Frugal fellas fight about $700 shoes in /r/frugalmalefashion (np.reddit.com)
SubredditDrama
31 ups - 15 downs = 16 votes
81 comments submitted at 08:36:50 on Apr 23, 2014 by Time_to_Drink
Frugal fellas fight about $700 shoes in /r/frugalmalefashion (np.reddit.com)
SubredditDrama
31 ups - 15 downs = 16 votes
81 comments submitted at 08:36:50 on Apr 23, 2014 by Time_to_Drink
You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
See the funny thing is I have no idea if you're talking about the "400$ boots can be frugal" or the "you're an idiot if you spend more than 80$ on your boots" camp
I love frugal drama
39.95 is the max
im not frugal, im just poor
Appreciated, but see articles such as this on how it can work out more expensive to not pay for quality. In the case of boots, the minimum for a boot that will last a serious amount of time is a full grain upper, welted sole, and decent build quality. I see Red Wing as roughly the entry level for serious boots that will last, and these will run about $200-$300. Worth saving for? I think so. You might have to get them resoled every 3 years, but they will last well over 10 with proper care while actually doing the job right.
I'm of the "those $800 boots had better be made of baby seal and whisper sweet nothings into my ear, reaffiriming I am the sexy man beast I know myself to be" camp.
1 pair. ONE!
How can anyone in their right mind think $700 is "frugal" for a pair of boots?
I've had really nice Cole Hahn's given new soles for less than $100. I think it would cost them 3-400 to make an equivalent boot. And that's a really nice boot! Anything past that and I fear you are just paying for name. Hell, I can have custom Vibram soles put on shoes for under $100
did you read the thread? he wanted an alternative that was cheaper, however the dude says "there are countless alternatives" and refuses to name a single one that is similar in aesthetics and build quality.
Obviously 700$ for boots is nowhere near frugal, they are a luxury brand, but that's why the OP wanted an alternative. I just love all the people in that thread bitching about the price but noone is able to provide a sensible alternative at all.
The parent comment was someone suggesting that OP just buy the boots
>The cost is a combination of aesthetics and quality. I personally would rather spend the money on these than on knock offs because these will last a long time, be very comfortable and look great and you're supporting a good company. But less, buy better.
There's nothing magical about those boots. People get boots that last 20 years of daily use for half the price of those. Those guys are just doing mental gynmnastics to justiy that price tag.
are you dense? The price-tag has nothing to do with whether alternatives exist or not. and please provide an example of similar boots that cost half as much and last 20 years. you're repeating the same bullshit everybody in the linked thread was saying.
You, and everyone over there circlejerking over the $700 pair of boots are missing the point. It's not just about those specific boots, it's the whole mind set of spending $700 on a pair of boots for precieved extra quality and longevity.
You could wear those things daily for 50 years and it still wouldnt justify the cost. Financially it makes absolulty no sense, as you are in no way saving money (short or long term). Sorry, but I thought that was the whole point of that subreddit.
it's about saving money when possible while looking good. If I buy some generic super sturdy steelcap workboots for 100$ they will probably last just as long with the slight drawback that I look like a contractor playing dress-up.
And longevity is not the only measure of quality btw. a lot of high-quality things are extremely ephemeral. and again, it's about finding a cheaper alternative and you still misunderstand it.
>it's about saving money when possible.
Which spending $700 does not do.
>again, it's about finding a cheaper alternative and you still misunderstand it.
lol...The guy makes the thread asking for a cheaper alternative and people are upvoting suggestions that he just buy them because it will be worth it. That's not a cheaper alternative. It appears you're the one misunderstanding things.
Please provide an example and picture of this boot that was produced 20 years ago.
hey david, do you remember that thread about the really expensive vest that had basically all the same drama as this one?
You mean every Frugal Males Fashion drama thread?
I had a good pair of Martins, that's about it. Not really a boot man myself.
I've got some North Face and Salomon trail boots that cost 1/3 that. I can see paying 3-400 for a really nice pair of dress shoes. But $700 is well outside the limits of cost of good + manufacturing.
The might as well have Diamonds on the soles of Her Shoes.
I rarely venture here but this is so far out of line with the truth. Yes, the manufacturing costs of a standard consumer grade shoe are ridiculously cheap. But manufacturing and labor costs on an entry level luxury shoe cost upward of $100. That is the cost before other associated overhead costs like storage and advertising for the company. (I have sources for all of this). That shoe retails for about $350 so a fairly standard retail markup is still applied. (But they can frequently be found on sale for around $250). This is all in reference to Allen Edmonds.
Now if we jump up way up market to truly hand made bespoke shoes by the best cordwainers in the world, the manufacturing and materials costs jump immensely, on the order of 10+ fold increase in the materials and labor costs.
Yes, I may be cherrypicking examples, but $700 is not outside of limit of "cost of good+manufacturing" for some niche companies.
That's nice. It doesn't belong in FRUGALmalefashion.
My comment was a direct reply to:
> But $700 is well outside the limits of cost of good + manufacturing
It does not pertain to what does or does not belong in frugalmalefashion.
Frugality is not absolutely objective. Frugal might mean $50 to you and $500 to me for a given article or good.
It's not "cheap" malefashion, and therein lies the difference.
fru·gal adjective \ˈfrü-gəl\
: careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to : using money or supplies in a very careful way
: simple and plain
I agree. Frugal is about making your money go further. $700 boots are fine if the everyday price is $1000. It means looking around and putting effort into getting the best price for a good even if it requires bargaining or low balling .
Why do so many male fashion subs have such a massive hardon for AE shoes? I tried some on, the fit is shit, their looks are pedestrian, and I felt like I could destroy them walking to and from the parking lot.
I personally do not like most of AE's offerings because of what you describe, but the short answer is that they are a readily accessible entry level, domestically manufactured footwear that can be had for around $200 (seconds sale).
If you appreciate a solid feeling underfoot, you're probably not going to find that with AE. Their shoes won't fall apart on you but they lack the weight of other shoes of similar price point because AE uses a shankless construction that is true to their heritage. (AE has branded themselves as a shankless shoemaker for nearly a century). For comparable models, say the Alden 975 to the AE macniel, the Alden shoe is going to weight several ounces more just from the steel shank, whereas the AE shoe has no shank. That alone contributes a lot to the feeling of the shoe.
ae are like entry level nice shoes. and since so many people on reddit can't comprehend paying money for not video games, ae gets most frequently recommended.
>The fit is shit
For you. My feet are different than yours.
>Their looks are pedestrian
They're "entry level" dress shoes... they're supposed to look rather "plain" because that's what you expect in a professional dress business environment.
>I felt like I could destroy them walking to and from the parking lot.
But you haven't spent any time wearing a pair. I have a pair that I bought a year ago and probably have 90+ wears on. They look as good or better than new (color has deepened, leather is smooth and soft, still take a nice shine, leather soles still very intact) and have no signs of falling apart.
I love my Saloman boots. They were, and still are, the most expensive pair of foot-ware I've ever purchased; 7 years later I still have them. And they're in great condition.
Now that's frugal fashion.