Obsessive online shopping - men's shoes
 

I have an anecdote, and two questions.

I don't buy new shoes very often. I usually only have 2-3 pairs (I have 4 right now, if you count the crocs I wear when I take out the trash or run to the mailbox as shoes). I'm in the market for new daily/office shoes, and I've been shopping...for about a week. I mostly browsed shoebuy, since I have a coupon there. And...I just can't decide.

Is it normal to be so obsessed about a simple purchase like this? I do this with other things, too. I have about 9 tabs open, and have for a few days now, unable to decide.

Second question:

Which shoes should I buy?

These are almost exactly like what I have now, which I love but are falling apart:
Born Keaton - Fudgesickle Full Grain Leather - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com

Some others:
Aetrex LT610 Oxford - Brown Leather - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Rockport Allander - Dark Brown Full Grain Leather - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Rockport Evander - Brown Waterproof Full Grain Leather - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Rockport Ellingwood - Oxblood - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Johnston & Murphy Minzer - Black Brushed Veal - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Florsheim Cornell - Black Leather - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Bostonian Marco - Chili Calf/Deerskin - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Deer Stags Times - Brown Smooth - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com

And a little different...but...not available in my size:
Fluevog Shoes - Item detail: Folio

And if I were to go completely insane:
Fluevog Shoes - Item detail: Agenda

($300 shoes are not going to fly with the wife)

So...which shoes should I buy? And how can I find a cure for my online shopping blues?

Dude...I have been having the same problem, but on Zappos. I was trying to find shoes for my wedding. Fortunately, I mentioned my dilemma to my mother, and how I couldn't decide. She said she had seen the perfect shoe at Macy's and went and bought it for me.

Personally, I'd find a brick-and-mortar store with these shoes and try them all on, see what fit best, and then order online. It might help with the indecision.

I just saw your "No $300 shoes" caveat, but I have gotten more use out of my Chili Allen-Edmonds Delray's than any other non-sneaker in my wardrobe. I've worn them with a suit, with khaki's and a button up for business casual, and with jeans and a button up to go out barhopping. They're a real leather sole, so I'll have them forever.

http://www.shoebuy.com/allen-edmonds.../149587/346008

My advice: Are you a desk jockey, or are you going to be on your feet for long stretches wearing these? If your day in these involves more than 4 hours on your feet regularly, get something with a rubber sole, or you'll hate life. Otherwise, leather sole all the way!

Also, black is out. Get a light reddish brown if you can, it goes with everything, with a matching belt--even black pants/suit if you're willing to be a little bold. Black shoes only go with black pants, and there really isn't a great reason to own black pants unless you're required.

Jesus, $378.00?!

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/68...69_215X215.jpg

$20.00, and that's AFTER taxes.

Wow, Xerxys...those are some ugly shoes.

Good shoes aren't cheap. Sure, you can do some comparison shopping, maybe save some money by going somewhere like Nordstrom Rack or TJ Maxx, but generally, you get what you pay for. A shoe like the one you posted will probably fall apart quickly--and then what? I buy another pair of $20 shoes? I contend that it's not worth the time to constantly be buying new pairs of cheap shoes every time they fall apart. I'd rather pay my money up front and get a quality product that will last years.

Man, if you knew what I am willing to pay for a pair of running shoes or trail shoes, you would cry.

^^ I'm off to my third pair. Yes they fall apart, but I can't walk in anything else and nowadays I do a lot of walking. Even at work where I have to sit still and stay put at a desk I am restless and have to take off my shoes because I can't wiggle my toes.

I have expensive shoes, do I like them? No. In fact I think they're ugly. They aren't practical. They sit in my closet and are only pulled out when I have interviews, where they lay next to my shirt and tie in the car ... to be put on in the parking lot so I don't sweat in them ...

Any dress shoe that has a description including the phrase "get 'er done" should be marked off the list with a quickness, man.