux is not the worst thing you could invest in. Provided you don't suddenly change shape over the coming years it will earn its own keep in no time.

AnneElizabeth

€20 Heatons: http://www.heatonsstores.com/Product/Gents-Formal-Shoe/262173/1002020100