When it comes to dress shoes, the easy—and often convenient—approach for many men is to walk into a Walmart or Kohl’s, grab a pair that looks “good enough,” pay around $40–$50, and wear them until the plastic (yes, plastic) leather starts peeling or the soles fall apart. Then the cycle repeats. What most men don’t realize is that there’s a far better option: the lightly used dress shoe market. Websites like eBay, Poshmark, and even local thrift stores such as Goodwill often carry high-quality, lightly worn, and sometimes even premium dress shoes at a fraction of their original retail price. In many cases, you can find them for the same cost—or even less—than the disposable pairs sold at big-box retailers. The benefit? You’re getting real craftsmanship and quality materials. Most men don’t wear their dress shoes frequently, which means many pairs are barely broken in before being donated or resold. As a result, excellent shoes regularly show up secondhand. Some of the brands worth looking out for include: Johnston & Murphy

Cole Haan

Allen Edmonds

Florsheim

Alden

Loake

These brands typically retail for $200+ when new, but on the secondhand market you can often find them in the $40–$80 range—right in line with the budget-store shoes. The difference is night and day: full-grain leather, Goodyear-welted or stitched soles, better construction, more comfort, and a level of class that elevates any outfit. What to watch out for when buying used: Interior wear: Check photos of the insole. If you see a deep heel impression or heavy creasing, it means the shoe has been molded to someone else’s foot, which may cause discomfort until it reshapes to yours.

Soles: The bottom should still have tread or visible grooves. If it’s smooth, the shoe may need resoling soon—though with quality shoes, this can actually be repaired by a cobbler.

Leather condition: Avoid cuts or cracks, as these are difficult to fix. Light scuffs or scratches, however, can often be restored with some polish and leather care.

Sizing: Dress shoe sizing can vary by brand, so double-check measurements or compare to shoes you already own.

By shopping smart in the used market, you’re essentially unlocking access to luxury dress shoes for the price of a disposable pair. It’s one of the best style “hacks” that most men don’t know about.