Tips: How to choose men's shoes?

Shoes are the first thing you notice in a man's outfit. Learn how to choose the right leather shoes, dress shoes and sneakers for men.

Since you have been interested in men's fashion, you must know that shoes have a very - but very - important role in an outfit. They enhance or ruin your outfit, give a casual or classy tone to your ensemble, in short, they influence all of your clothes.

So to avoid putting your money into crap and therefore looking like anything (and anyone), follow this (small) guide:

What style of dress shoes should you choose?

The first point that comes to mind when choosing a pair of shoes is the thickness of the sole .
Avoid leather shoes with devilishly thick soles if possible, unless you want safety shoes. In addition to this, it gives a clumsy and coarse impression to the shoe and above all, it makes the line heavier. The idea of ​​the sole being too thick is an error that is unfortunately far too common. Church's has also built a solid reputation on this subject:

Almost 500 euros all the same.
For an impression of finesse and dynamism, we will look elsewhere.

An exception, however, is for sneakers since the sole is very often thick without the shoe suffering.

Second important point, the line of the shoe . Unless you absolutely want to waste your money on Schmooves, avoid shoes with a flat line (except for sneakers obviously). It gives a... "flat" impression to your shoe: a lack of relief, in short a lack of flavor.

Lanvin sneakers have been a sure value since 2006

A good line gives an impression of dynamism, elegance, finesse. I even read one day that beautiful shoes are “bodied like Italian sports cars”. It is this very telling image that you will have to remember.

Be careful not to fall into excess, and therefore into bad taste and/or vulgarity:

Jo Ghost obviously, $329

A few words all the same on the shape of the toe of the shoe. If you have a minimum of observation, you have noticed for a long time that it is the slender end that is in fashion. [edit: today we have a return to rounder ends]. Here too, it is always to give an impression of finesse and virility, in addition to "catching" outside eyes on your shoes... (have you noticed how your eye is attracted by the pointed tips of shoes of girls?).

Note, however, that ankle boots with round toes are starting to enjoy some success [edit: 3 years later, this trend is well established].

What color shoes for men?

Let's recap: you've paid attention to the thickness of your sole, the low and slender line of your shoe... so let's take a look at the color of your future shoes.

If you have followed all the advice mentioned above, you can afford to choose an all-purpose color like brown or its shades, the shape of the shoe will do the rest. Instead, pay attention to leather and avoid these kinds of abominable creasing effects like Jo Ghost as much as possible. Shiny leather with beautiful reflections is what you need.

Beautiful Oxford shoes from Altan (source: DePieEnCap forum)

Before you start browsing your men's shoe stores, be aware that a nice pair of dress shoes, most of the time, is expensive (the exception is sneakers). Trust me, if there's only one thing you need to spend money on (easily 300 euros), it's leather shoes. Or wait for the sales periods, it is not fundamentally complicated to find shoes for €500 on sale at -40% when you know how to look carefully.

One more thing, favor Italian brands (Santoni, Dario Dodoni and all the others) but also certain French brands (Rautureau, Markovski, Altan). And of course, every man should know how to care for his shoes.

Which shoes to choose remains complex

Shoes remain a very complicated purchase...

• know how to recognize quality (and durable) leather ,

• find a shape adapted to your body shape ,

• no longer lose half a minimum wage in a pair... for nothing...

So take a look at this!