How to choose comfortable and stylish men’s shoes? What are the main criteria and types? Let’s figure it out together!
First, it is worth noting that the British and Italians remain the main trendsetters. If the former focus on leather dressing, then the latter have the best last in the world, which has become, in a good way, a household word in the world of shoes.
Foremost, you need to decide which shoes you need. The following can be distinguished:
- oxfords are the most formal;
- derbies are less formal, other things being equal;
- brogues are “patterned” shoes, they can be both oxfords and derbies;
- monks – shoes, with buckles, can look very strict;
- loafers – shoes without laces and buckles.
Oxford shoes are distinguished by closed lacing and sidewalls sewn under the “front” (see photo below). Oxfords with leather soles look the most solid and formal. The top of Oxfords can be made from smooth leather, as well as from grained, polished and patent leather, and even from suede. The colour of the most classic options is either black or brown in various shades (sometimes burgundy brown or red). The most formal are black patent leather oxfords (combined with a tuxedo and tailcoat), followed by the degree of formality are black oxfords made of smooth calfskin without any perforation (combined with suits).
Derby – shoes with open lacing, the sidewalls are sewn on top of the front. They are perhaps the most common in many countries of the world. Like Oxfords, they can be produced with both leather and polyurethane / rubber soles. Colours – black, brown, burgundy and others. With or without perforations. The most formal derbies are black without perforations and with leather soles.
Of particular note, derbies tend to be better for people with high insteps than oxfords.
Brogues are decorated shoes; and oxfords, and derbies, and even monks can be brogues. A distinctive feature of shoes of this type is patterned non-through perforation, which can occupy both part of the boot and almost its entire area. Brogues are the more formal, the more modest the pattern on them, and the darker their colour. Also, closed-laced brogues are more formal than open-laced brogues.
Monks are shoes with buckles, they do not have lacing. These shoes are not very formal, but in the office, for example, it is quite possible to wear them. The sole can be either leather or polyurethane / rubber. The main colours are black, brown, burgundy. There are no laces, nothing to untie, nothing to tie either – monks are practical and save your time.
Loafers (loafers) are, like monks, unofficial shoes. She’s even more practical. There are no fasteners at all – he put his foot in, using a shoe horn, and went. For office and business meetings, dark smooth leather loafers are best suited, ideally with leather soles.
In this article, we looked at the main types of men’s shoes. In the future, we will move on to the selection criteria: which top and bottom material is preferable for a particular style. What colour is best in combination with different styles. It can be both smart casual and strict business.