Most of us graduated from Jordan’s to a dress shoe once we left college. This shift might have became quite apparent when that first major job offer probably sent you on the search for a new wardrobe that I hope included a few quality pair of work-appropriate shoes. The important thing to remember is that your shoe completes the look – don’t sell yourself short. Like women, men can categorize their shoes in three ways: comfortable, classy and stylish. A combination of all three means you simply have to buy them. As more of my friends break into the professional world, the most common question becomes: which shoes can I wear with this? While the options are many, the specific styles of shoe are few. I most often suggest the Oxford or a loafer.
Traditionally leather and usually plain, the Oxford is generally a formal, laced shoe that’s sold in a range of styles. From the perforated hole wing-tip to the end stitched cap-toe, the Oxford is a versatile shoe that will at times make for a more formal option than a loafer or moccasin. Besides the typical office wear, trends have more recently loaned the Oxford to relaxed, business-casual and casual outfits with jeans and khakis. Sold most commonly in black and brown, Oxfords can also be purchased in gray and color combinations.
Many guys will wear the Oxford with suits as a safe bet. My favorite corporate executives in Raleigh, North Carolina showed me that going sock-less in my ‘Gamos (Salvatore Ferragamo’s) while sporting a pair of slacks and a sports coat is completely okay. Chinos, slim-fit denim and shorts all have “a look” with loafers and drivers. [Most commonly with socks] the slip-on, laceless loafer/driver is arguably a more comfortable alternative to the Oxford. A shoe that I’m more inclined to wear in the spring and summer, the loafer provides a more casual look; for me it’s more fun and more versatile. For many designers, loafers are premiering this season in a number of different styles and fabrics. The dressier options tend to include buckles along the top of the loafer. This, in my opinion, gives the shoe a more polished, a more elegant finish.
Photo via TheStyleBlogger.com
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-Brian Riddick
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