Some shoes are truly a must-have for men. They fit in every environment, are comfortable, and help create a professional look. Once, I was proud of myself in Oxford but felt embarrassed in front of my friends because we were all out hiking. I would like to share with you some of the knowledge I have gained since then so that no one has to face the same situation as I did.
If you want to know about every style of shoe, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to create outfit styles that suit different environments, I’ve got all your possible footwear options covered. From hardy brogues to retro runners, here’s what you need to know to create an absolute dream ensemble of shoes.
Here’s every shoe you’ll need to look stylish, categorized:
– Dress Shoes: Oxfords, Cap Toes, Brogues
– Sneakers: Running Shoes, Basketball Shoes, Skate Shoes, Tennis Shoes
– Boots: Hiking Boots, Chukka Boots, Chelsea Boots, Work Boots, Cowboy Boots, Dress Boots
– Slip-ons: Sandals, Loafers, Clogs, Mules
Dress Shoes
Oxford
The most classic form of dress shoes is the Oxford—a vamp (the front of the shoe, where the ball of the foot meets the instep) is laced above the eyelet (the part where the shoe laces), resulting in a particularly sleek, formal look.
Cap Toe
As the name suggests, cap-toe shoes are capped with an extra layer of leather, which adds an extra layer of protection to the toes. They’re a touch more visual than your Oxfords. It won’t add the kind of protection that a steel-toe boot would, so don’t show up on a job site in these.
Brogues
You might think of the holes carved into them as mainly decorative, but they were originally intended to keep shoes from flooding with bog water while walking in the English countryside. As a result, brogues are usually heftier than the average dress shoe and look especially nice with thick woolen trousers. They are often made with more casual and slip-resistant rubber soles, making them more versatile than the average dress shoe.
Sneakers
Running Shoes
The raddest running shoes with advanced cushioning can hold their own on the track, street, and runway. This category has roots that have been around for decades. Although running shoes have modern advancements in technology, they still retain the authenticity of fashion.
Basketball Shoes
Currently, various footwear companies design sneakers specifically for playing this sport. The most recognizable and widely worn basketball sneakers are Chuck Taylors and Air Jordans. With the NBA leading the way as the most stylish sports league around, it’s no surprise that basketball shoes dominate when it comes to being fashion-forward.
Skate Shoes
From the canvas behemoths that flooded the Venice Beach boardwalk in the ’60s to the hybridized sneakers worn in the Olympics today, skate shoes have come a long way. Pair them with a pair of baggy pants for that carefree skate-lover style.
Tennis Shoes
Although people call all sneakers “tennis shoes,” there is a slight difference. You can see the most iconic versions of sneakers like Adidas Stan Smith and Converse Jack Purcell for playing tennis. They are classic and indispensable.
Boots
Hiking Boots
These boots are specially designed for hiking, helping you walk on high and low slopes of mountains, dry and slippery places, and uneven ground. They are very comfortable and supportive. For more details on hiking boots, read our Best Hiking Boots article.
Chelsea Boots
Invented by Queen Victoria’s shoemaker in the 1830s, Chelsea boots are distinguished by their elastic side panels, which allow the wearer to slip the ankle-high silhouette on securely without the aid of laces.
Work Boots
Built for hard work and survival, work boots are made with chunky soles, thick leather, protective steel toes, and waterproof materials. They go great with jeans and a waxed jacket, but don’t be afraid to try them with some chinos and a button-up shirt. If you want to add insoles to work boots for even more comfort, our best work boot insoles article will help you out
Slip-ons
Sandals
Whether you’re a strappy open-toe guy, a woven leather close-toe fella, or a die-hard slide-over-everything supporter, you need a pair of great sandals in your life.
Loafers
Dress shoe construction meets slip-on sneaker casualness. Loafers go well with almost every outfit. They can match with casual to extravagant outfits just by matching the color of your t-shirt.
In This Article
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