All this talk of investing in shoes can be overwhelming, I get it.
And we know that shoes are important, but where to start?
With so many different types in the market, it sure is confusing to pick the right ones to buy.
After all, you wouldn’t want to put in all that money in something that looks great but
- doesn’t work for your lifestyle
- is totally out of place with the occasions you’re planning to use it for
- not the right match for most of your daily outfits
via GIPHY
But don’t worry, I’ve got your back (or feet, in this case *grin*)
Consider the below list as a starter pack for building your very own collection – the shoes every man should own. Together, they round up your wardrobe pretty well and will meet up to 95% of your dressing needs. And paired with the right outfit, these can seamlessly take your look from the office to party.
Stick till the end, and there’s a BONUS shoe type waiting just for you. #TeamShoeStopper can’t stop raving about it. You’ll see 🙂
Ready to dive in? Here we go:
1) Oxford shoes
No list of men’s shoes will ever be complete without this classic and timeless style. Be it 1919, 2019, or 2119 – the Oxford shoe has and always will be a menswear staple. These shoes have been worn from as early as the 1640s, but they got really popular in the 1800s and since then there’s been no going back!
The defining characteristic of the oxford shoe is its closed lacing system, in which the shoelace eyelets are attached to the vamp. The vamp is the front area of the shoe that surrounds the toes and instep; in oxford shoes, this vamp is stitched on top of the two quarters (sides and back) instead of the other way around. It is this peculiarity that gives the Oxford shoe its sleek look
This style has evolved into so many varieties with time that there is something for everyone. Some of them include captoes, brogues and wholecuts
The option that you choose really depends on the level of formality desired for everyday workwear. Any kind of brogueing adds a casual touch to the shoe, however it should still be okay in most offices.
If you are going to have just one pair of dress (formal) shoes, this should be it. They go perfectly with suits and dress pants, but can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans or chinos. Nowadays, certain types come with sneaker like rubber soles, making it more appropriate to wear with casual outfits.
TSS suggests:
As your first pair, we would recommend black since it is the most formal and can match with everything. But dark shades of brown are a great choice too.
Our picks:
- Bata Black Cap-toe Oxfords
- Red Tape Brown Cap-toe Oxfords with Brogueing
- Red Tape Black Cap-toe Oxfords
- Ruosh Black Cap-toe Oxfords
- Hush Puppies Black Cap-toe Oxfords
- Ruosh Brown Cap-toe Oxfords
- Hush Puppies Brown Wingtip Oxfords
2) Loafers
Going down the formality scale, we have the Loafers. The two most known kinds of loafers are Penny and Tassel loafers. Penny loafers are the most ideal when building a versatile collection; like the oxford they are amongst the classics, and not too difficult to pull off too.
Photo by Robert Sheie on Flickr
The distinctive feature of penny loafers is the additional piece of leather (called saddle) stitched horizontally across the instep with a small diamond shaped cutout in the center. It’s the use of this cutout that is said to have given the Penny Loafar its interesting name: Secondary school boys in the 1950s America started inserting penny into the diamond shape cutout as a fashion statement, and eventually the word ‘penny’ simply became associated with this style due to its popularity. At the time, two pennies were also sufficient for using the pay phone to make calls, and the cutouts were a good place to keep the coins so that you have them ready in case of an emergency.
Penny loafers can work with suits, but they’re more at home with semi formal or business casual outfits. Paired with no-show socks, these loafers also look really good as summer shoes. Worn correctly, a good penny loafer will be extemely cool with shorts
TSS suggests:
This would be a good time to introduce some light shades of brown/tan to the wardrobe. Suede will add an extra oomph to the pair. However, if you are planning to use the loafer as your second pair of work shoes, then it would be better to go for a darker shade as they tend to be more dressy. Dark brown suede will work wonders!
Our picks:
3) White Sneakers
Oh, the white sneaker! <3
While we love all the shoes on this list, these are an absolute must-have for every guy.
No, really. You have to get these. They are the perfect ‘I-would-like-to-experiment-with-something-new-but-not-too-overwhelming’ shoes.
White sneakers are one of the most foundation pieces, that will go with literally everything from a pair of shorts to even a suit.
Now, plain white shoes can and will feel odd if you’ve never worn them before, but there’s light (which is white :P) at the end of the tunnel.
Once comfortable, you’ll never go back.
TSS suggests:
Go for white sneakers in leather instead of the fabric ones. They look sharper and are comparatively easier to clean and maintain.
Our picks:
4) Sports/running shoes
Exercise is important, and having a functional piece of footwear to assist can make all the difference in your workout. And that is why a dedicated pair of sports/running shoes have a place in every man’s closet
There are a ton of options available today, based on the cushioning, stability and other requirements that you might have. Your choice will also depend on the kind of sport you use it for.
We’ll have a full guide on running shoes soon, and I will link it here once it is done.
If you lift weights, make sure you have a shoe specifically for that. It doesn’t have to be fancy, the usual Converse shoes work well. They have a flat, hard sole that helos you keep your feet firmly planted to the floor while lifting.
TSS suggests:
Please Please PLEASE keep these shoes reserved only for sports.
The overall aesthetic of such shoes look out of place with anything other than sports wear.
5) Chukka Boot
Photo by C & J Clark archive on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Chukka boot
Photo by Reinthal on Wikimedia
Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Boots are fall-winter essentials, and with so many different kinds everyone has their own favorite. The one we’re talking about here is super elegant and works almost year round (except the really hot summers): the Chukka Boot. These are ankle length boots with an open lacing system having 2 or 3 eyelets max. Anything more than that cannot be considered as Chukka and leans more toward the casual/work boots category. A common variation of Chukka boot is The Desert boot; both terms are used interchangeably today and have no distinction with respect to the basic silhouette.
Chukka boots look very classy and work well for most silhouettes. Like all the other shoes on this list, they are nothing if not versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion
TSS suggests:
By now you should have already black and/or brown, tan and white in your closet – so we can step a little outside our comfort zone here. Dark Blue suede looks really chic, while the OG desert boot is always a favorite. You could also go for dark brown/black leather and add it to your work outfits. A great way to decide on the suede/leather will be on the basis of the loafers that you got. Try to have at least one suede shoe so that everything is well rounded
Our picks:
- Escaro Navy Blue suede Chukka boots
- Red Tape Dark brown Chukka boots
- Ruosh Tan Leather Chukka boots
- Kenneth Cole Navy Blue Dessert boots
6) BONUS –
Double Monk Strap Shoes
Single Monk Strap Shoe
Photo by Menswear Market
A monk strap shoe has no lacing and is closed by a buckle and a strap, hence the name. Depending on the number of straps (one or two) they can be respectively classified as single monk straps or double monk straps.
With different buckle and strap options, these shoes are more of a unique and modern style that make a statement, so it can really give your outfits that extra edge and personality.
I’m a big fan of the Double Monks; wear them and say yes to all the compliments that will rush your way. Stylish rockstar, and all that 😉
TSS suggests:
Burgundy/Oxblood Monk Straps for the win! In terms of colors, this will fill all the remaining gaps in your collection
Our picks:
- Ruosh Brown Double Monk shoes
- Teakwood Leathers Black Double Monk shoes
- Fellmonger Burgundy Double Monk Straps
DRUM ROLLS PLEASE!
You’ve reached the end of this list. Time for some Joey dance!
Here’s the list in point form for easy reference –
Shoes every man should own in 2019, to build a collection versatile enough for his every need:
- Oxfords
- Loafers
- White Sneakers
- Sports/Running Shoes
- Chukka Boot
- Double Monk Straps
We can’t wait for you to try these out and feel as good about yourself as we feel about you!
Which out of these six shoes is your favourite? Got any other questions?
Let us know in the comments!
