After reading 10 Power Ties Every Guy Should Own, Karen Kirksey, a friend of Red Alert’s editor, wanted to continue in the tradition of helping men be better dressed with her take on the shoes every man should own.
People have been debating for centuries about what a man looks at first when he notices a woman. What has never been in dispute is what women first look at when scoping out a man. Without question, it is his shoes. Adorned with the right shoes, he is allowed to pass go. If he is wearing the wrong shoes, he might as well turn on his heels and walk fast in the other direction. Men, if you doubt me, next time you introduce yourself to a woman, pay close attention as she darts her eyes downward to glance at your shoes. This will likely happen all before you have gotten the chance to smile and say, “Hello, my name is…”.
If you want to be a hit with the ladies or just need to update your wardrobe to that of a grown man, here are the shoes every adult man should have in his closet.
Penny Loafers. These fall into two categories: dressy and casual
Casual: Weejuns, Beef-roll, call them what you like but this is a good go-to shoe. Can be worn with jeans, khakis or even shorts.
Try these Bass Larson loafers. At $110 at Zappos, they’re a steal.
Dressy: Looks great with dress slacks and a sports coat.
Try these Lands’ End Lands’ End Fulton Penny Slip-ons for $150. Available in tan, brown and black.
Moccasins. Either Venetian or driving, in leather or suede. While I typically crinkle my nose at men wearing colored shoes outside of the black/brown/cordovan family, here’s your chance to have some fun and express a bit of whimsy with a flash of color. If you want to wear orange or blue or even orange and blue moccasins, go for it.
Consider this Cole Haan Air Somerset Venetian. It’s $168 and available in camel (shown), black, burnt orange, sulphur (a bright yellow) and blue (in you feel like channeling your ‘Inner Elvis’)
Chukkas. Every guy needs a good pair of boots and will, no doubt, find plenty occasions to wear them, be they the classic suede Chukka or a Timberland-style boot. These look great with jeans.
Try these LL Bean Classic Chukka boots. They’re $89 and available in dark and light brown.
Boat shoes. When you really don’t feel like wearing shoes at all. They are a huge improvement over flip flops. Save those for the beach.
Sperry Topsiders are the gold standard in boat shoes. The topsider original is $79.95 and is available in a multitude of colors.
A good pair of tassel loafers. Plain and simple, in black. No need for designs and ornate decorations. Keep it simple.
These Allen Edmonds Grayson loafers aren’t cheap at $335, but they’re worth every penny.
Wing-tip lace-ups, in black and brown. Or Cordovan if you are ready to shell out the big bucks. These are the kind of shoes your grandfather wore. It garnered him respect. It will do the same for you.
These Cardovans from the Alden Shoe Company will set you back a pretty penny (they range from $645-$710), but they’re classic and with proper ca
The horse-bit loafer. Best worn when you want to look sporty but dressy, usually without socks. If you go to a cocktail party, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen men wearing this type of shoe. And for good reason—it looks cool. The Cole-Haan version seems to be quite popular, as are Gucci. Purchasing the Ferragamo brand says you’re trying too hard. Conversely, purchasing the el-cheapo kind from Sears will make you look like a hayseed.
Consider these Ascot II Cole Haans. For $175 you can purchase them in black or brown.
Split toe lace-ups. A nice alternative to the wing-tip or the tassel loafer. In leather or dark brown suede.
Try these Allen Edmonds Ashton ones for $335.
A pair of tuxedo shoes. Guys, if you own your own tuxedo then do yourself a favor and wear with it a proper pair of tuxedo shoes. It completes the look. As handsome as a gentleman is in a tuxedo, it mars the entire look if he wears any old pair of black shoes from his closet. You can’t be like James Bond if you’re wearing the wrong shoes. Make sure you wear them in black patent leather.
Try these Calvin Klein oxfords for $130.
If you really want to get funky with it, try an embroidered velvet slipper.
Check out the custom embroidered Del Toro slippers for $325.
Just a few more items to cover.
Shoes to avoid. Steer clear of shoes which have too pointy toes or too chunky heels. Also, avoid out of the ordinary colors or shoes that are too busy or ornate. Seriously, no man needs a pair of red shoes. This will only serve to make you look like a Georgetown gigolo.
Flip-flops: Where do I begin? Unless your destination involves a location where there is sand and/or water, skip the flip-flops. You have a myriad of better casual shoes choices to wear that make you look like a thoughtful adult.
If you don’t have the right shoes in your closet, if I were you, I’d get to getting. Happy shopping!
