Men's Dress Shoes

The do's and don'ts

I pride myself in being able to analyze a person based on the way they dress. First, I look at what exactly a person is wearing. Are they dressed up or are they casual? Are they dressed for the situation at hand? Are they trendy or classic? Then I break down their outfit by colors, fabrics, patterns, and accessories. The biggest 'tell all' about a person, however, is their choice of shoes. In a professional situation it is important to never make a bad first impression, and your shoes can make or break you. A man can wear a really nice suit, but if I can see that his shoes are scuffed or old and clunky, then there is a problem.

Being a man, you don't need to have a shoe selection equal to that of Carrie Bradshaw. All you need are a couple of quality, select pairs that are well maintained. If you think that you might need some help- not to worry, this guide is for you. All you need to do is take the first step and you'll be well on your way to an impressive, professional look.

DON'T be a square

If there is one style of shoe I hate more than any others it's the square toed shoe. This style of shoe makes you look cheap. If you own a pair, then pick them up and throw them away. The shape of your shoes need to be as modern and streamlined as the rest of your closet. Choose shoes with a slim contour (not overly skinny) and a rounded (not sharp) toe. These shoes will give you a stylish, tasteful and masculine look.

DO look for a good fit and comfort

Pay attention to the width of your shoes. If you are someone with wide or narrow feet then you already know the value of this. However, men with just slightly wide or narrow feet generally don't pay attention because their shoes always do an OK job. If you're spending good money on shoes then make sure you can walk around in them for long periods of time- you don't want that really nice pair of oxfords to sit in the back of your closet forever.

DO take care of your shoes

Always weatherproof and shine your shoes, you don't want them to be ruined in less than a year. Make sure to rotate through your shoes so that they have time to dry out from perspiration. Using wood shoe trees is always a great idea!

DON'T wear white socks

Once you get passed the age of 16 you should never own a pair of whit socks. Having a wide variety of socks to choose from allows for flexibility in your look, and when you sit down you wont be self conscious when your pant leg rides up showing your ankle. Don't be the person who didn't match his socks with his outfit- it's tacky and distasteful.

DO have a pair of black lace-ups

The most important dress shoe for every man to have is a pair of black lace-ups. They can be dressed up or dressed down. If they are simple and not super ornate you can wear them with anything from jeans to a suit, and anywhere from your office to the club. 

DON'T lace your shoes like the store

Shoes shouldn't be laced straight across- it's hard to loosen and tighten, and it's only meant for display. Take out the laces and start over by inserting the laces over (not under) the bottom eyelets.

There are so many things you can do to class up a look, shoes are just one of the many. When in doubt, a simple and classic look is the safest way to go. Honestly, anything that will turn you into Zac Efron, Ryan Gosling or Channing Tatum, do that!

#Shoes #Fashion #Class