Shoes

Something I've heard mentioned before is that, for any man trying to rebuild his wardrobe, the first place to start is with his shoes. Being a lover of shoes, I would have to agree. They can serve as a sort of foundation (not meant as a pun, but it works) to any outfit. Though apparently a small detail, if done right, it can emphasize the overall positives of the outfit, but if done wrong, it can actually make the whole thing look a bit silly.

In my opinion, there are actually a variety of tiers to take into consideration, when it comes to footwear. How one approaches these tiers and their own needs not only will determine how many shoes they would need to have, but also the quality and price point involved. Each man has to take his own lifestyle into evaluation and buy accordingly.

However, while I may go into a variety of different options in later posts, I wanted to cover what I consider perhaps the most fundamental and basic option that most men can have in their closet: the black, cap-toe dress shoe. (Note, take this opinion with a grain of salt, as this is just my opinion, and there are a great many who disagree with me.) But while there are several options out there, there are certain aspects I feel should be taken into consideration. (Note, this is more to try to get as many of these conditions as possible, because finding one that matches all of them within a reasonable price range... is exceptionally difficult.)

• These should be real leather shoes. Top or full grain leather upper. These will mold better to your feet and last you much longer.
• Goodyear welt construction. These stand up better to the elements and are easier and cheaper to replace at a cobbler, when the time DOES come.
• While it's not as important, an oxford version of this shoe will be more versatile than a derby.
• I'll be the first to admit that broguing can make for a gorgeous shoe, but in this case, you want the shoe to be simple.
• A matte finish. A shoe with a significant amount of shine works in dressier situations, but it doesn't transition as well into casual wear, whereas a matte finish works equally well in both. Remember, this shoe is meant for its versatility.
• Leather insole. While there are padded insoles that provide cushion for the feet, a leather insole will adjust to the shape of your foot over time and eventually provide better support and hold.
• Non-trendy design. Something like a sharp toe or the outdated square design can look very fashionable for a time, but eventually they do go out of style. An overly rounded toe will somewhat resemble a clown shoe, too. A basic, but sleek, design may appear a bit conservative, but will also stand the test of time better.
• It should be instantly comfortable the moment you first put it on and stand up. You should not need to break the leather in for your toes to be comfortable. The heel should not chafe, and the opening rim should not press into your ankle bones.

This is a shoe that can be worn to such events as a guest at a wedding to a casual night out in a pair of jeans. As with most versatile items, it should not stand out or draw attention to itself, but if done right, will easily compliment the outfit of the wearer.

Have any versatile shoes you prefer? Disagree with anything or have any corrections to make? Comment below!