Men Tips

posted by artgib on Oct 29

Men’s feet are just as important as women’s, of course, but you wouldn’t know it from the barrage of press and publicity that designer women’s shoes receive! Men care just as much as women do about comfort and appearance, but if one stereotype must be perpetuated it is probably that men simply don’t “need” to have as many pairs of shoes sitting in their closets.

Because men as a group don’t shop for shoes as often as women, they may feel a little lost about where to start when it’s time to get a new pair: here are some tips. Keep in mind that they are generalities and that everyone is different in both style and tastes; but this is a good jumping off point.

Men’s Dress Shoes

If you wear a suit on a daily basis, you’ll want to pay attention to both style and comfort. One does not have to be sacrificed to satisfy the other, thank goodness, as today’s manufacturers are more conscious about problems such as fasciitis and bone spurs. Here’s what to look for:

– Always wear a shoe that is the same color or is a little darker than your pants: in other words, wearing white shoes with that summer suit is just not going to cut it. Similarly, wearing light tan shoes with a dark brown suit is awkward and will draw unnecessary attention to your feet. If you only have two pairs of dress shoes, make one of them black and one of them dark brown.

– The style you choose is pretty much up to you: some men like well-kept Oxfords, other like the comfort of Clark Wallabees, still others choose a much dressier look. It’s all good, and a lot of it will depend on the mood and tone of your particular workplace.

Men’s Casual Shoes

You don’t always have to wear tennis shoes with your jeans! They are always a safe bet, of course, in extremely casual settings but many men get confused when it comes to picking a shoe for those “in between” times when the dress code is casual but above wearing jeans.

– Loafers and oxfords are always a great choice, as are any other number of casual styles. Suede is a great choice for summer and fall, while leather works in any season. Dressiness levels are measured by tassels or buckles: the more of these, the dressier. If you choose a plain lace-up or slip-on, you will be “safe” for just about any casual occasion.

Choosing men’s shoes is all about good looks as well as comfort: so make you take the time to try on a lot of different styles before making your choice.

One Good Pair (http://www.onegoodpair.com/) is a Clark Wallabees. Art Gib is a freelance writer.