DSW’s Mercanti Fiorentini / Mike Konos Trio: Oxfords, Monk straps, and Suede

The end of the year means it’s time to hand out some awards. But calling these “the dappys” would just sound terrible. Instead, we’ll stick with a highly generalized “best of…” strategy, with the very best from the past year being highlighted all this week.

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DSW’s Mercanti Fiorentini’s plain, slim, Italian-made true oxford, which was selling for $120.

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Cheap double monks are rare. Attainable at $140. Also made by Mercanti Fiorentini.

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DSW’s other Italian house brand “Mike Konos.” Surprisingly durable for $100.

None of these would satisfy a shoe snob. When compared to shoes that run $200 and up, their construction is moderate. But for those of us who can wear a pair of shoes a few times a week without grinding them into a pulp, all of these over perform when it comes to looks, while coming in at that sweet spot price of $100 – $150.

DSW’s two house brands Mercanti Fiorentini and Mike Konos sacrifice bombproof quality to keep their prices low, but they do posses some sleek Italian aesthetics. Sure there’s some weird looking shoes in their collections, but usually there’s a few choices that aren’t too modern or funky. And they sell em’ at a price most of us can handle. Especially when DSW runs a site wide sale.* Both brands are certainly worth keeping track of in 2012.

*Speaking of, DSW is doing $20.12 off $99+ and $45 off $199+ with code SHOES2012. Expires 1/3/2012