5 Essential Shoe Tips For The Stylish Man4 min read

You can tell a lot about a man simply by looking at his shoes. The way they match the rest of his ensemble, whether they have creases or smudges, and whether or not he cares for them on a daily basis. Needless to say, a messy pair of shoes will portray a sloppy personality, someone you may not want to trust when it comes to business, or personal relationships. 

Of course, the last thing you want is to come off as that kind of a man. Instead, you need to become an expert in all things relating to the footwear you buy, and master the art of shoe care all the while picking the best pieces to mix and match with your wardrobe. Here are five essential shoe tips to keep in mind at all times.

1. Matching shoes, socks, and belts

Shoes might be an essential part of your ensemble, but you might want to regard them as an accent piece predominantly. Why? Because your shoes can not only make or break your appearance, but also emphasize certain aspects of your ensemble. With that in mind, it’s important that you know exactly how to combine shoes with socks and belts.

Firstly, you want your shoes to be darker than your pants, that’s an essential rule (unless your shoes are white). Next, buy shoes in two primary colors: black and several hues of brown. Socks should bridge the color gap between your shoes and your pants – so choose a hue that matches both. You can also go with happy socks if that is your personal style. And remember, the color and finish of your shoes need to match your belt (at the very least in the same color family).

Related: You might like this step by step guide on how to heel lock lace your boots to help prevent blisters.

2. Shoe styles to own

In a nutshell, you need to have a pair of shoes for every occasion. What’s more, you need to have more than one pair of a particular model if you’re wearing them on a daily basis, in order to avoid wearing them down too quickly. Remember, if you don’t rotate your shoes, you’re going to ruin them in a matter of months. 

Your essential shoe collection should have:

• Brown brogues.
• A pair of Oxfords.
• A pair of  Wingtips.
• Casual sneakers.
• Brown leather boots.
• A pair of loafers for those sizzling summer months.

3. Caring for your shoes properly

One of the most important rules and life lessons you should live by is, of course, always caring for your shoes. Proper and regular shoe care will make the difference between looking snazzy and dashing, and walking around in a worn-down pair of chukkas that should have been replaced eons ago. And you better believe that people will notice.

No matter if you’re trying to impress your boss or your date, your shoes need to be in stellar condition. First, invest in cedar shoe trees – they’ll prevent wrinkles and creasing over time. Next, resole your shoes when you notice wear and tear on the heel. Lastly, polish your shoes regularly as well to preserve leather elasticity and luster. 

4. Tips on buying the right shoes

Firstly, your shoes should look the part, yes, but they also need to fit perfectly. After all, there is no point in rocking a sweet pair of wingtips if your feet are bleeding on the inside and you’re feeling like you’re going to faint. Go for function first, but don’t neglect the form.

Choose shoes that are timeless. Timeless models and pieces such as the Oxford or the brown leather boot will not only look amazing with every ensemble, but their allure won’t fade when new trends hit the walkways. Feel free to splurge on a good pair of shoes – generally, shoes should be the most expensive elements of your wardrobe.

5. Matching the shoes to your wardrobe

And speaking of your wardrobe, rather than buying attire to fit the make and model of your shoes, you should buy the shoes to fit your wardrobe.

Remember, you should invest in a quality pair of shoes, so it’s only natural that you should buy plenty of formal and informal attire at a more affordable price – allowing you to splurge on a carefully-curated collection of shoes that will complement every ensemble just right.

You might like this comprehensive, long-term Thursday Boots Review.

Wrapping up

Never underestimate the ability of a good pair of shoes to make or break an entire outfit. If you want to be considered as a truly fashionable man, be sure to take these essential shoe rules to heart.

About Peter

^{Peter is a men’s fashion and lifestyle writer at Trend Prive and Men-Ual magazine.}

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