MEN’S FASHION & STYLE GUIDE
The 5 Shoes Every Style-Conscious Man Should Own
The shoes every man should own – Today, we’ll discuss the 5 types of shoes that every style-conscious man should have in his wardrobe.
In our Men’s Shoe Guide Series, we’ve shared various tips, styles, shoe care guides, and rules of wearing shoes. But recently I received a Style Question from a new but ardent reader of our blog via the ASK MR KOACHMAN platform, he asked us to write about – the complete list of essential shoes every man should own.
Even though I’ve written an article about the 3 Shoes You Need To Stop Wearing and 3 Shoes Every Man Must Have, I felt this new topic was slightly different as it has to cover the essential shoe styles every style-conscious man should own – from casual to dress shoes.
So, here is a fact!
Whether you’re looking to make a bold statement or do quite the opposite and blend in, you don’t need more than five (5) styles of footwear.
Sure, there’s a wide range of different events and experiences in a man’s life that you’ll need shoes for — but when getting dressed for another day in the office, hanging out with friends on a weekend, a friendly neighborhood cookout, date night or an important job interview — there are really only five footwear essentials your wardrobe needs.
With that being said, let’s move on to the main agenda for the day.
The 5 Shoes Every Man Should Own
#1: COOL, CASUAL SNEAKER
Everyone regardless of gender needs a sneaker they can wear for either a quick trip to the grocery store or a night on the town. For a relaxed weekend, they’re the perfect footwear to pair with jeans and a t-shirt. Go for lighter, neutral colors and lower cuts if you want the focus to be on your outfit, or make a plain outfit pop with dark high tops against light-wash denim.
Either way, there is so much room to make casual sneakers work for your unique style. Think about what colors make the most sense to fit the clothing you own, how your choice in sneakers could be paired with your basics or statement pieces in your wardrobe, and go from there. Don’t forget the white sneakers – it’s definitely one of the essential shoes every man should own. If you consider yourself a well-dressed man then you should get this.
The point of investing in casual sneakers is to have quality footwear that can go with anything you choose to wear outside of the office or for any informal event without feeling repetitive. And that’s precisely where the need for simplicity comes in, to achieve timeless, classic looks — even if just with a streetwear — without crossing over into that dreaded zone of extra-ness. Plus, these days, more and more office environments are not only allowing a more casual dress code –– they’re encouraging it.
#2: DRESS SHOES | OXFORD, DERBY & DOUBLE MONK STRAP
Dress shoes are the key component of any man’s formal look.
Whether you’re headed to a job interview or attending a business meeting, your choice in formal footwear is absolutely made or break. Deep black or dark brown Oxfords, Double Monk Strap or Derbys are the obvious choices, and when it comes to dress shoes for men, nothing matters more than a rich dark coloring, durable and comfortable material, and a shine that says you mean business.
Look out for sleek, embroidered textures that add a finishing touch to any pair of Oxfords, Double Monk Strap or Derbys with just the right amount of toe point and block heel. But other than small, unique statements in your dress shoes, sometimes blending in is the better choice. Be mindful of matching suit color with the shade of your shoes, whether they are dark brown or black. If you really do want to stand out, feel free to pair classic Oxfords with an edgy statement tie.
#3: ATHLETIC/RUNNING SHOES
Running shoes are not only essential for any man who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle, but they can also fit in your life in the same way that casual sneakers can.
The right running shoes can complete a casual, daytime outfit just as well as Old School style Vans, and can even help you achieve the cool, slick, and effortless athleisure style that’s so trendy right now.
Investing in the perfect pair of running shoes will allow you to seamlessly transition from a jog or grind at the gym to a weekend afternoon excursion, from a demanding nature hike to a beachside brunch. And while comfort and quality should be the highest priority for your choice in athletic footwear, fortunately, these days, you hardly have to compromise quality for style.
Black, gray or white sneakers paired with popping neons and bright or bold, memorable styles are easy to come by from all the major brands, these days. For that reason, more than dress shoes or casual street sneakers, running shoes give you the most creative freedom to find and select a pair that best fits your individual style.
#4: DESERT BOOTS, CHUKKAS
Not every day at the office is going to be a big presentation to the board, or a make or break interview for a promotion. On those regular days in the workplace, you will need a go-to business casual footwear.
For that reason, there is no reason whatsoever for a gentleman in the workplace to not own a pair of chukkas or desert boots. They work with chinos and dark jeans, alike, and unlike dress shoes, they look classy — but not too classy — in a variety of shades, from tan to deep brown and gray to black. In that sense, there is room for creative liberty. You know what color would fit the rest of your wardrobe best, and can feel free to pick any of the aforementioned shades.
While they’re just formal and business-oriented enough to work in the office without coming off as too pretentious for an ordinary day, be warned that they aren’t exactly streetwear. They work well for dinner dates, but be careful — and sparing — in choosing to wear them casually or for daytime excursions. You have sneakers for that!
#5: BOOTS – CHELSEA BOOT, DRESS BOOT, AND CASUAL WORK BOOT
Last but not least, every man needs a good pair of boots. Whether you’re based in Southern California or New York in the dead of winter, they’re a style essential for chillier days in any region, not to mention for inevitable travels to colder places.
Dress boots reminiscent of Chukkas or Oxfords can help you kill two birds with one stone, serving sleek, professional looks all while offering protection and comfort in cold weather. Go for leather in either bold, musky browns or dark colors. But if you know you’re the outdoorsy type and that fall or winter to you means hitting the trails and living it up in the snow, rubber soles are absolutely essential for durability’s sake.
At the end of the day, men’s style is all about keeping it simple and finding your own creative way to imbue your personal style with the classics. These five types of footwear are everything you need to do just that.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to MR KOACHMAN newsletter and we’ll send you other similar articles weekly straight to your inbox.
Until next time, continue to do well, live well and dress really well. Stay Classy!
Yours in Style,
Kobi O. Mbagwu
Founder, MrKoachman.com
Connect with us
On Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Pinterest | GooglePlus
Follow MR KOACHMAN blog with Bloglovin>>>
Pix Credit: PINTEREST
Latest posts by Mr. Kobi (see all)
- 35 ESSENTIAL MEN’S STYLE TIMELESS QUOTES TO LIVE BY - March 30, 2024
- 7 Little Tips On How To Be The Center Of Attraction - June 20, 2023
- How To Comport Yourself During First-time Meetings - April 1, 2023
Pingback: How To Dress For Church and Still Look Stylish -