Preston Wingtip - $225 at J. Crew

Here’s a little something I almost missed in J. Crew’s February catalog—they’re offering two Goodyear-welt shoes from their house brand, the wingtip pictured above and a plain-toe blucher.

Surprised that it barely got a mention, I e-mailed jack@jcrew.com for more details. He confirmed that it’s a newer offering as part of an effort to improve their footwear. He also noted that “we really tried to up our game with the Prestons in terms of comfort and durability”—hence, the Prestons use full-grain leather. They also feature a slightly slimmer silhouette, addressing a complaint I’ve heard in the past. Well done, J. Crew.

Honestly, in this price range I’d personally look for a great, lightly-used shoe on eBay or StyleForum’s B & S. But if you prefer new shoes and can’t afford another $100 for Allen Edmonds, this may not be a bad option.