Style, they say is forever, but fashion like the weather, is subject to change whether there is a merge in blast from the past ideas or the tailoring of futuristic imagination. Nonetheless, style is also subject to one’s personality, interests and overall attitude.
Men and women have unique sets of taste and preferences when it comes to fashion which is beyond physiological rules. However, lines are being blurred out when it comes to the incorporation of bold colors, leaning to the feminine side albeit covert when it comes to men’s fashion.
That being said, the main tenets for both parties remain resolute and when it comes to rocking that pair of shoes for men, they are looking way beyond the functionality of it and traversing new grounds of aesthetic appeal and what’s trending.
What this means is that true gentleman should always be looking to enrich himself further through experience, self-improvement and the enjoyment of quality, whilst keeping an eye on value.
If Shoes Could Talk
The truth of the matter is that we may never know what walking in someone’s shoes feels like until we have walked in it. Same goes for not knowing the reason why someone chose to wear a worn-out pair of shoes over something more sparkly and exotic. For all we know, the former went for that look because of the sentimental attachment and rather than a possibility, shoes do talk in more ways than one – it could be an influence of mood, aesthetic, need to be accepted and stay in vogue.
A researcher, Dr. Omri Gillath and colleagues revealed that by simply looking at a picture of a stranger’s most worn shoes, one can guess their age, gender, income and whether they have an anxious attachment style with significant accuracy.
Really, just as shoes are a girl’s best friend, they have equally become intertwined with one’s identity irrespective of gender. One thing is definite, in spite of an almost universal tightening of wallets, the global footwear market has been set to increase by four percent between 2023 and 2028. Casual and athletic footwear, in particular, is now often viewed as a necessity.
Perception Trumps Expression
First impressions count! An observer’s first take-in look of a person’s appearance from the hair, clothes, makeup, may be pleasant until the eye settles on the shoes. Shoes, are unarguably a fundamental aspect of a person’s outlook and completes an entire masterpiece of ideas woven intricately in manifesting the perfect and ideal ‘red carpet’ treatment.
People are moved by what they see, and although it can be painfully difficult to be in a position where you’re asked in a rather disgusting manner of “What are those?”, especially when that footwear gives “grandad”, not “cool millennial” – then one would know that perception often trumps expression.
Inevitably, one’s shoe selection will often boil down to who he or she is seeing and who will be seeing them. When there’s a misalignment between how we see ourselves and the image we project, it can cause friction in social relationships. That’s why an understanding of fashion psychology is crucial. Whatever social bracket you fall into, it’s crucial to remember that you can’t deny the transformative power of footwear. Every step you take communicates an aspect of your identity. So, take back some control and pick a pair that speaks your language.
For instance, if you always rock fresh pairs of sneakers out of the box, you’re perceived as having an anxious attachment style. You’re seen as a bit needy and desire to be close to others, but are afraid of how you’ll be received. Also, even if there’s just an inch of elevation on a pair of loafers, any shoe that increases the height of its wearer will be associated with power and emotional stability.
Fun Casual, Sophisticated Formal
Quite like women, men have a wide variety of shoes to choose from, and can either fall within the formal or informal category depending on the specific occasion. The right pair of shoes can really improve a man’s entire look, depending on the type of style he is going for. The two categories’ men have to choose from are either formal or casual shoes. Now, what is it that sets formal shoes for men apart from casual shoes?
Wearing shoes that enhances a man’s wardrobe and fits the occasion well is a game changer. Therefore, a basic way of sorting out the “more formal” and “more casual” shoes is by the presence of shoelaces.
With this in mind, here a few shoes men can incorporate into their wardrobe:
THE CAPTOE: The simple captoe is a guy’s most basic, conservative dress shoe and for those looking for shoes to complement their day-to-day business attire, certainly, they can’t go wrong with a pair of unembellished captoes in chocolate brown or black leather.
THE CAPTOE BROGUE: What differentiates this from the captoe is broguing. “Broguing” is basically to the decorative perforations punched into the leather, usually around the lace box, the back quarters, and along the edges of the toe cap. The “medallion” of the toe is also a form of broguing, but this is a separate detail. Brogues were originally considered a casual country shoe, although they’ve been adapted to dressier leathers and shapes. Generally speaking, the more broguing, the less formal the shoe.
THE WINGTIP: As reminiscent of the name, the wingtip is basically sleeker and more elongated than the captoe. For this reason, captoes are better for guys with larger feet, and heavier body types. Sleek wingtips, have a narrow European vibe which works best with slim tailoring, lightweight fabrics, and trimmer body types.
THE SPECTATOR: The spectator shoe is a wingtip brogue comprised of two different colors and/or fabrics. Typically, the toe, heel cap and lace panels are rendered in a darker fabric (in this case black calfskin) than the quarters of the shoes (which in this case are black suede). This old-school “fancy” shoe, is generally reserved for special occasions and events that require semi-formal attire.
DERBY SHOES: When it comes to Derby shoes, they are characterized by their round toe shape and the eyelets sewn to the exterior of the vamp, are generally considered a casual shoe. It is usually best to save them for jeans, seasonal trousers, and “business casual” dress.
THE EXOTIC: The boldest move in shoe choice history must be an exotic skin. Whether it’s crocodile, alligator, lizard or ostrich, exotic skins are often considered a display of wealth. Keep in mind these come with certain connotations, and can turn some people off.
OXFORD SNEAKERS: Oxford sneakers are one of the best casual shoes for men to look chic. Guys can pair them with jeans or chinos to look stylish and also stay comfortable. The oxford casual dress sneakers are comfortable and fashionable and one can get a perfect pair of brown or white oxford sneakers to add comfort when walking all day.
CASUAL LOAFERS: Loafers are one of the best casual shoes for men, and you should have them in your wardrobe. They save men from the heat in the summertime, as well as showcasing the well-dressed man you truly are. Meanwhile, a man cannot go wrong with a pair of loafers to achieve a casual look. This is because their short and lace-less design makes them smart and suitable for various outfits. Whether it’s a formal or casual event, a pair of brown loafers adds elegance to a variety of outfits.
CHELSEA BOOTS: For ease and comfort, Chelsea boots are a go-to. They have functional elastic on their side to help you pull on and off the shoe without stress. That makes them the pair of shoes you can wear without knotting laces since they don’t have one. Having a treasured pair of suede Chelsea boots in one’s closet gets you prepped up for any casual outing, as their leather build is more versatile, pairing well with jeans, trousers, etc.
MOCASSINS: Moccasins are one of the types of casual shoes for men that are usually confused as loafers. Although they have similar characteristics, moccasins have some key differences from loafers, most of which is their flat soles. Moccasins come without heels, and their soles could either be hard, soft, or flexible, depending on the build.
As the Native American shoe style, they often come with laces not necessarily meant for knotting but to beautify the shoe even more. The exciting part of moccasin as one of the types of leather casual shoes for men is its versatility because it can be worn with various casual outfits without the fear of getting in the bad books of fashion police.
Investing In Quality Shoes
For most men, having that perfect suit and tie which exudes power, confidence and displays high status is all that matters, while some yet still have tunnel vision, focusing on the upper body clothing such as jacket, necktie, and watch. The fashion sermon today is to invest in quality menswear. This means, men should buy better, focus on fit and comfort; only buy timeless designs that will last, and focus on versatile fabrics that can be worn with most of your wardrobe.
Regardless the style of dress shoes a gentleman decides to invest in, remember to keep them polished, give them a day to rest and fully dry between wears, and must remember keep cedar shoe trees in them when they’re not on your feet!