How to choose men's shoes

Choosing shoes is the case when the expression “You meet someone by their clothes...” is important for both women and men! It is impossible to make a first impression a second time. High-quality shoes and stylish watches increase a man’s rating in the eyes of women and business partners.

Classic men's shoes are vital at business meetings, interviews, and special events.

Choosing the right shoes is the key to success

To make the right choice, you must first understand the types of men's shoes. There are only five main ones.

Oxfords

The most formal type of shoes. They are distinguished by closed lacing and the fact that their side parts (tops) are sewn UNDER the bottom of the front part of the shoes (vamp). The heel is wide and stable. Such shoes are most often made of smooth or polished leather, with leather soles and look very expensive. In recent years, leather soles have been replaced with synthetic ones. The main color is black or dark brown.

Derby

They differ from the first ones in open lacing and in the way the parts are connected: the boots are sewn ON OVER the vamp.More comfortable, but less formal. Also made of smooth leather with similar sole and heel options. Color – black, burgundy, dark brown.

Brogues

According to the sewing method, they can be either “Oxford” or “Derby”. They differ from them in the presence of perforations (currently non-through), which make up the pattern on the shoes. Modern “brogues” are a distant “relative” of Irish folk shoes, where holes were made for a practical purpose: to make shoes dry faster, since in the humid climate of Ireland people’s feet were constantly damp. Made from thick leather with thick soles. The heel is wide and seems rough. The main color is black, brown or dark brown. Refers to a more free style.

Monkey

They differ from all previous ones in the absence of lacing and the presence of decorative straps with buckles. The prototype of modern monks is the shoes of Catholic monks. It was made from a single piece of leather without any finishing or extra seams. And buckles were necessary for ease of putting on. Absolutely informal, fit like regular office shoes. They are made from both smooth leather and suede. The sole is usually made of synthetics. Colors: black, brown in different shades, burgundy.

Loafers

The most informal and most comfortable shoes for every day! There are no fasteners on them. The decoration is either a transverse stripe or tassels. They have a fairly thick sole and a comfortable heel. They are made from any type of leather: smooth, suede, natural and artificial. Various colors.

For a successful business person, it is very important to choose the right not only the type of shoes, but also their quality.

Types of genuine leather from which shoes are made

1. The softest, strongest, smoothest and most durable leather is calfskin. Luxury shoes are made from it.Goat leather is similar in quality, but goat farming is not mass production.
2. Cow leather is a little rougher, but if well-made, it also lasts a long time.
3. Bovine leather is the roughest of the cattle leathers, but is durable and strong. The main disadvantage is that creases and folds form on finished products when worn. They sew the cheap segment of shoes.
4. Pigskin does not stretch well and gets wet quickly. And externally it can be distinguished by the characteristic small pore pits.
5. Leather from the croup of a horse (Cordoba), crocodile or snake skin is very rare, and shoes made from them are very expensive!
6. Leatherette is a cheap material, but very short-lived and not environmentally friendly - feet in such shoes sweat a lot in the summer and freeze in the winter. You can only buy in strict money saving mode!
7. Eco-leather is a relatively new modern “breathable” material. No PVC is used in its production. In terms of basic parameters, eco-leather can easily replace natural leather.

There are also several types of leather, depending on the type of leather.

1. Smooth leather is the most versatile type of leather, convenient for shoe care.
2. Polished leather is a variant of smooth leather that has been specially treated for a better shine. The most official option. Disadvantages - scratches quickly form on the surface, and it is more rigid.
3. Patent leather is the most beautiful, but impractical. Requires special care. Does not withstand frosts below -10 and heat above +25. In such conditions, patent leather shoes crack. They wear it on special occasions.
4. Suede is a specially made leather, fleecy. Shoes made from it are comfortable, warm, soft. Disadvantages - requires special care and gets wet in wet weather.

It is equally important that the sole of the shoe is both comfortable and practical, and matches the type and status of the shoes.

Types of sole materials

Leather soles are most often used for the most prestigious Oxford and Derby shoes. It has a beautiful appearance and allows air to pass through well. But there are also disadvantages: the leather sole wears out quite quickly, is not resistant to moisture and frost, and slips. In such shoes you will not walk on rocky roads and puddles. But indoors they look stylish.

Also, for the expensive segment of shoes, soles made of natural rubber and latex are used. The share of these natural components is 60%. Unlike leather, rubber is softer, more flexible, waterproof, non-slip, and wear-resistant. To reduce the cost, artificial rubber is often used.

Synthetic materials are primarily used in the budget segments of shoes; high-quality synthetics are beginning to replace leather in high-status shoes, as they are quite flexible, do not allow water to pass through and do not slip.

First of all, these are polyurethane and thermopolyurethane. Recently they have been used together.

And now - the most important thing: how to choose the ideal ones for each person from many pairs of shoes?

A few tips before buying shoes in a store

1. Never buy shoes without trying them on. Firstly, shoe size labeling varies from country to country. Secondly, the fullness (internal volume) also varies. Shoes that are too small or too big will definitely guarantee you blisters. It is better to choose it after lunch or in the evening. Your legs will already be tired, maybe even swollen. At this time, you can choose shoes in which you can feel comfortable all day long. Don't listen to salespeople who say that leather shoes wear out quickly. Put on your chosen pair and walk around the store in it. You will definitely feel whether it is comfortable for you or not.
2. We definitely check the quality of the chosen pair.Check the same quality of leather and color of both shoes, whether the stitching is even, whether there are any traces of glue, scratches or other defects. Particular attention should be paid to the top fold of the shoes. This is where creases often form. Feel the inside of the insole: there should be no lumps. An excessively hard heel is also bad: it will rub the heel. If you can't afford an all-leather option, choose shoes with genuine leather inside. It’s good if the insoles are removable – you can take them out and dry them. If your shoes are just a little too big, you can purchase additional thin insoles or semi-insoles along with the shoes, which will fill the extra volume.

We match the color of the shoes to the color of the existing clothes, and not vice versa!

• for a black suit - exclusively black shoes;
• for a gray or blue suit - black, brown, the color of Burgundy red wine;
• for a dark gray suit - black and the color of Burgundy red wine;
• for a brown suit - brown of the appropriate shade or the color of Burgundy red wine;
• For summer clothes in light shades, shoes are matched exactly to the color of the suit.

And the last nuance: for monk-type shoes, the trousers should be narrower and shorter than usual so that the buckles are open and do not cling to the fabric. Firstly, it is beautiful, and secondly, the bottom of the trousers does not deteriorate.