From boatshoes, to loafers, to yesterday’s post about Navajo Flats, most of the shoes we have profiled on Bows & Boats tend to be best suited for a more casual environment.  For those of us that are trying to break the monotony of simple cap toes in the office, a classic pair of wingtips is sometimes the perfect way to spice things up a bit while still maintaining a professional look.  The McAllister ($325) by Allen Edmonds is the perfect example of a shoe that fits in perfecly in the boardroom while still being a bit different than your typical dress shoe.

Allen Edmonds has been making shoes of the utmost quality for nearly 90 years.  Founded in 1922, the company has never veered from their mission to produce high quality footwear right here in the US.  While $325 might seem pricey to some, the McAllister is actually quite a bargain when you realize that, if cared for properly, the shoes could literally last for your entire career.  The McAllister was originally introduced back in 1956, and it’s timeless look has made it a staple in the Allen Edmonds line.  With an upper made of high quality calfskin, paired with a single oak leather sole and leather linings, this shoe is not only great looking but extremely comfortable.  The tooling on the McAllister is ornate enough to draw a bit of attention without being too ostentatious for regular wear.  While there are three colors available, our choice for the warm weather months is Walnut.  Paired with everything from navy, to light grey, to browns and tans, the walnut is a great contrast from the typical dark brown or black that tend to dominate most offices.