Mens Dress Shoes

BY STYLE

According to experts, a man is usually judged on the first look by several factors, three of which are the most important. One is the man's hair, the second is his handshake, and the last is the shoes that the man has chosen to wear. These are the striking features that attract any stranger's eye when you first meet. Whether it be a job interview or a casual gathering, it is important to choose an appropriate set of men's shoes that look good with the outfit you are wearing.

Like everything in menswear, there are a lot of options available to choose from. This variety is both a boon and a bane since the numerous styles available give you options but sometimes make it very hard to choose. This is especially hard if you are an amateur and everything looks the same but with different price tags. It is a total waste of money and time if you buy the wrong pair of men's shoes, be it in any aspect: fit, quality, or style. Thus, knowing the styles that are open for option and having a clear idea of what you need is the key to getting a proper pair of men's shoes that hopefully stays with you for a long time.

This staple accessory in men's style has a history that dates back to at least 40,000 years. This basic style perfectly complements the proverb, "Necessity is the mother of all inventions." Though it is hard to imagine any other structure of men's shoes than what we currently have, the design of men's shoes has undergone drastic changes over time as it has evolved. Though they were invented some time before, it was only by the Upper Paleolithic period that they became widely accepted by most of the population. The first prototypes were made for practical purposes and were made do with the available materials like leather and sometimes even fur. These styles resembled sandals and were very soft.

With time, men's shoes also evolved with their wearer in style and artistic details. In the early Baroque period, men and women in Europe wore similar types of men's shoes, though, as with any garments then, the details and materials varied with the social status of the person wearing them. While the common people wore sandals made out of heavy leathers, the aristocrats and the elites wore the same styles crafted out of wood with more artistic details. Fast forward a few centuries, and by the 18th century, silk materials were introduced along with the wood. This was the time when the heels of men's shoes evolved and were exclusive to nobles. Soon, men's and women's shoes started to show variations in terms of style, color, heel, and toe shape. These were the foundation of the styles we have today. Only after the 1850s did men's shoes become foot-specific; up until then, they were straight without any differentiation between right and left shoes. As the 20th century approached, the technological changes that came with it made the shoemaking process easier, thus eventually bringing the price down. Then came the Great Depression, and men's shoes also turned somber, with black and brown men's shoes dominating the market. This was the time when Oxfords rose in style. While men's shoes remained the same, women's shoe styles became sophisticated and artistic over time.

Nowadays, the styles available are abundant, and there are specific styles available for every occasion, mood, and preference. For a long time, the design of men's shoes depended upon the practicality and comfort of the user. But with changing times, the shoemaking industry has widened its prospects, and now, while a great part of the sector still focuses on comfort and classic styles, another part has emerged that focuses on the experimentation of including aesthetics in the shoes. The fashion world has also embraced this idea of modernizing men's shoes, with celebrities like Lady Gaga promoting the style. As for men's shoes, while the structure has remained the same, the artistic details produce the extravagance it requires.

As for the requirements for men's shoes, we cannot imagine a world without them. As for why it's important, the basic thing is they absorb the force of your weight, reportedly up to at least 3,000 times, and also protect your feet from discomfort and injury. Next comes the appearance aspect. As said before, shoes are one of the first things that everyone notes at first glance. It is reportedly said to attract about 30% of the attention while it occupies only 5% of the body.

Now, setting aside the dizzying details, what are the factors that make a good pair of men's shoes? What should we note while purchasing one?

First of all, keep in mind the occasion for which you are buying the men's shoes. While running shoes work best for, obviously, running, they cannot be worn to formal events. The distinction between casual and formal men's shoes is most important. While you can wear any shoes, make sure they are appropriate for the event. For example, for formal events, you suit up, and it is only appropriate to pair them with dress shoes.

Next in line is the quality of the men's shoes. Though it is not possible for everyone to spend hundreds of dollars on brand names, you can still focus on the quality of the men's shoes. They will still be more expensive than the cheap ones, but also consider the repeated waste of money from buying new cheap ones several times a year. A good quality shoe can last even a few decades, hence the money spent on it is considered well spent. Now, many manufacturers are providing recrafting and resoling options, hence extending the life of the men's shoes even more.

Spend time and effort to find the right pair of men's shoes for you in terms of both fit and comfort. If you are buying in a local store, get the guidance of the salesperson by measuring the sole size and also accepting guidance. If you are purchasing online, size charts are available for crosschecking, and make sure to get the right pick. Even if it means visiting three to four stores or spending a little more than your budget, getting the right size is the priority since the wrong size shoes can cause you discomfort the whole day. If you have an unusual toe width or size, it is better to visit a shoemaker and get a pair made just for you.

Some of the major styles in men's shoes are discussed so that it may make your choice easier. Oxfords are the most basic style of men's shoes available. This style of men's shoes are basically lace-up shoes designed so that they are worn below the ankle. They are further divided into two styles. Balmoral Oxfords, mostly known as simply Oxfords, use a closed lacing system and are the classic style. They are the best to be worn with formals like two-piece suits since they are considered to be dressier among the two. Blucher Oxfords come in a variety of styles and colors, as opposed to the Balmorals. While a conservative pair can be worn with formals, they are mostly to be paired with casual wear.

As for the slip-ons or loafers, they do not use a lace-up style. They can be used with formals only if they are conservatively designed; otherwise, they are considered as casual wear. Many options are available, some being moccasins, monk straps, and tassel loafers. They look best with gray flannels and sports jackets. These slip-ons are in vogue recently, and the versatility of the wear, giving the option of dressing up and down, has worked out to be a great advantage in its popularity.

As for casual wear, there are a lot of options available other than the formal styles. Saddle shoes are basically casual Oxfords. They can be characterized by the use of a layer of leather on the instep that is usually of a different color from the rest of the shoe. This trendy style makes it to be classified as a casual stylish choice.

Boat shoes, also known as top-siders, were originally designed to be worn by sailors on boats to avoid slipping. This style has carried on from the docks to the summer wardrobes of men. These are available in a variety of colors and mostly are summer style men's shoes worn without socks.

Leather laced heavy sole men's shoes are another option for a man building a casual relaxed wardrobe. These styles have large rubber soles and are produced with shoddy materials. They rely mostly on glue, with the overall appearance being heavy. These men's shoes are sturdy and are the best if you live in a place with adverse weather conditions. The long-term use of the men's shoes makes it a worthy investment that you wouldn't regret later.

Next comes sneakers, the favorite style of almost all age groups. The versatility of the item and the choices of colors and styles available make it a popular option among all. This style, when being clean and appropriate for the event, can be paired with any casual styles, for example, jeans, chinos, and shorts.

Leather loafers are another worthy addition to your casual wardrobe. Unlike the dress loafers, they are made of heavy, sturdier rubber soles and casual uppers that include leather imitations. They are versatile, and they bridge the gap between canvas and dress shoes while increasing the comfort at a reasonable price.

Sandals are the most casual type of men's shoes available and are one of the earliest forms of men's shoes. They can be chosen for wearing inside the home, with the style protecting the bottom of the feet and at the same time providing air circulation in the upper part. Other than these, clogs, flip-flops, and Crocs are also some types of casuals available.

Now, coming back to running shoes, it is best to have a pair that is only meant for running purposes. These athletic men's shoes can also be worn while practicing other sports, but the point is to keep it restricted to its original purpose without straying away too much.

Another famous style of men's shoes available is boots. There literally isn't one man who hasn't gone through the phase of cowboy boots, though some may even be going through it. This Texas style has for some time ruled the Hollywood screens and still dominates most of the runway. The variety of styles available in this stylish men's shoes is another reason for its popularity among both men and women. Western boots are the classic style of cowboy boots, specifically designed to keep a man stable on a saddle. This style has surpassed both Texas and cowboys and is now a prevalent style in many places. The basic need to rock this style is confidence. Dress boots are more refined than the western boots and also come in wide varieties and different manufacturers. These styles, like any boots, are designed to withstand the rigors of riding and hiking, but the sheen and the stylish appearance of the boots make them more sought after for their look than their practicality.

Now, knowing most of the trendy styles and viable options available makes it easier to select a proper pair of men's shoes. But after this comes the major part. After spending a fortune on a pair of perfect men's shoes, the major contributor to their longevity in your wardrobe does not depend on the material or the manufacturer anymore. It all boils down to how you maintain the shoes. It is important to rotate through a few pairs, allowing them to dry before using them again. This is especially important for leather men's shoes, for which the interiors may not be chemically treated as much as the exterior, making them rot due to perspiration if not dried. Dusting and shining your men's shoes regularly is one of the major duties to be followed if you wish to spend a long time with your quality pick. Waterproofing them is also a good option.