Any reader of this blog or viewer of my website know that I have a dim view of dress shoes. I frequently use the adjective “dorky” to describe them. Of course that is my personal opinion, shared by few men, except those who, like me, understand that boots make the man, not dress shoes.

Anyway, I have to give credit to the marketing people of the dress shoe maker …

Allen Edmonds. This brand of dress shoe is well-regarded for making quality footwear here in the United States. Most of their products are, as one would expect, dressy low-height tie shoes. I guess if you like them, or feel that you must wear them, they are well-made from quality materials and craftsmanship.

But for us Boot Guys, we look at their lineup of boots. Their boots are short, some 5.5 to 7 inches (14 to 18cm) in height. Their design appears much like a dress shoe with cap toes and wingtip varieties.

However, perhaps they have read this blog or heard from enough men who are looking for a rugged-appearing, solid, yet dressy boot to wear to the office with dress clothes. Most of us office-working men do not have to dress in a suit all day every day. Business casual being the norm, especially in summer months, means that a dressed-down but still stylish dress boot will fit the work environment.

I have to admit, it has taken me decades to come around to this line of thinking. But it has also taken decades for a dress shoe manufacturer to develop a line of dress boots that are a mix of dressy appearance yet rugged style.

I commend Allen Edmonds for inventing the Long Branch boot and the “Sturgis 2.0” boot. I picked up a pair of the Long Branch boots in January on a closeout sale. I was rather pleased with their fit and appearance. These boots also have a Vibram lug sole for good traction. I wore them when I went to Colorado in February and they kept my feet dry while walking through snow and slush to get to meetings.

I also just found a pair of the Sturgis 2.0 boots on a close-out sale. I ordered them last Wednesday, and have them on my feet today as I write this blog (no photos yet on my website.) They are comfortable and look good with dress slacks, shirt & tie that I have to wear today at work, yet are rugged enough to fit my style and personal tastes. These boots also have a Vibram lug sole.

But my biggest kudo to Allen Edmonds’ marketing people is for this short video that they produced. Brilliant!

Life is short: if you have to wear dressy footwear from a dress shoe manufacturer, consider the Allen Edmonds rugged boot lineup.