Choosing a pair of dress shoes to wear can be confusing at times.

Sure, you could stick to oxfords and always look put together, but there will be situations that don’t require the highest levels of formality.

For men who want to look sharp and stand out, monk strap shoes might be the greatest gift from the shoe gods!

But, can you wear these shoes with formal outfits?
Actually, how formal are monk strap shoes?

Monk strap shoes are semi-formal shoes that can be worn with jeans, chinos, dress pants, as well as full suits. It is an extremely versatile shoe style that works well with casual, business casual as well as formal outfits, with the only exception of white/black-tie.

If you’ve been excited about monk strap shoes but confused about wearing them formally, then you’ve come to the right place. Just keep the below tips in mind and you’ll rock these beauties, every single time

1) Stay clear of three straps

Monk strap shoes are laceless, but they are also not slip-ons.

The peculiar design feature of monk strap shoes is the presence of buckles, which used to fasten the shoe after wearing it. Based on the number of buckles, these shoes can be called as single monk strap, double monk strap or the triple monk strap

Single monk straps are classic.
Double monk straps are awesome.
Triple monk straps are ….. a bit too much!

The entire appearance of three straps makes the upper part of the shoe look very crowded, which is not the look we’re going for when wearing these shoes formally.

Besides, the monk strap shoe style is a statement in itself – despite its fame, you will find more men wearing oxfords or derbys than monk straps.

So, yes, you will stand out when wearing monk strap shoes. No need to overdo it by going for three straps!

This unique shoe style has also found its way to boots – I’m seeing many monk strap boot variations being designed by brands all around.

Three straps in a monk strap boot should be okay, as long as the first strap stays hidden under your pants

2) Choose regular leather over suede

Suede monk straps are a favourite of mine. They take the beauty of these shoes to the next level!

But when it comes to wearing monk strap shoes with formal outfits, regular leather is more appropriate

This is because suede, because of its velvety texture, is considered more casual than leather. Suede monk-straps will look best when worn with jeans (and sometimes chinos)

For suits and dress pants, it is better to go for normal leather. Calfskin monk straps look especially nice with the more formal outfits, but cowskin works just as well.

And – do remember to keep them shined and ready.

When wearing double monk straps, you can also leave the bottom-strap unbuckled to amp up the coolness a little
(Think of it like leaving the second button of your shirt undone *ooh la la* )

3) Tuxedos are a no-no

Among dress shoes, monk straps might just be the most versatile style.
But that does not mean that it can be worn with anything (read: tuxedos)

Tuxedos form a part of black-tie or white-tie dress codes; events or occasions that have these dress codes expect the highest levels of formality

Monk strap shoes do not fit the super dressy aesthetic and so should be avoided whenever you decide to wear a tux

Tuxedos in colours other than black will be slightly less formal than black ones, but it will still not be appropriate to wear monk straps with them

The only time it is okay to pair tuxedos and monk straps together is when you’re wearing the tuxedo casually i.e. a lighter shade jacket with chinos or dress pants in a different colour. I wouldn’t recommend this personally – you’re better off wearing blazers casually than tuxedos – but if it is something that interests you then it’s worth a try

4) Dark colours over light colours

If you wear smart suits regularly, then get a pair of black monk straps first.
For most other people, dark brown monk straps will prove to be more useful for both business and business casual outfits

In general, light colours are considered to be more casual than dark colours.

So, in the context of wearing monk strap shoes formally – dark colours like black, brown, and oxblood will be better than the lighter shades like tan or beige.

Yes, the lighter shades can be more tempting to buy – there have been many times I’ve gotten carried away and clicked ‘Add to cart’ for tan shoes (I LOVE tan shoes, they look SO good!) – but remember that they are also harder to maintain because the scuffs and scratches will be more visible

If you want to be adventurous, you can also go for bold colours like dark green or navy. These are dark enough to still be formal, but bolder than the classics.
Just make sure you are pairing them properly; shoes of these colours will match only with a few items in your closet

5) Always wear crew length socks

Okay, so I’m assuming that because you’re here to understand the do’s and don’ts of wearing monk straps with formal outfits, you *are* going to wear either chinos or dress pants

To that end, you should always wear socks with dressy outfits.

Why?
Because pants rise up whenever you sit, showing a significant portion of your ankle and lower leg.
And because ‘trendy’ pants are becoming shorter and shorter these days
And because nobody wants to see your bare ankles in the office or that business event!

Sockless looks are better suited for non-suited or casual-suited (see what I did there ) occasions

The bottom line: if you’re wearing jeans with or without a blazer/sports coat, go ahead with no-show socks*
For everything else, crew length (or longer) socks are better.

* no-show socks to give the illusion of being sockless, because it’s never advisable to actually go sockless with these shoes

6) Single-breasted jackets over double-breasted jackets

A double-breasted jacket is to a suit, as Ranveer Singh’s looks are to the rest of us: bold, a conversation starter, and not for everybody

What originally was a casual clothing item has now found its way into the dressiest of wardrobes (and movies too: Kingsmen anybody?)

Although double-breasted suits are widely accepted as business outfits, it still is a statement piece, just like our favourite monk strap shoe!

And having two statement pieces in the same outfit can go wrong in many, many ways (especially for beginners) so it is better to opt for single-breasted suit jackets when wanting to wear monk straps formally.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t pull off the two items together; it just takes a certain level of experience in, and experimentation with men’s style

The post 6 Quick Tips To Wear Monk Strap Shoes With Formal Outfits appeared first on The Shoestopper.

When compared with shoes, socks are generally an afterthought – your shoes cover them, after all.

But socks play a very important role in the overall health of your feet and your shoes. In this post, you’ll know exactly how they do that.

Consider this my love letter to the world of socks
(hope I don’t get friendzoned )
(or should it be foot-zoned? *wonders*)

So, why are socks important? Here’s why:

1) Socks are a fashion statement

Well said, Captain obvious *claps*

It’s true though, isn’t it?

From checks and stripes to polka dots and pizza slices, socks these days come in a wide wild variety of patterns and are a unique way to express your style.

They also make great statement pieces because hey, they’re hidden under your pants most of the time so you can get away with bold colours and patterns!

Sure, you can never go wrong with the classics – neutral, solid colours.
But then, classic is a statement too

2) They provide comfort

Can you imagine the feeling of your foot just rubbing across the material of your shoes?
Sounds pretty uncomfortable to me!

Socks to the rescue!

Cotton, wool, silk, performance fabrics – there are quite a few options for sock materials.

Out of these, cashmere and Egyptian cotton are the favourites for absolute comfort. A good pair of cashmere socks can make you feel like a royal prince walking on a lush velvet carpet in his bedroom. In other words, comfort-max!

Note: Cashmere is expensive. If cashmere socks don’t fit your budget, go for Egyptian cotton ones instead. They’re nothing short of amazing!

3) They protect the feet from blisters

This point expands on the previous one – wearing shoes without socks is never a good idea (more on that here) because the tough material of the shoes (especially when they’re new) can rub against your feet and cause friction

The result – blisters, and shoe bites!

Socks minimize the friction between your shoes and the feet, thus dealing with the problem of blisters

They aren’t the one-stop solution for all foot issues though. If your shoe doesn’t fit well, you can still get shoe-bites even while wearing socks. But it’ll be twice as bad if you weren’t wearing any

4) They improve the fit of your shoes

For shoes that are just slightly loose, socks can be a great way to fill that extra space, thus improving the overall fit of your shoes

If you’re using this tactic, the thickness of your socks will depend on how loose the shoes currently are.

Generally, I’ve found that up to a half-size difference in shoe sizes can be bridged by wearing a pair of socks of appropriate thickness

The inverse of this tip holds true as well. For new leather shoes that are slightly tight in the beginning, thin socks can help ease the break-in period by not taking up extra space inside the shoe.

5) Socks prevent smelly feet

The two biggest weapons against smelly shoes and feet are

a) Proper foot care
b) (yes) Socks!

Thanks to the 2,50,000 sweat glands that they have, your feet produce about 250ml of sweat on an average day. That’s like a full glass of Thums-Up, you guys!

And what does all that sweat do? If unchecked, it’s a buffet for bacteria, which in turn causes that bad bad smell

But socks absorb that sweat – to a great extent, thereby cutting down the bacteria’s food supply!

Moral of the story: A pair of fresh socks a day, keeps the smell monster away

6) They regulate temperature

Have you reached out for a pair of socks when your feet are cold?
If you have, then you already know that socks can keep your feet warm, and thus regulate your body temperature

But winter socks aren’t ideal for the summers. Instead, no-show socks work better – they give you all the other benefits of the socks, while still keeping your ankles free and cool

If you prefer regular crew length socks instead of no-show ones but are worried about feeling hot during the summer, make sure that the socks you buy aren’t too thick.
With local brands, this will hardly be a problem because they would manufacture their socks keeping the weather in mind #VocalForLocal!

7) They protect the shoes

Socks not only protect your feet from your shoes, they also protect your shoes from your feet!

Confused? Think long, uncut toenails scraping the inside of the shoe in the absence of socks.

Let’s be real – a LOT of us often don’t bother to keep our toenails groomed. After all, most men’s shoes are closed-toed i.e. we don’t have to show our feet in the open.. so what’s the point, right?

Wrong
I’m a big advocate of keeping your toenails in check, simply because it’s what any well-groomed gentleman would do.

But for the times you do forget to cut them (and we all do), your socks can act (somewhat) like a barrier and protect your shoes

8) Specialty socks like compression socks improve circulation and prevent leg fatigue

Compression socks are knee length socks that are specially designed to apply pressure on your ankles and lower portion of the leg. This pressure, in turn, helps to maintain blood flow and reduce swelling

These socks are generally advised to people with conditions which cause swelling of the leg or the foot, such as varicose veins

Lately, some athletes have also started using compression socks, claiming an increase in their athletic performance.
Since these socks started off as a medical treatment, though, you should always consult your doctor before using them (self-diagnosis, and self-treatment is never a good idea )

Here are some helpful articles, in case you’d like to read more about compression socks:

• How long should I wear compression stockings to improve my circulation?
• What You Need to Know About Compression Socks Before You Buy
• What to Know About Compression Socks and Stockings
• What You Should Know About Compression Socks
  

9) They make it easy to slip into shoes

It’s difficult to slip into brand new shoes.

A shoehorn helps, but unless your heels are as smooth as a newborn baby’s skin, there is bound to be some friction between the material of the shoehorn and the feet

Socks reduce this friction, thereby making your feet slide in easily.
Less struggle for your thumbs and feet, more happiness for your shoes

10) They can help heal cracked heels

Cracked heels are caused by dry and thickened skin.

In most cases, it causes discomfort and pain while standing or walking, but in severe cases, the cracks or fissures can also become infected.

If you already suffer from cracked heels then not wearing any socks with your shoes can often worsen the situation, due to constant contact of the skin with the back of the shoe.

Socks are also a good supplement to the usual over the top applications. Using vaseline (or any petroleum jelly) on your heels, and then covering them up with socks while you sleep is a great way to seal in the moisture and help heal the cracks
(Plus, your bed won’t get stained as well. Double win!)

11) Socks can increase orgasms (what!)

If you’re amused, I’m with you. I had the same reaction when I first read about it, but it’s true!

A study at the University of Groningen used a brain scanner to look into the human brain during sexual activity. They found that both men and women
found it easier to have an orgasm with their socks on..
In the study, 50 per cent of the 24 men and women analyzed managed to achieve an orgasm without wearing socks, but 80 per cent were only successful when they kept their socks on!

In case you’re intrigued about this, check out ABC’s interview with Professor Gert Holstege, who led this study at the university

I’m no scientist, but I’d say that this could have something to do with points 2 and 6: If you comfortable, and warm – and thus relaxed, it would be easier to have an orgasm, no?

12) They are great gifts!

A multipack set of nice, comfy, colourful (or classic) socks can be a great gift for your buddies! With so many benefits, it shows you care for them, which is the entire point of gift-giving

And if they don’t understand, you can always pass them a link to this article Surely they *have* to appreciate socks after reading it

The post 12 Reasons Why Socks Are SO Important (with 1 Shocking Fact!) appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Slip-ons belong to a broad category of shoes.

Any pair of shoes that do not have laces or buckles can be called slip-on shoes. But this is a generic explanation, and it only adds to the confusion.

If you hate having to tie shoelaces after getting ready, but still want to appear professional – what shoes should you wear? Will slip-ons be okay?

Well, let’s find out!

The formality of slip-on shoes will vary as per their type and material. Leather Loafers, as well as Leather slip-ons without a moc toe are formal and can be worn in a professional setting. Other slip-on shoe types, like moccasins, boat shoes, espadrilles, and slip-on sneakers are more casual and should be worn only with casual outfits.

Here’s a list of slip-on shoe types, ranked from the most formal to the least

1. Loafers
2. Leather slip-ons without moc toe or apron toe
3. Moccasins
4. Boat shoes
5. Espadrilles

There’s also some simple and awesome slip-on style advice ahead, so keep reading

1) Loafers

Loafers are the most formal of all the slip-on shoes..

No, wait. Leather loafers are the most formal of all slip-on shoes.
That sounds better *grin*

If Leather were Godzilla and Suede were King Kong, Godzilla would always trump Kong in the ensuing battle of formality.
(Although I’m personally a Kong guy)

And what makes loafers so formal, you might ask? It’s because of their streamlined and clean silhouette – it works with the subtlety of formal outfits and is not jarring or out of place

By the way, loafers themselves are of various types as well: Penny Loafers, Tassel Loafers, Horsebit loafers, and Belgian Loafers. Among these, penny loafers are more formal than the others, but if you are to wear loafers with formal clothes, either of them will do the trick

What to wear loafers with:

• Suits (when the occasion is not very dressy)
• Chinos
• Dress pants
• Slim fit jeans (will look better with suede loafers)
• Shorts (suede loafers only)

What not to wear loafers with:

• A tuxedo (don’t even think about it)

As you can see, loafers are versatile. If you want a pair of slip-on shoes to wear to the office, these are your best bet

2) Leather slip-ons without moc-toe or apron-toe

These shoes are placed in a separate category in this list because they’re formal, yet not loafers.

A defining characteristic of loafers is the moc-toe or apron-toe, formed by a separate strip of leather stitched on the front of the shoe.
In contrast, these slip-ons don’t have that moc-toe / apron-toe – you could say that they look almost like an oxford shoe but without laces.

These shoes are just as appropriate as leather loafers for formal occasions. You can take any outfit with leather penny loafers, interchange them with these shoes and it will still look fine.

What to wear leather slip-ons with:

• Suits (when the occasion is not as dressy, or you are travelling and need to take off your shoes regularly)
• Chinos
• Dress pants

What not to wear leather slip-ons with:

• A tuxedo
• Jeans
• Shorts

3) Moccasins

Moccasins are the casual cousins of Loafers

Both of them share similar characteristics, with the moccasin toe and the decorations on the vamp (tassels, horsebit, etc)

But the biggest difference between the two is that loafers have a defined heel part, but moccasins don’t. Instead, moccasins, or mocs as they are generally called, have a thin flat sole that wraps around the ends of the upper

I actually have a handy post on the difference between loafers, moccasins and boat shoes. Check it out here

Unlike Loafers, Moccasins are casual shoes. They’ll look out-of-place if you wear them in a formal setting

What to wear moccasins with:

• Chinos (cuff them for extra style points!)
• Slim-fit Jeans
• Shorts

What not to wear moccasins with:

• A tuxedo (duh)
• Suits (duh + 1)
• Dress pants

4) Boat shoes

Boat shoes have laces, but they are unique because the run all around the back of the shoe

These are also the only shoes that are okay to wear pre-laced, and that’s exactly what makes them a part of this list.

Case in point: This guide by Sperry, that shows some fun ways to lace boat shoes

Speaking of formality, boat shoes are casual. Definitely not a pair of shoes you can wear to the office. The perfect occasion would be by the pool or even the beach. (It does have the word “boat” in the name, after all!)

What to wear boat shoes with:

• Jeans
• Shorts

What not to wear boat shoes with:

• A tuxedo (I think we understand this loud and clear by now)
• Suits
• Dress pants
• Chinos (it could work in some cases, but the style of boat shoes just feels overly casual for a pair of smart pants like chinos)

5) Espadrilles

Espadrilles have recently become my go-to summer shoes – They are coolmand comfortable!

Design-wise, they look like plain slip-ons – fabric upper, hardly any detailing, apart from the characteristic flat jute sole. This combination makes them very interesting to wear.

Besides, they aren’t as famous (yet) as some of the other slip-ons on this list. So if you want to set yourself apart, here’s your chance *wink wink*

Just like boat shoes, espadrilles are also a casual shoe style.

You can wear them to all the same places you would wear a boat shoe.
I also wear my espadrilles quite often while running errands on weekends

ProTip: When wearing Espadrilles, go sockless.
Yes, you heard that right – no socks. Not even no-show ones.
For these beauties, it works!

You can wear espadrilles with the same pants you’d wear with boat shoes

What to wear espadrilles with:

• Jeans (Rolled-up jeans look really cool with Espadrilles)
• Shorts

What not to wear espadrilles with:

• A tuxedo
• Suits
• Dress pants
• Chinos

6) Slip-on sneakers

Slip-on sneakers look just the way they sound – they are sneakers without laces!

I’m sure you’ve worn sneakers before.

So you also know that slip-on sneakers are casual shoes, and wearing them in a formal setting is not very nice…

….Unless you’re a rebel, go ahead then B-)

What to wear slip-on sneakers with:

• Suits (only if the sneakers are white, and you’re bold enough to pull off the sneaker + suit trend)
• Chinos (the overall tone of the outfit will still be casual)
• Jeans (Jeans and sneakers belong together!)
• Shorts

What not to wear slip-on sneakers with:

• A tuxedo (Dear Universe, please let this never become a thing)
• Dress pants

There you go!

I hope you’ll never be clueless about slip-on shoes ever again.

Still have questions? Hit me up, or post a comment!

The post Are Slip-on Shoes Formal? 5 Slip-on Shoe Types, Ranked In Formality appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Imagine this: You’re all dressed up, ready for an exciting day or event – perhaps it’s the first day on a new job, or that one wedding you and your friends were looking forward to.

Crisp shirt, ironed pants, shined leather shoes; you basically look like a million bucks, and feel that way too… that is, until you’ve taken four steps towards the door and … “what’s that sound?” “Are those my feet screaming out of discomfort?!” At this point, you have no other option but to bear that pain, while your feet cry like hungry bird-babies in a Tom and Jerry episode

Sound familiar? That’s because it is. It is very common to associate formal shoes with discomfort (they even did a study on it!)

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Once you know the “why” of the discomfort, it becomes easier to answer the “how” of dealing with it. Below are 6 reasons why formal shoes can feel so uncomfortable.

1. You’re wearing the wrong size

Yes, size matters …… in shoes

If your shoes don’t fit well, they will feel uncomfortable.
Shoes that are too small will be tight and constrict your foot.
Shoes that are too big will have unnecessary space inside

You get the gist, right?

Thankfully, there are a handful of tips that can help you nail the fit of your shoes every time you buy them:

• There should be at least 1/2” of space between longest toe and the front of the shoe
• There should be no pressure on the sides of the feet
• One finger should snugly fit between the back of the foot and that of the shoe

Read my complete shoe fit guide here

When facing shoe discomfort, it would be wise to check for size first
Usually, a good quality formal shoe shoe, that fits well, will solve a large number of discomfort issues

2. The shoes are too narrow for your feet

Joey sure had a hand twin, but in the case of feet, everyone is different.
That applies not only to the length but also to the width of the feet.

With shoe sizes, the length of the feet is taken care of – but what about the foot width?

Some people have really wide feet, some people have narrow feet, and some people are blessed by the Shoe Gods with medium-width feet. The most thoughtful brands account for all three variations by making shoes in different widths.

If your shoes feel uncomfortable even after wearing the right size, then this should be the next thing you check for.

Tip: If the shoes you’re buying don’t offer different widths, then check the toe shape. Round toe shoes will be wider than chisel toe shoes and so should work for people with wide feet

3. The insoles are stiff

In most marketing material for shoes, you’ll find that a lot of emphasis has been put on the insole of the shoes. This is because it is an important factor that decides the overall comfort of the shoe

The insole is the part of the shoe that sits between your feet and the actual sole of the shoe. Since insole is the only part of the shoe that comes in contact with the bottom of your feet, its material, and softness will dictate how comfortable the shoe is while walking

Formal shoes will generally have soft leather insoles. Leather insoles will take the shape of your feet over time and provide for a more optimal experience. Good insoles can make shoes with even the hardest outsoles feel comfortable. It’s like magic!

Many shoes have removable insoles, while others have them stitched inside the shoe. Insoles are also separately sold online – you can try them out to see if it helps.

Note that adding extra insoles to shoes will make them tighter

4. You’re not wearing socks

This one’s obvious.

Think of your skin, in direct contact with the leather of those formal shoes. Now add some sweat. Uncomfortable, no?

Wearing shoes without socks is like eating vada-pav without chutney – you can do it, but you’d rather not.

Not wearing socks also adds to the risk of blisters and shoe bites. If you combine this with all the points that we’ve discussed above, then you’re in for some serious discomfort.

But what about the times you want to rock the sockless look?
The answer lies in no-show socks. They will keep your feet comfortable and your shoes odourless.

Bonus points if the socks you buy are of high-quality material, like Egyptian cotton, or cashmere!

5. Your shoes are new!

The biggest reason your dress shoes are uncomfortable is also the most common one – you simply haven’t worn them enough yet!

An important factor behind the comfort of any pair of shoes is its flexibility. Shoes that are more flexible will be more comfortable.

Formal shoes are mostly made of leather, which is initially stiff and inflexible. This means that many types of leather shoes will not be comfortable right out of the box – the leather needs some time to get accustomed to your feet.

We call this process “breaking in your shoes”

Shoe break-in period varies from shoe to shoe. It depends on:

1. The thickness and material of the sole
2. The thickness of the leather upper
3. The method of construction

The thickness and material of the sole:

Leather and rubber are two of the most commonly used materials for making shoe soles. The difference in material plays a part in the flexibility of the shoe, and thus, also affects the break-in period

Rubber is naturally flexible, so rubber-soled shoes will be comfortable right away. If they aren’t, you shouldn’t buy them.

Leather soles, on the other hand, will be stiff in the beginning. But this stiffness should go away in time, depending on the thickness of the sole.

• Thin soles should have a very low break-in period (1 to 3 days of wear)
• Thick soles will take as long as 4 weeks (sometimes even more) to become fully comfortable. This seems like a daunting period, but patience does pay off – because thick-soled shoes will provide support like no other, which, in my experience, takes comfort to the next level

The thickness of the leather upper

Leather upper thickness and sole thickness often go hand in hand, and impact the shoe break-in period similarly

Shoes made of thin leather uppers will be comfortable right out of the box and take hardly a day’s wear to break-in.

Thick leather uppers will be hard and stiff in the beginning. Shoes made of such hard leathers will take quite some time to break in to them

The method of construction

The 3 common methods of shoe construction are Cementing, Blake-Stitching and GoodYear welting

Knowing what construction method has been used to make the shoe will generally give one the best estimates about the shoe break in period.

Here’s why:

• Cemented/Glued shoes will most likely have rubber soles and thin leather, so they should need no time to break-in
• Blake Stitched shoes are not intended to be overly stiff, so break-in times will be really low for these shoes. It can take between 2 days to 2 weeks of wear for Blake stitched shoes to become comfortable, depending on the thickness of the leather and the sole
• Goodyear welted shoes, being the gold standard of shoe quality are made with the maximum support and durability in mind. For this, GoodYear welted construction will combine high quality stiff leather with stiff soles. Due to the nature of its construction, these shoes will take the longest to break-in, anywhere between 2 weeks to 5 weeks of wear

Below is a quick reference table for shoe break-in estimates, based on what we discussed above

Note that boots will require a longer break-in period than low ankle shoes, irrespective of the construction method used.

Summary

As you can see, all the issues that make a pair of formal shoes uncomfortable can be fixed

If you’ve only worn sneakers and sports shoes your entire life, then yes, it will take time for you to get used to leather shoes.

But that patience is ultimately rewarded – the gates of comfort-heaven soon welcome you with open feet
(I know, I know, the expression has ‘arms’ in it.. but ‘feet’ make more sense here )

Formal shoes don’t have to be uncomfortable. They can be one of the most comfortable shoes in your closet. They certainly are, in mine

The post Top 5 Reasons Why Your Formal Shoes Feel So Uncomfortable appeared first on The Shoestopper.

With so many different men’s shoe types, it can get confusing to differentiate between them. In addition to the actual style itself, you also have to consider how formal or casual the shoes are, and which ones to wear when.

Thankfully, there are only a handful of parameters that can be used to compare two shoe styles. And all of them are equally important when it comes to two dress shoe styles that are so different from each other – loafers and oxfords

The primary difference between loafers and oxfords is that loafers are laceless slip-on shoes with a moc toe design, and oxfords are laced shoes with a closed lacing system. Depending on the material, loafers can be semi-formal or casual, while oxfords are always formal – even if they’re made out of suede.

Below are some extra (’cause who doesn’t like extra – yeh dil maange more, right? :D) details on these 5 differences

1) The Lacing

The first point of difference between loafers and oxfords is also the most obvious one: the lacing

Loafers:

Loafers are laceless shoes, which makes them easy to slip on and off. In general, all loafers are slip-on shoes, but not all slip-on shoes can be called loafers.

If the absence of laces, what do loafers have in their place? This answer to this question leads us to the different types of loafers, namely the Penny Loafer, the Tassel Loafer, the Horse-Bit Loafer, and the Belgian Loafer

Each type has a different decoration instead of laces

• The Penny Loafer has a strip of leather across the vamp, with a slit in the center. It is said that this slit was used to keep pennies (one in each shoe), which gave the loafer its peculiar name
• The Tassel Loafer has decorative tassels
• The Horse-bit Loafer has a strip of leather similar to the Penny Loafer, but with a metal horse-bit attachment instead of the slit. This loafer was first designed by the famous designer Gucci, which is why it is also called the Gucci loafer (and still remains a hot selling shoe)
• The Belgian Loafer has a small bow on top

Oxfords:

Oxford shoes are always lace-ups, and their most distinguished feature is the closed lacing system.

In closed-laced shoes like oxfords, the facing (the part of the shoe with eyelets) is sewn under the vamp (the front to the middle portion of the shoe upper)

Unlike open-laced shoes, this feature leaves no opening around the facing i.e. you can hardly see any part of the tongue that’s below the facing, and hence the name “closed lacing”

The closed lacing system makes the silhouette of oxfords sleeker than other shoes.

2) The Toe

Loafers:

Loafers have an additional piece of leather, smaller in size than the vamp, attached to the front portion of the shoe. This gives the appearance of a seam or stitch, starting from one end of the tongue and running all along the shape of the toe to the other end

Based on the size of this leather piece, this shape is called either the Apron Toe or the moccasin toe (“Moc-toe”)

You can read all the differences between the most common types of slip-on shoes here

Oxfords:

Oxfords do not have moc toes or apron toes, but they can instead be grouped based on the other presence or absence of a toe cap

• Cap toes have a small piece of leather stitched on the toe of the shoe, giving it the appearance of a “cap”
• Plain-toe shoes have no toe caps.
  Some men prefer plain toe oxfords over cap toes because of their cleaner look.
• Wingtips are similar to cap toes, but instead of a straight line, the ends of the toe caps are winged with brogueing present along the seems and on the toe

3) Formality

The formality of loafers and oxfords differs based on the material they’re made of, but oxfords will always more formal than loafers

Loafers:

Even though loafers come in the general category of dress shoes, they lie on the semi-formal end of the formality scale.

Because of their design and the lace-less structure, loafers will be inappropriate for very dressy occasions. However, they can work with a suit under the right conditions. Think of them as a business casual or smart casual element of your wardrobe; for any situations that accept such a dress code, loafers will do just fine

The only exception to the semi-formal standard is suede. Suede loafers are the most casual of dress shoes, and so are ideal for casual outfits but not dressy ones

Oxfords:

As mentioned earlier, oxfords sit on the top of the formality scale; they’re the dressiest dress shoes ever!

Their closed lacing system and streamlined design make oxford shoes perfect for any dressy occasion, no matter if you’re wearing a tuxedo, a suit, or just a pair of dress pants with a shirt.

Suede oxfords, though rare, are still made, and should be worn carefully. Suede takes the formality of oxfords down a notch, but dark coloured suede oxfords can still work with a suit as a statement piece (provided the rest of your outfit is balanced)

4) Brogueing

Brogueing refers to the art of adding holes/perforations in shoes in the form of intricate and beautiful patterns. When shoemakers first started doing this, it had a functional purpose, but now is purely decorative

Loafers:

Brogued Loafers are very rare, but a quick google search shows that they do exist.

With the moc toe and other decorative elements, I’d say that there isn’t any space left for brogueing! One way would be to go for a wingtip instead of the moc toe, but then the shoe can’t technically be called a loafer *shrugs*

Oxfords:

Brogueing on oxford shoes is so common that there’s an actual Hollywood movie dialogue dedicated to it: “Oxfords, not brogues!” (if you know, you know )

Needless to say, you will find every second or third oxford shoe on the market with some kind of brogueing.

Based on the extent of the design, these can be categorized into 3 main types

• Quarter brogues, which have perforations present only along the seams on the upper of the shoe
• Semi brogues or half brogues, which have a design on the toe of the shoe in addition to the brogueing along the seams. These are usually cap-toes
• Full brogues or wingtips, where the ends of the cap-toe are winged with brogueing all along them

5) Construction

The construction of a shoe refers to the way a shoe’s upper is attached to the sole. This plays an important part in the durability and flexibility of the shoe.

Although there are many different methods that are used by manufacturers for their shoes, the most common methods of construction are cementing, Blake Stitching, and Goodyear Welting

• Cementing is a process where the sole is stuck to the upper of the shoe. This is the cheapest, but the least durable method
• In Blake Stitched shoes, there is a single line of stitching that attaches the shoe’s upper to its sole. Blake Stitched shoes are light and flexible; a lot of good-quality brands around the world use blake stitching as their preferred method of shoe construction
• Goodyear welting is the gold standard of shoe construction. The process involves the use of a welt – a strip of leather that runs along the circumference of the outsole and is used to hold the upper, insole, and outsole together.
  Goodyear Welted shoes have two running stitches- one joins the welt to the insole and the upper and the second joins the welt to the outsole.

Phew – that sounds complex, I know. But it’s necessary to at least be aware of these three techniques before we move further

Loafers:

The most commonly available loafers on the market will be either cemented or Blake-stitched.

Goodyear welting, although very sturdy, makes a shoe heavy and less flexible. Because of this, it is not a preferred option for loafers, which are known for being laid back and casual

Oxfords:

All three construction methods are used for oxford shoes, including goodyear welting. Actually, Goodyear welted oxfords are a yardstick for the highest quality of men’s shoes.

Blake stitched oxfords are just as good, but cemented oxfords are generally not recommended due to their low durability

Recommended Wearing: Choosing between Oxfords and Loafers

Congratulations, you’ve reached the end (almost :P)
I’m hoping most of your confusions regarding these two styles are clear by now, but there is one piece of information that is left to be discussed – how do you decide whether to wear oxfords or loafers?

I like to keep the process simple, and let the other items in my outfit make help me make the decision:

Loafers:

Wear them with:

• Suits (when the occasion is not very formal)
• Chinos
• Dress pants
• Slim fit jeans (will look better with suede loafers)
• Shorts (suede loafers only)

Don’t wear them with

• A tuxedo (don’t even think about it)

Oxfords:

Wear them with:

• Tuxedos (oh yeaaah!)
• Suits (Suits and oxfords are a match made in style heaven)
• Dress Pants
• Chinos

Don’t wear them with

• Jeans (not even if the shoes the made of suede)
• Shorts

As you can see, both oxfords and loafers can be worn with dress pants and chinos. If wearing either of these pants, you can decide the shoes based on the level of formality that the situation demands – Remember, oxfords will always be more formal than loafers

The post Loafers vs Oxfords: 5 Main Differences You Need To Know appeared first on The Shoestopper.