Men's Shoes

A man is often prone to go with a “universal” pair of shoes. This is what he wears to work, on his nights out with his drinking buddies, on a date and on special occasions. He does this on grounds that he’s a man and that he should not trouble himself with trivial things such as fashion. This should be no problem if he’s wearing, perhaps an oxford, which is the smartest choice for the “monogamous” type. But if he’s wearing his worn out rubber shoes - all that time - then it’s definitely time for a paradigm shift.

Shoes are created to serve different purposes. Rubber athletic shoes should be used for sports because they’re designed to support the feet and prevent injuries from game-related accidents. Heavy-duty work boots are made from thick material to protect the feet from falling debris and sharp objects. Hiking boots are created to provide better traction on uneven surfaces. And dress shoes are made to simply make people look good and appropriate.

General Rules

When considering what shoes to buy, remember that they are the piece that will hold everything together. It’s the tie in a suit, the icing on a cake, the flat screen TV of a home entertainment system. They can be allowed to stand out a bit, but they can never lag behind in an ensemble.

Thankfully, men ought to have an easier time picking the right shoe for a pair of pants or an occasion, than women, since men’s fashion seldom change radically. And while every man is free to choose otherwise, mainstream style dictates that the shoes should always be darker than the pants. Consequently, black shoes go with blue, navy blue and black pants, while pants with dark earth tones like beige, green and tan must be paired with brown shoes. Also, try to match your belt with your shoes.

The kind and the amount of embellishments on a shoe usually will all say if it’s a casual or a dressy shoe. Heavy stitchwork and broguing (patterned perforations) usually fall under casual, while tassles and buckles are more on the dressy side. If you’re one of those people who live inside your jeans, better stock up on casual footwear or those that are not the attention-grabber sort.

Types of Shoes

Oxfords

Oxfords are men’s quintessential shoes. Formerly referred to as balmorals by the British, these shoes have a low arch and closed lacing and often comes with a non-rubber sole. Because they’re not that flashy, they go well with either casual or formal wear. Polished, black oxfords are best for the office and for other formal functions while the cordovan, burgundy, brown and chestnut varieties are classy yet very modest choices. This type is for men who likes to maintain an air of sophistication but likes to keep everything sleek and subtle.

Loafers

Loafers lack for laces or buckles but have tassles in their place. Most varieties are flats and have straps that were originally meant to hold coins, thus earning them the name “penny” loafers. Making its way to men’s fashion early in the 20th century, this type is quite similar to a moccasin and can be worn as a dressy or a classy sport shoe. Like the oxfords, loafers are not the type of shoes that will stand out in a man’s outfit. But it’s more of the laid-back and contemporary sort making it ideal for semiformal occasions.

Derbies

Derbies can be considered as open-laced oxfords. They are also known as Gibsons and, since they were originally used on hunting sport, as bucks. Derbies are more casual shoes than formal and will go well with jeans and slacks.

Cap toes

Cap toes are basically just oxfords with an edge. It’s the most common form of alteration in oxfords; a line that cuts across the shoe at the toe end. However, sometimes, the add-on can be an entirely another layer of leather with a different color, or perhaps with perforations, ornamental stitches or other flourishes. Depending on how eye-catching its feature is, a cap toe can be your regular-day or a special event shoes.

Dress boots

Unlike the traditional cowboy boots, dress boots are trimmed at ankle length, with a slighter heel and a slender outline. Many designs are laced while other more contemporary versions are zipped. It can be worn with either casual or classy suits and will prove valuable for men who like to don denims, slacks and casual trousers.

Monk Strap

Instead of laces, monk straps have a metallic buckle and a strap on the upper part that fastens together. However, they are more aesthetic than functional. Due to its prominent feature, monk straps are less formal than oxfords and is more appropriate for use with dressy jeans and trousers or with everyday office suits.