THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF CASUAL SHOES
LOW SHOES:
THE DERBY
Often confused with the Richelieu, it is distinguished by its "open" lacing: the laces are attached to additional pieces of leather, and not to a shoe constructed in one piece. They are available in a wide range of casual-looking materials, including canvas and suede leathers.
MOCCASINS ( LOAFERS IN ENGLISH )
They are distinguished by the absence of a closing system . You can find them with tassels, fringes or with a penny (with a plastron at the instep). Their varieties make them a good ally in summer!
BOAT SHOES
Cousins of loafers, with added laces . These are really very casual designs that can quickly give a "good chic, good genre" look that is not necessarily sought after.
HIGH-TOP SHOES:
DESERT BOOTS (AND CHUKKAS)
These are mid-top shoes, usually made of suede leather, with leather or rubber soles. They are an easy choice, as they are very versatile and can be worn with many styles (but not with a suit!).
HIKING BOOTS
They come from the world of walking and mountain, and some models can be made in very luxurious materials. To be reserved for those who are sure of their style, it is a choice that can be dangerous for a beginner, we can quickly fall into the first outdoor degree of these shoes.
COMBAT BOOTS
Ranger-style shoes, often with a massive military design, made from generally fairly solid leather. You need the look to go with it.
WORKBOOTS
Cousins of combat boots, but coming from working-class professions (farmers, foresters, miners). Very massive designs that go very well with raw jeans or chinos, but hardly with anything else!
LEATHERS AND MOUNTINGS
Low-end shoes are most of the time assembled by simple gluing . We strongly advise against this type of assembly which is destroyed very quickly and prohibits any repair operation on your shoes. Except for summer shoes that you will not intend to mistreat in advance (not nice anyway).
THERE ARE THREE MAIN TYPES OF MOUNTING:
THE BLAKE SEWN
Without a welt, the Blake stitch is more discreet and more flexible. However, its single internal seam prevents resoling. It is the least resistant of the three .
THE GOODYEAR SEWN
With its clearly visible welt, the Goodyear is a very solid and durable construction . It can be resoled.
NORWEGIAN STITCHING
Rarer on dress shoes, this construction is the most solid and the only one that is truly waterproof . Just like the Goodyear, it can be resoled. It is recognizable by its double stitching around the shoe.
WHAT'S GOOD TO KNOW
Whatever leather you choose (box-calf, cordovan, grained leather, etc.), you must absolutely check that it has no nerves or scars: it must be supple and have a regular grain (see our file on types of leather ).
And remember that the longevity of your pair is in your hands ! A dab of moisturizer and regular polish, and the systematic use of shoe trees, doubles or triples the life of your shoes!
A SHORT HISTORY OF SHOES
The ancestor of the shoe that comes closest to the one we know today is the poulaine, which dates back to the Middle Ages: a very slender shoe that could measure up to 50 cm! It was not until the 16th century that the shoe took on a shape similar to the one we know today.
Since then, footwear has evolved enormously, emphasizing comfort and meeting specific needs such as those of social distinction, which are increasingly present.
OUR BEST ADVICE ARTICLES
OUR BEST ADVICE ARTICLES
CASUAL SHOES
- Shoe Buying Guide (Part 1): Why is Leather Expensive?
- Shoe Buying Guide (Part 2): How to Know if They Will Last
- Shoe Buying Guide (Part 3): How to Choose the Right Size and Shape
- Shoe Buying Guide (Part 4): How to Find Your Shoe Style
- How to choose and wear men's boots? (brogue, chelsea, hiker, combat, desert)
- The Desert Boots Guide
- The Combat Boots Guide
- The best casual shoe brands according to our tests
