New York

Though sneakers are increasingly acceptable as adult, non-basketball player footwear, there are plenty of occasions when you'd rather rock dress shoes -- but how to do that without looking like you're about to totally own a project management meeting, or a funeral? Casually style up, with Heutchy.

A landed gentry-ish, limited line of dress half-boots and loafers, Heutchy's the debut collection from a former designer for Marc by Marc Jacobs (a grating name for a collection, but better than "I'm a Big Deal by I'm a Big Deal"). Wood-heeled and handmade from Italian leather and Japanese canvas, Heutchy's derbeys and oxfords come in two styles: grey leather w/ purple-hued canvas top sole or quarter flanks, and canvas-accented, mirror-shined black leather -- for looking hangdog humble when you're really vainly admiring your own handsomeness. Heutchy also peddles a single style of half-height lace-up boots in either black leather/black canvas flanks, or brown leather/tan canvas -- mix and match the black and tan, and Irishmen will slurp the ground you walk on.

In the spring, Heutchy'll expand into more colorfully formal kicks (perforated white leather, purple canvas...), so when the Knicks come calling, you'll have something snazzier than sneakers to compliment your teal, triple-breasted, five-button draft suit.