A comparison between an entry level high quality dress shoe and something slightly higher up.

The Loake Spectator / Co-respondent shoes you see here are from Loake Shoe's 1880 line. These are the top of the range shoes when it comes to buying Loake. Now Loake is considered the most affordable way to acquire proper dress shoes. They are actually reasonable price with a decent set of quality controls in place. I should know as I own a couple of pairs and so did my father before me.

Adding colour to one's shoe collection

Once you've completed your basic shoe collection with the required black and brown captoe balmorals and the more casual derby/blucher pairs of shoes and a few loafers in both black and brown as well as the occasional pair of burgundy/maroon pair of shoes, one can then indulge in adding some variety and colour to one's shoe collection. 

As you can see, I've added a pair of spectators from Loake, blue suede tassel loafers from Fratelli Rossetti, grey suede longwings and on a lesser note, the orangey derby from Sutor Mantellassi. One can also add more designs instead of just colour to a collection. Fringe or tasseled loafers, horsebit loafers, fringed derby shoes, etc. 

Proper 'Function Shoes' And How to Dress it up even further

What you see in the picture above is a pair of Loake Lifestyle Patent Leather plain toe balmorals (or oxfords). I bought this pair at PLAL's sometime last year to replace the pair of plain toe black calf leather shoes that were my official function shoes (see the photo below - Batik shirt, black trousers, red shoelaces - I wanted to add more colour down below).

The shoes are by Loake and from the Lifestyle series. It is patent leather and like most 'function shoes' are glued or stuck on in manufacture. This is so that the wearer cuts a slim (even if he is chubby) and elegant profile. Now I could have gotten a pair of Church's or some other higher priced brand, but this is a function shoe and a function shoe is usually made out of shiny, glossy patent leather. Patent leather is usually leather that has been treated (or painted) until is glossy and shines. It is plasticky and one does not need to pay a heap of cash for such a shoe. Hence, a Loake would suffice.

Now if you look at the photograph properly you will notice that the shoe laces have been changed from the usual stringy laces to silk ribbon laces. This is what one should do to your 'black tie' event shoes as it takes you one step closer to those patent leather pumps which usually come with a bow on top (which actually look like a pair of shoes that wouldn't look out of place if your wife wore them) but one that wouldn't make those who aren't willing to go that extra step. The ribbon laces makes the shoe even more dressier and more suited to formal occasions. No. Not girly. Trust me.

Actually, in this region, this would be considered as extreme as most men end up wearing the same shoes they go to work with for the dinner functions.

This is now the pair of shoes that I will wear to those dinner functions. I actually do not attend many functions as I am no socialite or party goer. But a gentleman should be prepared when such an event may arise.

So many shoes, only two feet

 (Top, Left - Right - Campanile 4 eyelet blucher, Salvatore Ferragamo L.Originale Fringe Monk Straps, Morandi 4 eyelet blucher. Bottom, Left-Right Loake Lifestyle Patent Leather plain toe balmoral, StefanoBi Brogue, Kulitkraf Black Brogue)

I haven't worn these yet.