Quality not fashion

In a previous 'life' I worked in the shoe trade and quickly came to the conclusion that quality was not the same as brand. I can spot a quality shoe from a distance, it's a pity that I can't do the same with other products. Inside knowledge is a valuable asset built up over years of experience.
There are a number of well-known brands (especially in women's footwear and clothing) that offer much in the way of flair and design yet little in the way of quality of construction or materials used.
There are certain countries such as the more Southernly European nations that 'do' style without majoring on quality, whereas the more Northern nations are less fashion aware but like quality products.
In the place I worked, we used to sell traditionally constructed English leather-soled shoes alongside some European molded soled shoes such as from Dansko in Denmark. It seems that it's not just the Dutch who are keen on clogs... Utility clothing is quite acceptable in all types of environments nowadays, and these shoes are no different. Whilst it is still not quite the done thing to wear a pair of flashy trainers to a top-level meeting, you may get envious if not admiring glances at your 'comfortable' quality-constructed shoes.