What kind of shoes?

[bgtg19]

I need to get a new pair of shoes. I have been officiating basketball games for 6 years, and I now work primarily a high school varsity schedule. My question primarily relates to patent leather shoes. I want to look my best, but patent leather shoes to me look unnecessarily "showy" and I have not seen many officials in our area wearing them. If these are the shoes that top officials are wearing, however, I want to follow that lead regardless of my personal preference.

Do any of you have advice for me? Follow my own preferences? Wear what others in my area are wearing? Take the lead/plunge and wear what the best officials wear?

In advance, thanks for your thoughts.