I need shoe advice!

[JayDawg]

I'm coming out at work at the end of this week. I work as a SysAdmin, and will pretty much be wearing polo shirts and casual pants (khaki, black, navy, and medium grey) every day for the summer months, like another male SysAdmin in an adjoining office. I desperately need shoes, and have been shopping for them, but every time I try them on, they seem HUGE, and I only wear a men's size 7. Outside of work, I have men's sneakers and men's running shoes, but I need to know what kind of shoes to wear with my work attire. I need both brown and black. They should be suitable with the polo/slacks and eventually with a dress shirt, tie, slacks, and blazer or sport coat.

Also of note: I have zero fashion sense. I'm just trying to copy what I see the other IT guys wearing so I "fit in."

I've been wearing women's dark brown oxfords (like), and a black women's loafer style (hate). Links to recommended shoes would be a great help so I can try to find a similar style in town. My available stores are Kohl's, Sears, Penney's, Macy's, and Belk's. Payless had nothing in my size.

Thanks!
Jay

Edit: I'm 5'6" and about 127lbs, fairly small frame. Big clunky shoes LOOK big and clunky on my feet.

[KarynMcD]

To me at least, men's shoes seem to be designed to make a man's foot look bigger. They have a wider base and the base tends to stick out in the front.

An oxford or loafer style is what you are looking for though.
One thing, how long are your pants and what is the leg style? No ankle length and no narrow widths.
Men's pant tend to hit the top or extend over their shoes.

Oh and since you are not used to it, the shoes might only seem to be big and clunky by you, not others.

[JayDawg]

Karin, my pants break at the top of the shoe, and are about 1/2" up from where the back of the shoe leather meets the back of the heel, if that makes sense. I can't stand too-short pants. All are straight leg flat front pants.

It seems a lot of men's shoes have that squared off toe now, which I find really ugly. Are those "in" and here to stay, or should I stick to the old fashioned rounded toe shoes? Mind you, I'm 49, not a 20-something, and I want to sort of dress appropriately for my age.

[KarynMcD]

I'm almost 47 and in IT also. I know where you are coming from.
I don't really like the squared off toe either.
I used to get this shoe:
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-34413/nunn-bush-arthur-comfort-gel-oxford-shoes-men.jsp
or this one based on what was on sale at the time:
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-c16819/deer-stags-times-dress-shoes-men.jsp

If you need to walk around a lot, they are designed for comfort.
If you wear them everyday, they should last about 4 to 5 months.

And just remember, men don't usually look at what other men are wearing and comments. Most people probably won't even look at your shoes, unless they really stand out for the wrong reason.
One more thing, I usually go for the sock color matching the shoe color and not the pants.

[JayDawg]

Thanks! I like that style. I'll just have to go try some on this weekend and try not to think I look like I have clown feet with them on 40+ years of conditioning that I should have tiny feet... this will take some adjusting.

-Jay

Edit: Oh, these only get worn while driving to work, at work, and driving home, and immediately get the heck off my feet and into the closet. My shoes, even walmart cheapies, usually last years.

[JayDawg]

This is what I ended up getting, in black and brown.





They'll have to do for a while. Saw some really nice shoes at Macy's, but I reminded myself I need top surgery before I go wild on wardrobe

-Jay