You can not look chic without wearing dress shoes with formal attire. Generally black shoes are considered most formal and brown come as secondary shoes. Men should always wear their dress shoes polished and match with the trousers. If not matched, your leather shoes should complement the attire perfectly.
A pair of high quality dress shoes must last you few years with regular maintenance.
If you had a look at the presidents and top brass, you must have noticed their dress shoe style always matches their outfit and personality. Well, for them advice comes from the experts but don’t worry gents this article will teach you how to choose your dress shoes.
Without delay, let us begin the countdown.
Oxfords
Black oxford shoes, most formal of all shoes is the king of a man’s wardrobe. Own a pair of black Oxfords if you want to finish your outfit elegantly.
Oxford shoe is construction of many pieces stitched together. It is sleek design which is available in toe-cap or without toe cap variant. For a complete formal style choose a toe-cap design which improves every dressier outfit.
Oxford shoes feature closed lacing closure in which quarters are stitched under the vamp which gives them a cleaner profile in the uppers. Seldom Oxford is also used as a general term for other lace-up shoes.
Wholecut
Imagine a shoe made of a whole piece of leather with no stitching or detailing on uppers except the eyelets; it is the wholecut. A shoe with closed lacing method to keep the silhouette as unique as it gets. It is more pointed at the front.
Its construction is void of various essential sections such as vamp, quarters found in other oxford shoes. This free design is not easy to achieve as you might think.
The wholecut distinguishes itself from all other contenders with its sleek sculpture and superlative curves, nowhere to be seen!
A pair of black wholecut shoes can be worn at black-tie events, with suits. A brown version is good less formal or smart casual dress code.
After all the wearer should be worthy enough to slip into them!
Brogues
Brogues are typically casual shoes by construction and worn as a functional shoe before reserving a rank amongst semi-formal shoes. The elaborate design of brogues include stitching in a sawtooth pattern with holes along it. Vamp of the brogue shoes has most of the broguing and toe-cap is the centerpiece with most intricate embellishments. Brogues mainly feature closed lacing scheme.
The holes along the stitching serve to expel water in case of the wearer walks through rain or muddy area. Although it is not the case for urban men since they have better provisions during rainy season but the field people may need these shoes. holes also allow ventilation and fast drying of shoes.
Brogues are formal and semiformal depending upon the type of design and stitching. They lend you a conservative look when dressed up and can look really stylish when paired with jeans, shirt and sports coat.
Derby Shoes
A shoe design very similar to oxfords except the quarters of derby shoes are sewn on top of vamp making them open lace-ups (eyelets are present on quarters). These shoes are substitute for oxfords and nearly work in every situation from semi formal to business professional backdrop. You can wear derby shoes with suit, chino outfits and with smart casual attire.
Derby shoes are also popular in suede which works with casual outfits. Suede derby come in brown, grey, blue shades giving you a variety to taste. Grey suede derby shoes can be paired with grey flannel suits in winters for a classic monochromatic look.
Combine blue or navy derby shoes for a fashion twist. There is no limit to what you can do with derby shoes.
Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are ankle high slip-on shoes. It is a basic boot design with pointed toe. Hassle free Chelsea boots will go on your foot just with a slight pull of tab attached to the rear top part. Their design is clean with almost a single piece of leather shaped into a shoe with a elastic section sewn at the outer side of the ankle.
This elastic section provides ease while the wearer slips into the shoes. another version of Chelsea has zip up closure in lieu of elasticated band which looks more appealing and allows your foot to go in and out easily.
The boot looks masculine, sleeker, and stylish – can be worn with formal and casual outfit. Chelsea are quintessential lace-free shoes ready to perform in business line as well. These boots are back up shoes at work for your routine oxfords or derby shoes.
Some men might prefer brown shoes but here you are advised to buy leather Chelsea in black since black will match with most outfits and accessories.
If you want to look more tasteful in casual situations wear brown Chelsea boots in suede that can be your stand-in shoes to other casual shoes. suede boots are great way of improving a casual denim attire. Chelsea paired with a sports jacket with denim or chinos is yet another fantastic ensemble.
Monk Straps
This is a more unique shoe design having evolved over decades since first monks started wearing the first version of these shoes. Their shoe design was basic though. Modern monk straps have emerged as one of the impressive shoe design in men’s fashion world.
An elegant monk shoe is a less formal design with no lacing. Monk straps have buckle and strap closure to fasten them on the side of the upper. One buckle monk shoes were popular until double buckle version superseded them. Modern men prefer double monks for their metal embellishment. Metal hardware adds visual appeal and chicness to monk shoes.
You can always wear yours in brown or oxblood with a navy suit for a debonair expression. Monks also appear swish under a dark wash denim and plain shirt. With monk strap shoes you need little effort to enhance your style.
Monk straps can also have a cap toe with dual material edition- with a section of other material added in the middle to make it expensive-looking.
Chukka Boots
Chukka boots otherwise known as desert boots belongs to ankle-high shoes family just like Chelsea boots. Generally the design of chukka includes open lacing mechanism with three eyelets.
For their design Chukka boots fall on the casual side of shoes and therefore not suitable for dressing up, however if one owns only these boots he is advised to buy a formal counterpart either Oxfords, Brogues or whichever goes with your personality.
You must have seen Hollywood actors wearing chukkas under jean.
Loafers
Loafers are no-lace slip-on shoes originated in London with an image of casual shoes but later topped the popularity among formal shoes category. Today many variants of loafers throng the market. One can easily slip into loafers and put off when needed. This merit makes loafers suitable for beach activities, casual night out with friends and what not!
When you are late for office or college, slip into your favourite loafers to save time. Younger generation opt these shoes for routine outgoing, thanks for the freedom from lacing.
Loafers can be worn with or bare of socks and a trendy man can dress up or dress down them.
