The last time I bought some dress shoes, I went to John Daniel here in Tulsa. About a month later, a seam on the sole of one of the shoes started to separate so I took the shoes back prepared to argue in the strongest of terms how disappointed I was with the quality of the shoes and to demand an exchange for a new pair. I opened the box which the shoes were in and just started to state my case when the salesman (owner?) turned away and went into the storeroom. How rude! I was really going to let him have it now!!! He returned and handed me a new box of shoes and asked if there was anything else he could help me with. I opened the box and there was a new pair, same model, same size. I thanked him and left...a good speech gone to waste.

Not surprising, I went back to John Daniel when a cleaning and polish would no longer make my shoes look presentable. According to their records, I bought my old shoes just two months shy of 5 years ago. Guess I needed a new pair. They had the same make/model in stock and, to no one's surprise who knows me, I got the same shoe again! (The one on the right.) The manufacturer improved the sole (to eliminate the separation problem), got rid of the raised piping and made the shoe a shade darker.

I was so happy that I was able to get the same but improved shoe that I went outside my comfort zone and bought a hip and mod (at least for me) casual loafer. (The one on the left.) It looks better from the side. I didn't really have anything comfortable between my sneakers and dress shoes and this fills the gap well.

And, yes, my pants are normally that high.