Shoe Fashion

Sure, you survived high school with one pair of running shoes. On that senior trip to Tijuana you added a pair of funky leather huaraches. Why would any man need more than those?

Why indeed.

Face it, pal. If you’re going to make your way through this world and be taken seriously as an adult, you’ll need at least three pairs of shoes. Keep the running shoes or better yet, invest in a new pair and ditch the veterans. Save the huaraches for summertime; they don’t count toward The Three Essential Pairs anyway. Pay attention to the advice contained herein and you’ll never be clueless -or shoeless- again.

Dress shoes. Frank Zappa had it right when he said ‘Brown shoes don’t make it.’ There’s just something innately unhip about brown leather shoes, so please get yourself a decent pair of black dress shoes. The simpler the better. This is one place where you certainly do not want the cheapest- besides fitting better and feeling good, costlier shoes simply look nicer. Women do notice a fellow’s shoes and so do potential employers, so go ahead and spend more than you think you can afford. It’ll pay off in the long run.

Speaking of running: a fine pair of athletic shoes is a must-have these days. Name brands aren’t nearly as important as a decent, well-fitting shoe. Walk and jog around the store while trying them on; there’s few things more aggro than a poor running shoe. Be certain to try them on with the same sort of socks that you’ll be wearing the shoes with- no point in buying athletic shoes that only fit with thin dress socks. If you play a lot of b-ball, ankle support is an important factor to consider. If you’re going to actually run in your running shoes, be sure they offer you excellent arch support.

So what’s the third pair of essential shoes for a man these days? How about another pair of dark dress shoes? Seriously- if you’re going to be doing the corporate, in-a-suit thing several days a week it’s entirely appropriate to have two pairs of dark (not brown!) shoes. If your suits lean toward blues and greys, a pair of dark blue leather shoes could be an interesting, tasteful choice. Some men have been known to pull off a pair of red leather with style and panache; you know if you’re that kind of guy.

Unless you live in the tropics, stay far away from white dress shoes. They always look like Easter at Fantasy Island and are right only when worn with a white suit. In that case, they are a must.

So there you have the three essential pairs of shoes for the modern man. Never skimp where it comes to your feet- spend a few (or several) extra bucks and be comfortable. At least as comfortable as you can while wearing a suit and tie. To secretly express your individuality, wear a pair of outrageous socks- just be sure they don’t show while you’re walking. Armed with this invaluable info, go ahead and strut proudly into your day!