7 Must-have shoes for the modern gentleman
THE OXFORDS:
These are the best men’s dress shoes. Not only are they one of the most versatile shoes a gentleman can own for all formal occasions, from business casual to formal, but they’re the standard shoes to wear with a suit. They should be matte finished. If your Oxfords have a reflection, they are not Oxfords but tuxedo shoes. Every guy should have a black pair of Oxfords in their wardrobe and/or a brown or cognac to cover every outfit choice.
THE BROGUE:
Traditionally, brogues are less formal than Oxfords. Consider them for work, especially in a laid-back office. They can be worn with outfits ranging from smart to smart-casual, ranging from the formality of a three-piece suit to a casual pair of jeans. Brogues were initially designed with real holes to drain out water. The traditional perforations on the shoes’ upper or brogueing, is what gives the shoe its distinctive characteristics. Very versatile footwear.
THE WINGTIP:
A wingtip is distinguished by the curved “W” outline on the toecap of the shoe, reminiscent of the wings of a bird in flight, hence the name. The effect can be both subtle or heavy, with intricate embellishments throughout, which are achieved through brogueing. This results in people getting confused between wingtips and brogues at times. A useful rule to remember is that all wingtips are brogues, but not all brogues are wingtips.
THE CHELSEA BOOT:
These ankle-length boots were the go-to footwear for rock-’n’-roll bands of the 1960s. The Beatles and Rolling Stones wore them and they soon came to be known as “the Beatle boot”. They feature a strip of elastic that extends to below the ankle but not all the way down to the sole, so they can be easily slipped on and off. They are versatile and suitable for outfits ranging from formal to smart-casual and one can pair then with three-piece suits and even jeans.
THE ESPADRILLE:
Espadrille dates back about 800 years, having first emerged in Basque country, Spain, as casual shoes for foot soldiers and dancers. The slip-on uses a soft cotton or canvas construction and braided-rope sole. The soles were originally made from esparto, a species of grass from which the shoe’s name derived. They are a stylish addition to a summer wardrobe and pair perfectly with shorts or cuffed trousers. Besides, they’re more stylish than flip-flops.
THE DRESS SNEAKER:
In terms of gentleman’s dress shoes, the sneaker is the youngest, coming into fashion in 1917, when Converse introduced All Stars but fashion houses began producing high-end versions of the casual shoe, taking it off the court and into the meeting room. As a result, we have the dress sneaker. Although initially it was designed to be worn casually, in the late 2000s it became minimalistic. As a result, the modern dress sneaker can be worn with
THE CASUAL SNEAKER:
The casual sneaker is designed for your daily run, be it around the gym or on the streets – or you can wear them to work, depending where that is. The casual sneaker was also the subject of a style evolution, rom 2007 it became a global trend for men to pair formal grey-and-black suits with them. Now, wearing sneakers with a suit has long since become socially acceptable, in both the casual and formal domain.