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6 Types of Shoes Every Man Needs

The document provides a list of 8 essential shoe types that every man should own, as well as some extras. The essential shoes are: 1) brown brogue, 2) suede chukka boot, 3) brown loafer, 4) minimalist sneaker, 5) black or brown oxford or derby, 6) brown leather boot, 7) monkstrap shoe, and 8) chelsea boot. Each shoe type is described in terms of its history, recommended styles and colors, and versatility. Additional details on socks are also mentioned.

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99 views18 pages

6 Types of Shoes Every Man Needs

The document provides a list of 8 essential shoe types that every man should own, as well as some extras. The essential shoes are: 1) brown brogue, 2) suede chukka boot, 3) brown loafer, 4) minimalist sneaker, 5) black or brown oxford or derby, 6) brown leather boot, 7) monkstrap shoe, and 8) chelsea boot. Each shoe type is described in terms of its history, recommended styles and colors, and versatility. Additional details on socks are also mentioned.

Uploaded by

Stanley
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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6 Types of Shoes Every Man Needs (And a

Few Nice to Haves)


Shoes are important—perhaps, the most important item of clothing in a
man’s wardrobe, which is why I’ve compiled this list of essential shoes
for men. Besides nailing the fit, I’d say that most men should first start
with investing in a few quality pairs of shoes.

Fellas, it’s time to take inventory of your current shoe collection; what
you have and what you may need.

A Gentleman Within reader recently emailed me asking, what shoes


every man should own. And so I thought about it.

Of course it’s up for debate, but as with any list of must haves, it comes
down to your age, lifestyle or personal preference.

So, let’s get to it. Here are what I believe are the 6 essential stylish shoes
for men and a few extras for good measure.
ESSENTIAL SHOES FOR MEN

1. The Brown Brogue

What’s first up on the list of shoes every man should own? The brown
brogue. It will quickly become a staple in any man’s wardrobe. It’s as
versatile as it is stylish. Ready for this? The term “brogue” is derived
from bro, the Gaelic word for shoe. Brogues are characterized by the
unique punching or decorative perforations along the shoe’s leather
uppers.
Did you know that brogues were originally added to leather shoes to
serve as drains for muddy water?

I recommend a semi or quarter-brogue in a dark brown for


your first pair. If you’re feeling sartorially inclined, go for a full-brogue
(wingtip) in a tan/cognac shade. Keep in mind a pair like this is sure to
turn heads, so if you’re not that comfortable with the attention, stick with
a darker brown with minimal broguing. This will ease yourself into the
wonderful world of brogues and give you limitless options to pair with
jeans, chinos or wool trousers.

The bottom line:


The brown brogue is a cornerstone of the smart casual wardrobe. It
can dress up a pair of well-fitting jeans or dress down a tailored suit—
serving you well, day or night, from the office to the dance floor

2. The Suede Chukka


Surprised it’s number two on the list? There’s a good reason why.

Though not as dressy as brogues in the formality spectrum, it does land


above the sneaker. It’s been said that the chukka boot is the first dress-
casual shoe, which allows for tremendous versatility. Chukkas can play
nicely with a suit, and can easily be worn casual with dark wash
denim and a white t-shirt.
The chukka is a simple shoe with open lacing and two or three pairs of
eyelets. You’ll typically find this ankle-high boot in suede or leather.

Did you know that a form of chukka, popularized as the desert boot,
has its origins in the British military? Because of its comfortability and
durability in harsh desert conditions, chukkas became many soldiers’
leisurewear of choice.

The ubiquitous Clark’s Originals desert boot is a go-to for starters. My


suggestion is a suede pair, as the texture adds visual interest and a
rich elegance to your look. As for colors—chukkas come in mostly
neutral shades of brown and navy. Opt for a darker brown for more
elegance and versatility or a lighter shade for more casual get-ups.

The bottom line:


Chukka boots straddle the fence between dressy and casual—leaning
more so on the casual side. Suits become effortlessly cool with chukkas
and your casual options are limitless.

3. The Brown Loafer


Casual, comfortable, cool. Dress them up, dress them down. Loafers are
your summer go-to. Heck who says you can’t wear them year round?

Similar to the brogue and the chukka, loafers work with both formal and
casual outfits. This kind of versatility has the loafer sliding in to my top
3.

Though not recommended to wear with a full on suit, loafers look great
paired with a sport coat and denim or chinos. You can go suede or
leather here. Penny or tassel—your pick. Another great option is the
horsebit Gucci loafer of Italian origins, distinguished by the metal strap
across the front. It will surely add a dash of sophistication to your look.
And of course you can’t go wrong with a suede driver like the Monaco
from New Republic, either.

Did you know that tassel loafers originate from the same design
found today in boat shoes?

Less formal than lace-ups, the loafer comes in a myriad of colors of


black, navy, and even green or red for the bold. I suggest a brown
pair for maximum versatility. Leather or suede, it’s up to you.

The bottom line:


Loafers are a summertime staple. The classic weekend shoe that’s
comfortable, easy to slip on, and super stylish.

4. The Minimalist Sneaker


Sometimes even the most dapper of men like to go casual. And with
the casual aesthetic popular as ever, it’s good to have a go-to casual
footwear option. The canvas sneaker is great for all types of casual
outings from ballgames to backyard BBQs.
Did you know that the original canvas sneaker (Keds) was born in
1892 by the U.S. Rubber Company? It’s been said the word “sneaker”
became popularized by an advertising campaign. The shoe’s rubber sole
was so quiet, you could sneak up behind unsuspecting people.

I suggest going for a pair in a neutral shade of beige, white or


gray. That way you won’t have to think too much about what to wear
them with. It goes without saying, but minimalist
sneakers in leather, suede or canvas will always be in style.
The bottom line:
The canvas sneaker is stylish, versatile and a great flip-flop alternative.
It’s the summertime go-to for when you’re keeping it really casual.

5. The Oxford or Derby


The obligatory Oxford or Derby (also called blucher) rounds out my top
5. A black Oxford or Derby is typically the first formal pair of shoes a guy
owns. I know mine was. But it was of the square-toed variety which I do
not suggest. I recommend a more classic rounded toe Oxford or Derby.

You may be wondering what’s the difference between the two. In short,
Oxfords have closed lacing whereas Derbys have open lacing. As for
which is more formal—the Oxford. Here’s an article showing in detail,
the difference between them if you’re curious.

Did you know that the Oxford is named after Oxford University in the
UK? Before this, the Oxford has its origins in Scotland and Ireland, also
known as Balmorals.

I recommend a quality pair of Oxfords. The two main factors that


comprise a quality shoe are price and make.

A good pair of welted leather shoes goes for around $360. Seems pricey,
but investing in a quality pair will last for decades. Brands that have been
around for 20 or more years are reputable. Some have stood the test of
time for over a hundred years.
Brands to know:

• Church’s
• Allen Edmonds
• Aldens
• Tricker’s
• Foster & Son
• Edward Green
• John Lobb

As for color, I would go black or brown here. Black of course is


appropriate for the most formal of occasions; think funerals, weddings,
and black tie events. Brown is more casual and versatile. The lighter the
shade the more casual. A nice cap-toe Oxford or Derby is my
recommendation for a first dress shoe.

The bottom line:


The Oxford and Derby are men’s style essentials. They’re sleek, they’re
dressy, and separate the men from the boys.

6. The Brown Leather Boot


Rounding out the top 6 essential stylish shoes for men is the brown
leather boot. A brown pair of leather boots makes the cut, and for good
reason.

Depending on the style, you can easily add a bit of sartorial


sophistication or rebellious ruggedness to your look. You’ve got dress
boots, casual work boots, chukkas, chelsea boots, and even cowboy
boots.
Did you know that many heritage brand boots like Red
Wing, Thorogood and Wolverine have been around for well over a
hundred years?

You can opt for a more casual work boot or stylish dress boot depending
on whichever your preference is. Whatever the case, there’s a certain
character about a well-worn pair of boots. Some guys go as far as
to intentionally beat the hell out of their boots just for that much desired
worn in look.

I recommend (you guessed it) a brown pair because they go nicely with
dark wash denim, corduroy, chinos or wool trousers. I personally like to
cuff my jeans for a bit of casual flair whenever wearing a pair of rugged
boots like the Wolverine 1000 Mile.

The bottom line:


Brown leather lace-ups are utilitarian, but still look great. The perfect
fall/winter shoe option. Dress them up, dress them down, wear them
into the ground. Clean ’em and do it all over again.
7. The Monkstrap Shoe

Technically the monkstrap is a loafer because it has no laces, you just slip
them on. It comes as a single strap, double strap and even triple straps,
with the double being the most popular. It’s either you love them or you
hate them. I view the monkstrap as a grown man’s velcro sneakers.
Did you know that the name comes from an era in Europe
when monks used to wear shoes with a buckle as an alternative to
sandals?

They’re not for everybody, but many stylish men have at least one pair of
double monks in their wardrobe. Wear them with pants that have no
break (pants cuff just barely skims the shoe) giving the shoe and buckles
the spotlight.

The bottom line:


The monkstrap is an ultra stylish shoe that can be worn formal with a
suit or more casually with jeans and a blazer.

8. The Chelsea Boot


The chelsea boot is popular as ever. It’s iconic in its design, but the
chelsea is not for everybody. I personally disliked the style for the longest
time, but recently came around after realizing they look really good with
jeans and chinos. They can also be worn with suits.
Did you know that the chelsea boot has Victorian roots and has been
around for over 150 years?

Chelseas come in a variety of colors and you can’t go wrong with suede or
leather.

The bottom line:


The simple and clean silhouette of the chelsea boot lends itself to many
different styles of dress; formal or casual, take your pick.

What Socks To Wear With Your Shoes


Our reader also asked about how to wear socks with shoes, and so I
wanted to quickly address a few things.

It’s my opinion that no color of sock is right or wrong. What matters is


the combination of colors you choose. When it comes to socks,
the things to pay attention to are color, pattern and fabric. If
you want to play on the safe side, you can’t go wrong with navy,
burgundy, dark gray or dark brown socks. These go particularly well with
darker colored shoes.

As a rule of thumb, you want your socks to be just as dark as your shoes,
but also keep them close in shade to the color of your pants. And finally,
don’t just think about harmonizing with the color of your shoes and
pants, but all of the other articles of clothing you’re wearing as well.
Lastly—if you’d like, disregard what was said above, and go f’in crazy.
Have fun with your socks as it’s a great way to add personality to your
outfit.

In Closing
A good outfit and good shoes must always go together, you shouldn’t
have one without the other.
I hope this was helpful in illustrating why these shoes made my list of
essential shoes for men.

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