If there’s one part of our outfits that we often struggle with, it’s our shoes. But while you might neglect what’s on your feet, you’ll find that your shoes are the first thing others notice about you.
Your shoes also say a lot about who you are. So, now that the pressure’s on, you want to know how to pick the best styling shoes for any outfit!
Luckily, it’s not as hard as you might think. This guide will show you how to pick the best shoes for standing out.
Here’s what you need to know:
Men’s Shoes Casual Styles
Let’s start with choosing a great pair of sneakers for you. One of the best options for many men is to choose a pair of basketball sneakers. These sneakers are reputed for their comfort and their distinct style.
For example, you can buy LeBron shoes here that are personally designed by LeBron James. These shoes aren’t just great for playing basketball but are comfortable as everyday walking shoes.
Many of them come in unique color schemes that’ll help you stand out from the crowd. As a general rule, Nike style shoes work well for casual wear.
You should also consider a pair of “boat shoes” to complement your sneakers. These are leather or suede shoes that work best for walking but aren’t ideal for athletics. These are great for attending semi-formal events.
Boots
While boots aren’t popular for every occasion, they exude a sophistication that’ll help you make heads turn. Whether choosing Cowboy boots, rain boots, or snow boots, you want to stick to a style that works for any type of outfit.
When choosing boots, you should always consider premium leather or suede. The latter is best for snow and rain while premium leather works for casual and formal wear.
It’s best to choose boots that are 1-2 inches above your ankle. If you live in an area with heavy snow, you can increase this to 3-4 inches above your ankle.
Dress Shoes
Every man must have a pair of great dress shoes for formal occasions. You should consider one pair of penny loafers and another pair of laced Oxford dress shoes.
For penny loafers, you want to choose a narrow shoe that fits you perfectly without being too tight. Don’t choose a shoe that has an intricate design. With penny loafers, you want to take a minimalist approach with the shoe.
For Oxford shoes, consider owning one pair of black shoes and another of brown shoes. For brown shoes, consider dark brown if you live in a colder climate and light brown if you live in a warmer climate.
When you want to buy in style men’s shoes for formal wear, make sure you always stick to luxury brands. You want others to look at your shoes and take notice of their premium quality.
Flip Flops
You likely weren’t expecting to see flip flops on this list but even these casual slippers can help bring out your style.
If you want to stand out, you want to always choose a name brand for your flip flops. It’s always best to stick to slides rather than thong flip flops. Slides are often more comfortable and offer a chance to “show off” your logo.
Consider getting slides that showcase the Nike Swoosh Logo or the Air Jordan logo. Choose one made of leather or even faux leather as these are the most aesthetically pleasing.
Now let’s look at the basic requirements that make a great shoe.
Best Practices for Casual Shoes
Let’s first look at the best practices for choosing casual shoes. With casual shoes, you don’t have to worry about comfort. This is because casual shoes are always made with comfort in mind so you’ll seldom have an issue.
Your main concern should be durability. Make sure you choose a pair of shoes that’ll last at least 3 years with continuous wear.
You want to choose a pair of shoes with durable soles. Always choose premium leather or suede.
With sneakers, choose ones that have rich colors. These help you stand out from the crowd. With boat shoes, choose ones that are a single color or have subdued colors.
If you choose slides, then faux leather can work and might be preferable for continuous use. You should also choose slides that show off the logo of the brand.
Best Practices for Formal Shoes
Formal shoes are a bit tougher when looking for comfort. For penny loafers, find narrow shoes that aren’t too tight. For Oxford shoes, choose wider shoes that are easy to fit.
You might have to buy insoles to make the shoes comfortable for wearing for an extended period. With formal shoes, you have to always choose the highest quality material.
It’s imperative that you always choose name brands when buying formal shoes. You should expect to pay around $150 to $200 at a minimum for a great pair of formal shoes.
You might want to buy an extra pair of laces for Oxford shoes. These laces are often fragile and can get torn easily. As a result, you want to ensure you have an extra pair of laces on hand to avoid awkward situations.
That’s Our Guide On Styling Shoes
Now you know the fundamentals of styling shoes and how to pick the right pair to stand out.
You should always have a great pair of sneakers for everyday wear. Nike style shoes fit the bill as they’re reputed for comfort and style. Keep a great pair of boat shoes along with them.
You also want a great pair of in style men’s shoes for formal occasions. You should also take pride in finding a great pair of boots and even flip-flops. Make sure to use our best practices to find a great shoe.
You can find even more fashion tips on our blog!
