Shoes for Men

What shoes should a man own?

Did you know that one of the key differences between men & women when we shop together is the way they buy their shoes? Women will expect their new shoes to hurt slightly and are always surprised if they are comfortable immediately. We expect to have to "break them in", stretch them, wear a half insole or heel grip if they are slightly too big, get used to their height, wear a heel strap adhesive to keep them on or buy padded party feet if the sole is thin. Men on the other hand expect their shoes to be as comfortable as slippers the moment they try them on and if they aren't, they're not buying them! Don't know who is right here, but we do know that one of the first things a woman will notice about a man is his shoes - and the wrong pair could mean you don't get a second glance. 

So, what shoes does a man need?  

• Trainers - not running shoes but a pair of stylish trainers that work with your jeans and shorts. Look for a light or brightly coloured pair and no, you cannot just wear your running shoes - save these for actual running.
• Loafers or slip on shoes - once the domain of the 'smoother than a gravy sandwich with no bread' used-car salesman, the loafer or slip on has really come into its' own as a stylish addition to your shoe collection. Wear these out to dinner or the pub. To differentiate from your business wear choose a contrasting colour to the pants you will be wearing - e.g. russet brown works well as a strong contrast to denim and white or cream is great, too. Try a textured finish or subtle detailing to really show you haven't just worn your work shoes. 
• Business Shoes - like really lovely, beautifully made, leather-soled business shoes with a slight sheen on the finish. Not chunky schoolboy shoes with rubber soles, please. The safest colour is black, but if you wear blue suits a brown works here, too.
• Leather Sandals or "Mandals" - that's right; leather. These need to work with your shorts and shirt in summer and provide a more dressed up look for the barbeque. Please, please ditch the  ghastly Teva sport style that you see German tourists wearing unless you are a German tourist or going hiking. 
• Boots - Just like every man loves a woman in boots every woman loves a man in boots. There's just something about them that hints at a 'Bad Boy Rebel'. That means that getting a glimpse of boot under a pair of jeans or trousers creates a fleeting "mmmmm..." feeling for women.   
• Sports Shoes - for sports you need sports shoes: spotted a man running in Cornwall Park the other day in business shoes and decided he must have been either an escapee from the asylum or up to no good and on the run from the police. Word to the wise: keep your footwear appropriate to the task at hand.

Need help getting buying shoes or any other part of your wardrobe? Check out our Men's styling services.