Q. What kind of shoes are best for fall and winter wear? I have a somewhat conservative business office and like to go to high end restaurants on the weekends. Will my black leather shoes with white rubber soles do well in future seasons?
A. I’m glad you asked the question and while I don’t mean to be harsh I would say that they are not appropriate in these contexts at any time of the year. In the first place, I wouldn’t even call these shoes, I consider them sneakers. I have a hard time accepting the popular look for even a lightly dressed occasion. Sneakers are certainly only suitable for the most informal office; Also, if you think the rest of your outfit should be dressed up in a restaurant, think the same about your shoes.
Adjusting clothes for the season and the event is important, and I believe that shoes often define the man. As long as they’re not fancy, most men’s shoes are suitable for clothing that takes us into the fall. Depending on the occasion and what else you’re wearing, some dress shoes are more appropriate than others. In the well-dressed world (where sandals and sneakers are not enough), two types of shoes are acceptable, lace-up shoes and slip ons.
Both are made from smooth, supple leathers, and both are best when they’re simple, straightforward and free of unnecessary decorative touches – ensuring they’ll always look appropriate, whatever the season or weather. opportunity.
The leather lace-up shoes worn by well-dressed men are black, dark brown, and sometimes cordovan. Only these colors are suitable for business and formal wear. While other colors, such as navy, gray, and beige, are great for suits and blazers, they’re not acceptable for dress shoes. There are basically three varieties of lace-up oxfords:
- Wingtips – you can wear these all year round, but make sure their level of formality is appropriate with the other items you are wearing (i.e. not too formal).
- Cap-toes – this less dressy style is versatile enough to work with light and casual or dark and dressy suits. They are also perfect with blazers and sports jackets, or with chinos.
- Single toes – are great shoes to own. In a rich dark brown, they are ideal with more casual beige and khaki suits; yet in black they are even dressier than the other two styles and, in a pinch, can double as formal black tie shoes
Every man should also have a few different pairs of slip-on shoes:
- Classic moccasins. Only in the more stuffy traditional circles are they considered inappropriate for business. They also go with all forms of casual attire.
- Boat/deck shoes. These casual slip-ons offer a much wider color range. For example, they can be worn in navy blue, gray, or even bright red.
- Oxfords in the saddle. One of the best-dressed guys I know likes to wear eye-catching two-tone pairs with his weekend casual clothes.
At a bare minimum, I recommend investing in a pair of thin, dark brown or black lace-up shoes, and two types of slip-on shoes. Keep in mind that simplicity is the key to good taste in all things, and nowhere more so than in shoes.
One final helpful note: it’s a good idea to buy a pair of dress shoes before you have to wear them. Even if you don’t wear them often, when it’s time to wear them, you’ll be glad you have them. A suit and sneakers (even that contradiction in terms, “dress sneakers”) won’t be enough for a job interview, an important meeting, or a wedding. Rushing to find a pair of dress shoes before an event limits your options, and wearing new shoes that haven’t been “broken in” can be so uncomfortable that you don’t relish the occasion. Buy in advance.
Please send questions and comments about men’s dress and grooming to MAN CALL: Lois.Fenton@prodigy.net
