It’s mid-summer, and the warm-weather menswear sales are in in full force. Anyone looking to stock up on staples from Huckberry, Taylor Stitch, and Wax London will be happy campers this month. We’ve also been perusing the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for blazers, summer shirting, and even some timepieces. Next: footwear. I, always on the hunt for quality shoes, went on an archaeological dig at Nordstrom, excavating three worthwhile deals. These stuck out to me because they’re good, honest sale prices.
Often, it’s too easy to be more attracted to the subtracted dollars than the shoe itself. Trust me. I was an econ major. I know all about product utility and customer happiness. Lots of brands know this too—and that style can make for more compelling marketing than long-lasting construction.
So for this list, I looked for heritage brands whose sale items are both great-looking and built to last. And I made sure that these are the best prices out there. Happy shopping.
Want more picks? Style correspondent Maddy Gustini collaborated with Nordstrom on some wish lists for Cool Material readers.
Santoni Darian Oxford
Goodyear welting is the footwear gold standard. I love it on loafers. However, I actually prefer Blake-stitched lace-ups. This Santoni Darian isn’t as water resistant as a Goodyear-welted shoe, but it’s still resoleable and immediately far more comfortable. Would I have paid the original $790 for that hand-polished calfskin and chic silhouette? Perhaps. With $290 off? Definitely. People criticize Santoni’s seeming lack of a last system, and this shoe is skinny. Wider-footed gents will experience quite the break-in period (though not one as bad as if it were Goodyear welted). Still, I’d rather that over another $800 shoe that simply offers less break-in drama.
Shop: $500
Wolf & Shepherd Crossover Longwing Blucher
You’ve got to have a sneaker in the bunch, and I’ve become a fast fan of Wolf & Shepherd. They're undeniably one of the brands who’ve leveled up the hybrid shoe market from the days of just slapping an athletic sole onto a Derby upper. Their Crossover Longwing Blucher combines courtside cool factor with that Italian calfskin elegance. And boy, is it versatile. Is it sporty or dressy? Pragmatic or fashion? The answer to both of these is yes.
Shop: $100
Magnanni Derek II Monk Shoe
As with the Santoni, this water-resistant Magnanni Derek II’s sale price is a great equalizer. I imagine most people who are gun-shy about acquiring it would pull the trigger with that $145 shaved off. Plus, Spanish leatherwork is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. Just look at that impeccable ombre burnishing and stacked heel. Magnanni employs Bologna construction. Without getting too technical, it’s a Blake-stitched composition that allows for a slim but comfortable and flexible build. And if a double-strap is too workwear-adjacent for you, the single-monk Marco II is also on sale at Nordstrom.
Shop: $100
