Loafers and socks is a topic with many different opinions

Some people swear by wearing loafers without socks – while others repeatedly defend their argument that not wearing socks is just a trend that needs to go away as soon as possible, period.

With the jury still out on this, I prefer taking the middle-ground.

The gist: Wear what you want, and don’t wear what you don’t want

It is completely okay to wear socks with your loafers – sharp and stylish men have been doing it for a long time. Even if you prefer going sockless, the recommended approach would be to wear loafer/no-show socks that make it look like you aren’t wearing any socks. The trick to picking socks for loafers it to ensure that your entire outfit has a single standout colour at a time, be it your socks or something else. You can also stick to neutral colours and plain socks for a conservative look, and keep all the large patterns for casual wear

What Are Loafers?

So, you already know what loafers are? Well done B-)

Nevertheless, there’s one major point that I wanted to put across, so let’s talk about it –

Simply put, a loafer is a kind of slip-on shoe that has

• A separate sole and a distinct heel
• A moc toe or apron toe

Moc toes are made by a separate piece of material that is stitched on the upper of the shoe and extends till the toe. In contrast, this piece stops before your toes in an apron toe

Moc toes are a primary feature of moccasin shoes – which are another style of similar shoes. But loafers exist with both types of toes. If you’d like to read about the detailed difference between moccasins and loafers, I have a post about it here

All loafers are slip-on shoes but all slip-on shoes are not loafers.

Anything without a moc or apron toe (like this shoe below) cannot be considered a loafer (although the ideas and tips about socks would be fairly similar)

Types of Loafers

Loafers have a long and rich history and have evolved into different styles.

The categorization is generally done based on the decorative element on the vamp of the shoe. Loafers can be divided into four types: the penny loafer, the tassel loafer, the Gucci loafer, and the Belgian loafer

Penny Loafer

Penny loafers are one of the most commonly known loafers today, and by far my favourite of all the four types

These shoes are characterized by a separate piece of leather (called a saddle) that is placed across the vamp of the shoe – with a diamond-shaped cutout.

Stories say that these loafers got their peculiar name thanks to prep school students in mid-20th century America, who used to insert pennies in the diamond cutout of their loafers. Whether it was a fashion statement or for a functional purpose (two pennies were sufficient for a telephone call at that time) – we cannot say, but the name quickly caught on and that’s how most of the world knows these shoes today

Tassel Loafer

While Penny Loafers have their signature and classic saddle, Tassel loafers go more preppy with two tassels that are stitched on the vamp

I must admit, tassel loafers are not for everybody. I certainly did not like them earlier, but they seem to have grown on me recently

These loafers, due to their decorative tassels, are more casual than penny loafers

Gucci (or Horsebit) Loafer

Like the name states, these loafers were introduced by the iconic Italian designer Gucci

These loafers have a saddle-like piece like penny loafers, but instead of the diamond cutout, Gucci added a metal strap on the saddle. The strap resembled the shape of a horse’s snaffle i.e. the bit mouthpiece for the horse used while riding. It was this metal strap that gave the shoe its alternative name: the Horse-bit Loafer

At the same formality level as a penny loafer, gucci loafers are acceptable to be worn with suits

Belgian Loafer

Belgian Loafers are another popular loafer style, and the most casual of all.

These loafers, also called as Belgian shoes, have no saddles or tassels but a small distinctive bow on top. The apron toe looks a little different too, with a contrasting trim along its edges and the shoe – usually in the colour of the bow.

Belgian loafers come in many different colours and material, with suede being one of the popular choices

These loafers are best worn casually with cotton pants, or a pair of chinos or jeans

No Socks vs Loafer Socks: An Important Difference

Generally, it is recommended that you always wear socks with a pair of dress shoes, unless you are okay with –

• Damage to your shoes because of all the foot sweat
• Smelly shoes and feet
• Blisters

I’m sure none of us want that. So the underlying meaning behind the terms ‘sockless look’ or ‘no socks look’ is to actually wear socks that make it look like you’re aren’t wearing any socks.

Loafer socks (also called as no-show socks) come to the rescue here. They hide inside the shoes allowing you to keep up with the trendy look, while still providing all the benefits of socks B-)

So, even when you don’t want to look like you’re wearing socks, you can (and should) wear (no show) socks!

If you’d rather go literally sockless instead of pretending about it, then make sure you read through to the end of the article. I have a few tips for you to know when it’s okay to not wear any socks with loafers

Top 5 Tips To Wear Socks With Loafers

Below are some specific tips for wearing socks with loafers. I also have a detailed guide on wearing socks with formal shoes that talks about the general sock wearing rules

#1: Neutral Solids Always Look Wonderful

As compared to other dress shoes styles, a loafer is low shoe. This means that the lower part of your ankles are open instead of being covered by the shoe.

This also means, that more of your socks would be visible with a pair of loafers, even when you’re standing up.

Showing your socks in this manner can be uncomfortable in the beginning, which is one of the reasons you might wonder if it is okay to wear socks with loafers

However this also presents us with a unique opportunity to be thoughtful about our sock choices with loafers, and solid socks do wonderfully well in that regard.

Solid coloured socks are a great starting point as you’re figuring out your own tastes and preferences, and once you’ve mastered them – you can always play around with colours and patterns (more on that later)

Go for neutral colours like dark blue, black, brown, gray, deep red.

They will complement any outfit that you put together so you wouldn’t have to worry much about matching.

Now, I also have a few words of caution here:

• White socks are neutral too – but avoid them like the plague, or covid-19 (or both?)
  Sure, you’ll stand out if you wear white socks, just not in the manner I’d want you to
• Most of the colours mentioned above will go well with each other – except for black and brown. That means no black socks with brown shoes, unless you’re wearing Belgian loafers with black trim along its edges – that one doesn’t look so bad

You can also pick and put contrasting neutrals together – like light gray socks with black shoes, or stick to combining close shades together – like deep red socks with brown shoes.

With black shoes, any pair of socks will be a contrast – so pay special attention when your wear those. Navy or black socks will be the safest best with black shoes, as they will be mostly reserved for formal occasions

#2: Match Socks With Your Pants or Loafers For A Seamless And Conservative Look

Matching socks with your pants is always a safe and stylist bet, and especially well with loafers

It is very easy to go overboard with socks when wearing them with any kind of loafer, so this tip intentionally keeps the entire outfit toned down and conservative.

And if you are heading to an event that is supposed to be formal – then choosing your sock colours becomes ever more important to be respectful of the dress code. Wearing socks in the same colour as your pant provides for a seamless look, not attracting any extra attention towards your feet. Subtlety is always nice

To add some interest, you can also go for socks with small traditional patterns or ribbed socks as long as the overall shade of those socks is close to the pants

But what should you do if you love trousers in bold and unique colours? (Red pants, I see you ;))

The answer is the same. Matching your socks becomes even more important then because your pants would already be the one visually interesting detail about your outfit. Be mindful of wearing such pants for dressy occasions – I’d stick to dark/neutral colours

Another idea is to match socks with your loafers instead, which is a different take on sock matching but still conservative.

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I’m sure a lot of us have already been doing this unintentionally for years, knowing how there is always a confusion whether to match your socks with your shoes or your pants. (Now you know the answer – both work *grin*)

The only caveat here is to have at least some contrast between your pants and shoes/socks. Blue pants, blue socks, and blue shoes would be a bit too much, don’t you think?

#3: If The Rest Of Your Outfit Is Neutral, A Pop Of Colour Is Okay

This is an extension of the previous two points: we’re keeping the solids but going for a non-neutral colour instead.

If you want to be a little more adventurous, add a pop of contrasting colour via your socks! Your socks will stand out, but if the rest of your outfit has neutral tones it looks very good

I’ve got a few pairs of bold socks especially for this – orange, yellow, sky blue, purple, even pink. Here are a few different ideas on how you could wear these

• Yellow socks + blue pants + tan loafers + beige jacket or light shirt.
  It’s a combination with a bold sock choice, sure, but still not overbearing
• Orange socks + khaki chinos + dark brown loafers.

If you noticed, we’re following a part of all the previous tips here. These combinations are

1. Solid – when buying bright coloured socks I prefer to find solid ones without any patterns (ribbed ones are okay). The colour speaks for itself and such socks do not require any extra detail to make them interesting
   
2. Closely matched with either pants (orange socks and khakis) or shoes (yellow socks and tan shoes)
   You don’t always have to match your socks this way, but it helps to make the entire decision a whole lot easier

If you’d like to go bolder, you can also add an accessory in a similar colour: it could be a pocket square, tie, bracelet, or a watch

But if you’re not comfortable with such socks – that is okay too! There are so many different socks out there, and I’m sure some of the other tips would work for you

#4: Reserve The Bold Patterns For More Casual Wears

For all those occasions where you can go casual, it is time to have some fun with your socks (I’m a BIG supporter of fun socks)

You can safely bring out your bolder socks and add some personal flair to your outfits – wide stripes, checks, big polka dots – all will do. Do keep it balanced – usually, a single bold or interesting piece in an outfit is a good idea, keeping the rest of it toned down.

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In terms of socks, this could mean big blue polka dot socks with brown penny loafers, olive chinos, and a button-down white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Or if you’re going for a fun pattern, you could wear it with a pair of tassel or Belgian loafers, dark wash denim and a nice polo shirt in neutral colours

Loafers are somewhere between formal and casual, which makes it easier to wear them with a variety of socks.

Black loafers are the only exception; since black is a formal colour wearing bright or preppy socks with them will look a bit off. Other than that, feel free to experiment when you’re wearing loafers casually – there is not much that could go wrong.

With laid back outfits, no-show socks are a great option as well.

These loafer socks come in many cool patterns and colours – but since they’re going to be hidden inside your shoes anyway it doesn’t matter which ones you choose – unless your shoes are going to be off for extended periods of time (like at prayer meetings or pujas)

In such cases, the same tips of pattern matching apply

#5: The One Time With Loafers You Should Always Pretend To Go Sockless

This post is about socks with loafers, but if you’re wearing shorts then you should definitely pretend to go sockless

No-show socks are the perfect, and only appropriate pairing with loafers and shorts. While ankle length socks are acceptable too, they are better suited for athletic and sports use and not for something as casual as shorts and loafers

When Can You Wear Loafers Without Socks?

Go Ahead And Sock Them!

Loafers are the perfect shoes for a simple, sharp relaxed style, and you can take them to the next level by adding a personal flair with the help of socks.

Whether they are no-show or calf-length, the right type of socks will keep your feet and shoes healthy, while also helping you create many different and stylish looks.

When compliments start flying your way, do let me know

The post Here’s How You Totally Can Wear Socks With Loafers appeared first on The Shoestopper.

When it comes to dress shoes, there are many different styles.

All it takes is just one google search to get the entire list. However, simply knowing about these styles isn’t enough to understand how to wear them appropriately.

Loafers are casual.
A pair of monk strap shoes are great for business casual but can also be worn with suits.
Oxfords should not be worn with anything other than suits. Or, can they? (Answer: yes, you can)

If you look beneath the surface – you’ll find a whole lot of questions like these. The one we’re tackling today is major – and that is the difference between oxfords and brogues, and whether to choose a pair of oxfords or brogues for a particular occasion

Oxfords and brogues are not exclusive from each other. Brogue isn’t a shoe style in itself but instead refers to any style of shoes that have decorative holes or perforations on them. So – oxford shoes can be brogues as well.

Plain oxford shoes will be appropriate and stylish for any formal event, while oxfords with broguing are great choices for business casual and some formal dress codes. The formality of oxford brogues will be decided by the level of detailing that is present – lesser the broguing, dressier the shoe.

Similarly, derby brogues are less formal than oxfords and oxford brogues and so will be best worn with smart casual pants like chinos or jeans.

In the rest of the post, we’ll get into more detail about these shoes and different situations you can wear them in.

What Are Oxford Shoes?

So what exactly does the oxford shoe style mean?

Oxford shoes are the most formal when compared to all the other shoe styles, but the biggest point of distinction is its closed lacing system. This denotes the manner in which the eyelets and laces are attached to the shoe, which in the case of oxfords, is “closed off”

To put in simple words, this means that the two parts of the shoe that have the eyelets cannot be moved up or down like flaps (like derbys, which we cover later on)

In technical terms, this means that in an oxford shoe – the vamp always goes above the quarters, and the tongue is a separate piece that is attached onto the vamp

Oxford shoes will most commonly have either five or six pairs of eyelets, depending on the region they are made in

Different Types Of Oxfords

A lot of details can be added to or removed from a pair of shoes – which leads to different types within the same shoe style

For oxfords, the different types are mainly three: Cap-toe, Plain-toe, and Whole-cut. Although there are slight differences between them in terms of formality, any of these three types are appropriate enough for any formal occasion

Cap-toe Oxford

Cap toe oxfords can be identified by the presence of a round cap over the toe area of the shoe. To make this, a different piece of leather is stitched to the end of the vamp giving it the distinctive cap shape

Cap-toe or not is usually a matter of personal taste. I find cap-toe oxfords more interesting so I tend to go for them when buying new shoes

Plain-toe Oxford

In plain-toe oxfords, there is no separate toe part – the vamp and the toe area is a single piece of leather

Following the less-is-more definition, plain-toe oxfords are often said to be more formal than cap-toe oxfords.

And while I generally agree with that – in my opinion, the toe is not a major point of difference and both these oxford shoe types can still be worn interchangeably. As mentioned earlier, it depends more on your preference than the level of formality itself

Whole-cut Oxford

Whole cut oxfords have no quarters, no vamp, and no heel counters. The entire shoe is made of a single piece of leather, which also makes the design of this particular oxford very clean and sleek

This sleekness is what many people like about this shoe – it is very difficult to go wrong with a pair of whole cut oxfords!

Whole cut oxfords are also the dressiest of all the three oxford types, and are best reserved for the most formal occasions like black-tie

What Is A Derby Shoe?

Wait, you wanted to know about oxfords or brogues – Where does a derby come into the picture?

Well, it is important to our discussion, and a few paragraphs down you’ll understand how

Like oxfords, derby shoes are laced shoes as well, but they have an open lacing system. The vamp and the tongue are a single piece of material, and here the quarters are sewn over the vamp instead.

Before I started learning and collecting shoes, this was perhaps the only style of formal shoes I knew – because it’s so commonly seen everywhere.

Derbys are easy to put on and adjust due to the flap-like quarters. Because the laces are open, you can also see the ‘V’ like shape that’s formed by the quarters when viewed from the top

However, derbys are less formal than oxford shoes

What Are Brogues?

Here we are – the mighty brogues!

Brogues are often a topic of much discussion in the menswear forums. Men (and many women too) all around the world enjoy wearing their brogues, and rightly so.

But you’d be surprised to hear that brogues aren’t actually a separate style of shoe.

What makes a shoe a brogue, then?

Those holes that you see in some dress shoes – they are the defining feature of a brogue shoe. Broguing refers to the art of engraving patterns and designs on the shoe in the form of tiny holes or perforations. These perforations originally had a functional purpose but now they are purely decorative. Any shoe, that has broguing present can be referred to as a brogue shoe

So, oxfords and brogues are not separate. Sure, you can have oxfords without any broguing, but there are also oxford brogues.

Since broguing can be done any style of shoe, it’s more of an umbrella term spanning across multiple shoe styles. Oxfords and Derbys are the most common shoe styles that have broguing, though, and these are the ones we’re focusing on in this post

Different Types Of Brogues

Depending on the extent of broguing, brogue shoes are of 4 different types

Full Brogues (or Wingtips)

A full brogue will have perforations along every seam of the shoe, with a toe shape that resembles a curved ‘M’ or ‘W’. It is for this reason that full brogues are also referred to as wingtips

Such shoes will also have a medallion: an attractive design made up of perforations on the toebox of the shoe. The design of the medallion is often a great way to show off the creativity of its maker

Menswear style rules say that the higher the extent of broguing, the more casual the shoe. By those standards, a wingtip brogue will always be the least dressy shoe of all brogue types

Semi Brogues (or Half Brogues)

Half brogues are the same as wingtips – but with a cap toe instead of the wingtip toe.

Broguing is done on the seam of the cap as well, and half brogues will also have a medallion design on the toes

The cap toe makes semi brogues one notch dressier than wingtips, but for most occasions, both of these types can be worn interchangeably. These are my favourite kind of brogues as they offer a variety of opportunities to dress up or down

Quarter Brogues

Quarter brogues have no medallion design, and broguing is present only the seam of the cap toe

These are the most formal of all brogues, and the right choice if you want to wear brogues with suits

Longwing Brogues

In Wingtips, the W toe shape ends at the sides. But for Longwing brogues, it extends all along the shoe to the back where it ends at the center seam

Needless to say, these are just as casual as full brogues

Oxfords Not Brogues: The Kingsman word of advice

Now that the difference between oxfords and brogues is clear, I thought I’d take a short detour to briefly talk about these three famous words from the Kingsman movie: “Oxfords, Not Brogues”

(Side note: This movie is brilliant, isn’t it?! If you haven’t seen it yet, I’d strongly recommend you to leave everything and go watch it!)

So – Brogues and Oxfords aren’t mutually exclusive. Why then does the dapper-as-ever Harry say to choose one over the other?

Wait, did he and entire team of the movie get it wrong?!

Well, you can’t say. There are a lot of menswear blogs that have discussed what the line could’ve meant. I think Harry was just playing it safe. When it comes to classic men’s style, fewer details mean more formal: and if you go by that rule brogues don’t seem appropriate for dressed-up outfits like full suits

It’s a rule that’s broken over and again these days, though. You can totally wear brogues with suits too, if you’re intentional about it

And that’s what this next section is about

Oxfords Or Brogues: What To Wear When

The below sections list the clothing pieces that work well with the various types of oxfords and brogues.

For the sake of simplicity in this article – oxfords refer to oxford shoes that have no broguing, and brogues are either oxfords or derbys with different types of broguing

Whole Cut Oxfords

Whole cuts will be the dressiest shoes in your closet, and you can wear them for all formal outfits.

Think of black tie events, weddings, funerals, formal parties, and even office meetings.

Be it a tuxedo, full suit, or just a pair of formal dress pants – whole cut oxford shoes will work with them. Personally, I think these shoes pair the best with some kind of formal jacket though. Their clean look and aesthetic demands that the rest of your outfit is also completely dressed up and on point

Plain Toe / Cap Toe Oxfords

Plain toe or Cap toe oxford shoes will be slightly forgiving than whole cut oxfords, and you can still wear them with all your formal outfits

I’d avoid wearing these shoes with chinos or jeans. There are better choices if you want to dress down – no matter how much you try these shoes by design will always be a highly dressy shoe

Stick with dark colours like black, brown, or oxblood. They will match with most suit colours and dress pants

Oxford Quarter Brogues

If you don’t regularly wear a tuxedo (I think most people don’t), then quarter brogued oxfords are a great place to start keeping both versatility and style in mind

These shoes are still formal though, so it would be wise to stay away from lighter colours or casual pants

Given a choice between plain and quarter brogued oxfords, I’ll choose the quarter brogues every time. The broguing on the toe cap gives the shoe an interesting look, without letting it stray too far towards the casual side

Oxford Semi-Brogues

The type of oxford shoe every man must own? Yes sir, it’s this one.

Except for black-tie outfits like a tuxedo, oxford semi brogues can be worn with almost every type of pants (shorts and cargo pants don’t even count, duh)

Pair them with a daytime suit for a business casual look, or head to that wedding dressed up in your best dark suit. Chinos and jeans are okay too! Because these shoes work with a variety of outfits – choosing the right colour is key here as it will help set the overall tone of your outfit.

Like always – do remember: dark is dressy, light is not.

Are you sold on these shoes already, or need I convince some more?

Oxford Wingtips

Amongst oxfords, wingtips are the least dressy shoe and that is why you shouldn’t wear them with formal suits

For an event in the day, these shoes will still work fine, but with dark colours (or dark tan, if the occasion is casual)

These are the shoes Harry wouldn’t want you to wear

They do look killer with a pair of jeans, though

Derby Quarter Brogues

Take a derby and add some broguing – and you automatically get a casual shoe, despite the level of detailing

It’s for the same reason that these shoes are best reserved for chinos and jeans – and at times with dress pants

Can you wear Derby Quarter Brogues with a suit?

In the right colour, I think you can, provided the dress code is not too strict. But these type of shoes will always be less formal than their oxford counterparts

Derby Semi Brogues

While you could still get away with wearing quarter brogue derbys with a suit, semi-brogues are a no go for formal outfits

But they really shine in the business-casual/smart-casual section. If you tend to dress more casually otherwise or for work, then you must have at least one of these in your closed.

They will add an extra edge and sharpness to your outfits.

Derby Wingtips

The most casual brogues? Yes, these are the ones!

Derby Wingtips are my favourite pair of shoes for jeans. It.looks.so.good.

I have a Good Year Welted pair in tan colour, and I wear those shoes all the time with my jeans and chinos. Since you’re likely to be wearing these casually anyway, the colour is not a problem. Go crazy (but only if you want to)!

When It’s Decision Time, Keep The Style In Mind

Choosing between oxfords or brogues doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you stick to the overall dress code and understand the style of shoes you’re wearing, you should do just fine. Derby brogues will be casual, while oxford brogues are great for a number of formal and business-casual outfits depending on the extent of broguing on the shoes

Don’t like broguing on your oxfords? That is cool too.

Plain oxford shoes will be the dressiest and can easily be worn as black-tie, for weddings, meetings, or any formal event you can think of

The post Oxfords or Brogues? Some Great Tips To Help You Make The Right Choice appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Moccasins are slip-on shoes that have a thin upturned sole with no distinct heel.

These shoes also have a separate piece of leather that is attached on the top and extends to the toes – which is called a moc-toe

The thin upturned soles along with the moc-toe make it a casual shoe, and so one might wonder if it is acceptable to wear socks with moccasins

Wearing socks with moccasins is completely okay if you want to. Socks will keep your feet warm when the days get colder, and the level of comfort with/without socks will vary from person to person. However, if you are wearing shorts with moccasins then full-length crew socks should be avoided

The topic of socks with moccasins mainly has two sides to it.

Firstly, there’s the question of whether you should actually wear socks or not. These will mainly depend on the weather outside, and also your choice (yes!)

Next, if you do decide to wear socks – you’ve to choose what type of socks you should wear

Both these concerns are pretty straightforward, so let’s get into it straight away

You Should Wear Socks With Moccasins If

#1: It’s Cold Outside

The weather is pretty much the most obvious reason you would want to wear socks with mocs, or with any kind of shoes really

Socks can not only help with smelly feet, but also keep your feet warm

A nice pair of thick cotton or wool socks will be just perfect for when the temperatures drop.

There is an argument on if you should even wear moccasins in the winter as they are basically summer shoes. That makes some sense, and although I wouldn’t recommend wearing moccasins out while it’s snowing, winters are not the same everywhere.

And there are many cold months in the year apart from the winters

Besides, a lot of people also use moccasins as home-shoes (try it if you haven’t, it’s a great option!), so socks are a great way to feel all cozy and nice when it’s cold outside

On the flip side, on the warmer days you can skip the socks and let your feet breathe. Spring and Summer months are the perfect weather for wearing your moccasins without the socks.

One less thing to take off before jumping into the pool, imo

#2: You Want To

This one’s obvious, but it so important that we need to talk about it.

And I’m glad that it came up – I can have a mini-rant while also hoping that I am giving you some useful info

If you really want to wear socks with moccasins, then go ahead and wear them!

Style is subjective, and style ‘rules’ merely provide you with a framework of things and ideas that are known to suit or look best.

Should you listen and understand those rules? Yes. Because you should know what you’re working with.
Do you need to always follow them? Maybe not

Real Men Real Style has a concept called The Style Pyramid, and it consists of three things – Fit, Function, and Fabric. Basically, these three factors play a big role in the overall style of an Individual

Do you see the second point there? It’s Function.

Looking stylish and trendy is of no use if it’s not actually helping you or serving a function

I have worn a pair of dress pants with moccasins (which is a big no-no) AND socks for months on my commute to work. Why? Because those were the only waterproof shoes I had, and it was the rainy season here in Mumbai.

Looking back, I could’ve made better choices about it – but with the resources I had at that time it was perfectly fine

Oh, and I do wear socks with moccasins, and with every other shoe, even now. Socks always help me feel comfortable in shoes, so that’s what I choose (hey look, rhyme!)

This, however, shouldn’t be an excuse for you to not try anything new. You never know, you might just start enjoying wearing your mocs, without socks

Read everything – try something – and repeat what makes you feel the best

What Type Of Socks Can You Wear With Moccasins

So, you’ve decided that you want to wear socks. What now – which socks should you wear – no-show, ankle-length or crew length

To figure that out, check the pants that you are going to wear with your moccasins.

For shorts and moccasins, it is best to stick with no-show or loafer socks. If you’re not comfortable with no-show socks, give ankle socks a try. They don’t look as good as no-show ones, but can still work with a pair of shorts

When wearing moccasins with other long pants such as jeans or chinos, both no-show and crew socks can be great depending on what you like.

If it is cold though, no-show socks are not going to keep you warm so you’re better off wearing crew length socks (or even over-the-calf socks)

So, What Did You Decide?

Are you team socks or team no-socks?

I’m on the socky (is that a word?) side most of the days, and then no-socks on some

Let me know about your sock-with-moccasin experiences in the comments

The post Can You Wear Socks With Moccasins? appeared first on The Shoestopper.

When I was in college, the choice of pants was a no-brainer for us. Monday through Saturday – or even Sundays at times – it used to be jeans, jeans, and jeans.. Maybe formal pants for presentations, but that was the extent of our trouser styles

Once I discovered chinos, all of that changed.

These days, chinos form a major part of my closet – I have them in so many pairs in different colours! They are the perfect middle ground between dress pants and jeans which makes it very easy to dress up or dress down

For that same reason though, it can be difficult to decide what shoes to wear with chinos

Almost all shoes go well with these pants, so the shoes that you wear with chinos actually depend on other factors like the weather and occasion. Chinos will never be as dressy as a pair of dress pants, but you can wear formal shoes with chinos and combine it with a blazer for a cocktail-party outfit. For those casual lunches with friends, some nice-looking sneakers or boat shoes are great options for pairing with chinos.

Boots work well with chinos too, and can be worn together once the weather starts getting colder

Chinos And Khakis – Are they the same?

The confusion between chinos and khakis is very common, and manufacturers at times add to it by calling any cotton pant as either of these.

Although Chinos and Khakis are both made of cotton, Khakis are thicker and straight legged while Chinos are lightweight and generally tapered.

You may or may not find pleats in Khakis, but Chinos are flat-fronted as a rule.

Such distinctions make a pair of Chinos more dressier than Khakis. These days, both terms are used interchangeably. There are also ‘khaki chinos’ in the market today, which are basically khaki (dust) coloured chinos, or khakis that have been tapered.

I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You can wear all the shoes that we’ll discuss with both chinos and khakis

Top Tips To Help You Decide What Shoes To Wear With Chinos

While pairing shoes with chinos, there are a couple of factors that you should keep in mind. These will help you make a better choice

Based On Occasion

Chinos are a pretty versatile pair of pants – you can wear them for a wide variety of events. Whether it is a simple polo shirt with a pair of sneakers or dressed up with oxfords and a tucked-in button-up shirt, chinos will always look nice

Formal / Semi-Formal Events

When wearing chinos for more formal or semi-formal occasions, it would be best to go for smart and dressy shoes. Oxfords and brogues are perfect choices. Pair these with a crisp white shirt and a nice blazer, and you’re all set for that party or reception. Loafers and monk straps will work just as well.

A great way to add some interest to your outfit while wearing chinos in such events is to have chinos and blazer in different shades.

This helps because it doesn’t look like a suit, and gives you more freedom with your shoe choices.

Casual Events

Chinos offer a relaxed and smart vibe that makes them look on-point even with the most casual of outfits.

The next time you’re heading out of the house, swap those jeans for a pair of chinos and see how your casual instantly transforms smart-casual Add some nice sneakers and a basic t-shirt to the mix, and it’s one of those classic looks that can never go wrong

For casual occasions, it is best to stick to the casual shoe styles – boat shoes and suede loafers are some great options along with white sneakers.

You can also wear put on a denim jacket and then wear boots – the combination shouts uber-cool. Denim jackets can sometimes be weird with a pair of jeans, but chinos provide the perfect opportunity to look sharp and stylish

Based On Weather

Chinos, being lightweight, can often be considered as summer pants.

But the terminologies of khakis and chinos mentioned earlier means that these pants are also available in a heavier fabric. These heavier weight chinos can then be appropriate for the winter, and with the weather your shoe choices will change too.

Here’s how you can pick the right shoes for chinos in the various seasons

Spring / Summer

The Spring and summer months are very easy to style chinos. As the temperatures soar you’re looking for outfits that are airy and breathable, and chinos fit right in

Pick up a pair of loafers and wear them with a half-sleeved shirt up top. Oh and go with no show socks to show off those ankles for a complete summer vibe

Fabric sneakers, Boat shoes, and Chukka Boots are some more wonderful options to wear in the warmer months. For more dressed up events, replace the casual shoes with brogues and accordingly change what you’re wearing above the waist

Monsoon

Choosing the right pair of shoes for the monsoon has always been tricky.

You don’t need any special type of chinos for rains, the summer ones will work. But consider buying some weather-resistant boots or shoes if you’re going to be spending time outside while it’s raining

Another idea would be to waterproof your shoes – some good brands are available in the market – but the waterproofing that these sprays provide might not last very long in heavy rain.

Fall / Winter

If you live in a place that goes through proper winters (unlike us here in Bombay – what really is a winter?) it’s a good idea to have some heavier weight chinos ready to keep you warm

Fall / Winters are also the perfect time to get those boots out. Pick appropriate outerwear to wear this amazing combination – denim jacket or wool blazer for fall, adding an additional overcoat as the months get colder

Be it leather or suede, Chukkas, Chelseas or Dress Boots – any of the smart boot styles will look great with chinos

Top Shoes You Can Wear With Chinos

You have a wide variety of options when choosing shoes for chinos. More options also means more confusion though, and an incorrect pairing can often go wrong.

It is always good to have some basic guidelines, and the below list will help

#1: Sneakers With Chinos

Sneakers are inherently casual, which means that a chinos-sneakers pair will also be a casual combination.

Keep that in mind when opting for sneakers, and feel free to go bold with colours. Just make sure that either of the two balances it out

In Sneakers, the colour white ismy favourite to wear with chinos. They are better than other coloured ones because they can also be dressed up or down depending on the other clothing pieces that you choose.

White sneakers also are very easy to match with any pair of chinos; you don’t have give it a lot of thought and you know for sure that it will always look good

Note: I’ve read questions online asking if converse sneakers can be worn with shoes. Since these are sneakers only, it is possible to wear them. But I think that high-top Converse shoes look better with chinos as compared to the low tops

#2: Boat Shoes With Chinos

We can’t think of casual and not talk about boat shoes. Another great option to wear with chinos, if you want to stand out then go for boat shoes.

These shoes will work with all the pieces that you’d wear with sneakers – be it a polo shirt layered with a bomber jacket, or a casual button down shirt accessorized with sunglasses and a nice watch.

Since boat shoes are traditionally made of leather they look a tiny bit sharper than sneakers. Yes, there are fabric options too but they are not used as much

Bonus points if you cuff up the chinos to show off those ankles

When it comes to colours, bold is fun here too. But darker or neutral colours will be more versatile and easier to match with a lit more chinos

#3: Loafers With Chinos

Amongst the entire list of shoes mentioned here, loafers are the only shoes that you can wear anytime with chinos and look polished (might I say dapper too)

For casual situations, suede loafers with no-show socks and shirt are perfect for a summer day. And if heading out at night, wear the same pair of loafers with some bold socks and a jacket (or tuck that shirt in). Party ready within minutes, yo

Basically the rule of thumb with socks is this – no-show socks for casual and socks for semi-formal events. Stick to this rule and you will always make the right choices

#4: Monk Straps With Chinos

If you would ask me to pick one shoe for all semi-formal events in my life I’d go for straps

This is because the overall aesthetic of monk strap shoes is so smart, that they just look great with chinos and a shirt: neither too dressy, nor too casual.

And the usage of monk straps with chinos is not limited to just shirts – you can wear polos, sweaters, and in some cases (full sleeved) henly shirts too. The only type of upper wear that should be avoided are t-shirts

#5: Oxfords / Derbys With Chinos

Where monk straps are useful to dress up chinos, oxfords or derbys take it one notch higher

Lace-up shoes like oxfords or derbys are the most formal you can get with a pair of chinos. Of course, the shoe features can be accordingly used for different looks

For example: medium to light brown wingtips will work very well for smart-casual occasions, whereas dark oxfords or derbys (preferably with minimal brogueing) are a good choice to wear for a semi-formal event

While wearing laced shoes with chinos: keep in mind that suede is more casual than leather, and oxfords in dark colours are dressier than derbys

#6: Boots With Chinos

I used to think that boots are meant only for the winter, but they can be worn all through the year.

The trick is to choose the right kind of boots depending on the weather. Chukkas and Chelsea Boots will pair really well with chinos in the summer. Both of these boot styles are minimal and they work for casual as well as semi-formal occasions.

On the other hand, dress boots can be worn with the more sturdier chinos in the winter. If you wanted to dress up your chinos in the winter, such boots would be your best bet

Shoes You Should Avoid Wearing With Chinos

Remember when I said almost all shoes go with chinos?
Yeah, we’ve now reached the “almost” part

The below shoe styles are not a great match for chinos. They are acceptable, sure, but that’s about it. You’d be better off choosing either of the shoes that were listed above

#1: Sandals

Sandals shouldn’t really be worn with any kind of pants

Okay, you can wear them if you’re headed to the beach or the pool – and even to those places, a pair of shorts (instead of chinos?!) is a better option anyway

Trust me and skip those sandals. Chinos give off a smart relaxed vibe, wearing sandals with chinos makes it sloppy

#2: Sports Shoes

Sports shoes.

Running Shoes.

Trainers.

For the purpose of this point, they’re all the same. And none of them should be worn with chinos.

That’s because chinos are casual pants and not sporty pants, so wearing athletic shoes with them will look off. For all your sporty needs, go for joggers instead. They are right at home with such shoes

There are some sneakers that look like trainers. These should be okay to wear with chinos, as long as they are in neutral / dark shades

Chinos, Shoes And Socks

Socks are an awesome way to take those chino-shoe combinations to the next level

While no-show socks are great with for the summer months, it depends on what you’re comfortable with

Some chinos ride up to show a good part of the leg when seated, like a pair of dress pants would. With such chinos, I avoid wearing no-show socks simply because I don’t like it.

When it comes to general sock rules, they’re pretty much the same as with any other pants or shoes. You can go bold with colours or patterns, or stay classic with neutral and plain socks – whatever suits you!

I have an article on pairing socks with formal shoes. Check it out if you need some ideas.

New Favourite Pants?

With the number of shoe pairing possibilities with chinos, they might just topple the denim throne and become your new favourite pants (or are they already?)

If you haven’t given chinos a try yet, you should. I promise, you will not be disappointed

Or if you’re already a chino yoda, awesome! Bow down to you, I do

If there’s something I missed, or if you have any questions – let me know!

The post What Shoes To Wear With Chinos (And What Not To) appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Jeans – everyone’s favourite pair of pants. I’m sure if people could wear jeans every time they go out, they would. Once you’ve found the right one for you, it’s comfort-max

And even though you really enjoy wearing cool sneakers with denim, there might be times when you want to dress up your jeans by wear a pair of formal shoes with it.

Now, hold on – I see that reaction coming… Yes, I know mixing two pieces of clothing that so different from each other in terms of formality can be tricky. But then, that’s what I’m here for, right?

Yes, Formal shoes do go with jeans – if worn the right way. And the right ways are what this post is all about

When wanting to wear formal shoes with jeans, there are few things that are to be kept in mind. These are mainly related to the fit and colour of your jeans, the right kind of shoes, and whatever you choose to wear above the waist. The key to dressing well when pairing jeans and dress shoes is to keep a balance – to not let it get too formal or casual.

Before we get to the actual looks, there are a few tips that will help you along the way:

Tips To Wear Formal Shoes With Jeans

#1: No Oxfords Please

(Note: Wondering what are oxford shoes? Check out my complete guide to formal shoes for men.
It explains all the things you need to know about men’s dress shoes)

So, you’ve thought of classing up those jeans with dress shoes – well done, that’s a great idea! Wearing Oxfords with jeans though is taking it a bit too far

Oxford shoes are at the top of the formality scale so mixing them up with denim can feel out of place. There are suggestions online that state that it is okay to actually wear these two together, but I’d rather you not do it.

The only scenario I see it working is if your oxfords are full brogues / wingtips, but even that will be a bold step on your part.

We have a lot of other shoe options that are great with jeans. Keep those beautiful oxfords for dress pants.

#2: Avoid Light Wash, Faded and Tattered Jeans

Yes, all of them.

With sneakers, light wash, faded or tattered denims work cause they’re uber casual. But dress shoes are not.

To ensure that everything looks well put together, tuck those denims away and opt for a darker wash.

The shades are not a problem as long as they’re still dark. Such dark wash jeans are dressier than the other ones so they are great options to pair dress shoes with

Jeans by themselves are such a casual piece of clothing that the only way you can make them formal enough is by choosing the right wash

Whenever we are mixing two distinctly formal or casual pieces, the key to good matching is to get both of them as close as possible on the formality scale. This means that the formal pieces should be as casual (or semi-formal) as possible, and the casual pieces should be as dressy as possible.

#3: Tapered Jean Cuts Look Better With Dress Shoes

Dress shoes generally have a sleek looking profile which is why they look best with dress pants, which are slim and have a smooth fall

So, to wear jeans with dress shoes – the trick is to have the jeans be slim or tapered. The exact cut of the jeans depends on your preference and comfort, as long as it is not baggy

Baggy jeans will spoil the dressed-up casual look that we’re going for, cause now there’s a visual disconnect between the bulk of the jeans and the sleekness of the shoes.

Actually, baggy jeans aren’t flattering anyway so you’re better off avoiding them altogether

#4: Keep The Balance With Thoughtful Shirt Choices

Just deciding to wear formal shoes with jeans is not enough, we need to make the right choices above-the-waist as well

Because of the formality of dress shoes overtly casual tops will not work here – so forget about t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Still want to wear a t-shirt but thinking of layering it with a shirt (or shirt-jacket)? Now we’re talking.
Button-down shirts will look great even by themselves. Add a blazer / jacket to the mix, and now you’ve got yourself some really cool outfits

Remember to #KeepTheBalance, and you’ll be fine

#5: Matching Jean And Shoe Colour Might Not Be the Best Look

I’ve given this some thought, and it is true.

Somehow the jeans and formal shoes combination is better when there’s a contrast between them. So matching jean and shoe colour should be avoided.

Think of black jeans with black dress shoes. Usually I like monochrome, but the overall tone of your outfit with jeans and dress shoes is smart-casual – so the same colour might not add to that

What shoes should you wear with black jeans then? After all, you can’t pair them with brown shoes.

That’s a difficult one. It’s for this very same reason than I’d suggest not going for black jeans when you want to wear formal shoes. Other colours have contrasting shoe options but black doesn’t, unless you have a pair of shoes in a very different colour like navy blue or a dark green suede. Colours like these will look good with black jeans

#6: Go for Half or No Break Jeans

We need to make sure that your shoes are the focal point around your feet, right?

Longer jeans will not hide shoes, but the extra fabric will bunch up so much around your ankles that it will grab all the attention that your shoes deserve.

Getting your jeans altered to make them half-break / no-break will work wonders, trust me. Yes you can cuff up your jeans when required, but the longer they are the more folds you’ll need – ultimately leading to thick cuffs which again, draw the attention away

Top Formal Shoes To Wear With Jeans

Wingtip Derbys With Jeans

I strongly believe wingtips and jeans are made for each other – they’re such a beautiful pairing.

The smartness of dark-wash denim with the brogueing is just too much to handle!

As long as there is some contrast, go crazy with the colours here. Everything is a go! Suede works just as well as leather

Make sure you’re still wearing socks though. Then cuff up those jeans to show em off!

Loafers With Jeans

Loafers are the smartest shoes to wear with jeans if you want to rock the sockless look. They’re perfect for the summer when paired with lightweight jeans, making sure you’re comfortable AND cool

You can wear loafers with socks as well and they will look just as good.

And since we are pairing them with jeans – you can also experiment with bold colours rather than sticking to the usual ones

(To get some more tips about socks, check out my guide on how to wear socks with formal shoes )

Turn up for that brunch / beer with friends wearing dark wash denim and bright suede loafers, and you’re bound to get extra style points by everyone B-)

Plain Derbys With Jeans

While Wingtips are perfectly fine with jeans, if you want to dress up further you can wear plain derbys

These shoes are super versatile because they pair well with dress pants as well as jeans. If your office allows jeans, then these might just become your go-to combination.

Wear an unlined blazer or trucker jacket with it and you’re pretty much set.

Monk Straps With Jeans

Monk straps are just as classy as plain derbys and can be worn in all the same situations

Because of the visual interest that the straps already provide, it would be better to keep the brogueing minimal here.

Black monk strap shoes will be amazing with dark blue / indigo jeans. With dark brown shoes, you have a little more options. And the colour tan is not as formal so with tan monkstraps you can even go with light wash denims. I feel darker washes will always look better though

Chelsea Boots With Jeans

I have a colleague at work who regularly wears jeans with cognac Chelseas, and I can’t stop myself admiring this combination every single time!

Chelsea boots are a great way to add some oomph to your outfits.

Granted, they don’t look good on everyone – but if you’re one of those lucky ones who can pull it off, then you’ve got to wear them the next time you wear jeans. What are you waiting for? Christmas?

When it comes to colour black chelsea boots are hands-down fabulous, but I’d say that the medium-brown and cognac shades will give you more uses than black boots. Pair them with any dark or medium wash blue jeans and be assured that you look great

Chukka Boots With Jeans

Chukka Boots and jeans work really well together – they give off a polished yet kinda rugged look

These boots were originally made of suede with a crepe sole. They came in sand / tan colour, which is why Chukka boots are sometimes also referred to as dessert boots

The dessert boot aesthetic is pretty casual because of its colour and choice and material, which makes it right at home with a pair of jeans. But today you will also find Chukkas in leather and a variety of colours – ranging from dress shoe classics such as blacks and dark browns to even navy and olive

For events that require smart casual – go for leather chukkas in dark colours as they are more formal than the suede dessert boots. For every other casual occasion, feel free to wear whichever type of chukka boot you like (and own, obvs :P)

Jeans On!

There is nothing like a pair of good jeans, and blue ones happen to be my (or everybody’s?) favourite kind

No matter what colour of jeans you like, if you want to wear them with formal shoes then the same rules apply. Feel free to go back to the headings by clicking the points below

• No Oxfords
• No Light Wash or Tattered Jeans
• No Baggy Jeans
• Thoughtful Shirt Choices
• Colour Contrast between Shoes And Jeans
• Half/No Break Jeans Look Better

While we’re still on the topic of jeans, here’s a cool song about it I just discovered. Have a listen before you go

What shoes do you wear with denim the most? Let me know

The post 6 Stylish Ways To Wear Formal Shoes With Jeans appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Today we are talking about the humble kurta and pajama. These don’t get the attention that they deserve, and frankly, they deserve a lot.

I really wasn’t into such attire earlier, but for the past year or so (thank you family weddings!) have come to like it. This happened only after realizing the subtleties of fit and style in Indian clothing that work best for me.

These days, Indo-Western styles are all the rage, giving tough competition even to classic suits. It only speaks to the power of Indian clothing, and the fact that if thoughtfully executed, a traditional outfit can look great.

And of course, just like any other style of clothing, Indian traditional clothes also aren’t complete without shoes. The right pair of shoes will add such a wow-factor to that kurta-pajama pairing that will leave you wondering why you never wore them before

As there are quite some differences between Indian and Western culture, the shoes are different too. So the right shoes to wear with kurta pajama will primarily include Indian footwear like mojris, juttis/nagras, and chappals (slippers). The western formal shoes will work only in the correct setting, with the correct kind of (slim) pajamas and some layering piece over the kurta like a jacket or bandhgala

Before we talk about shoes though, let’s discuss the kurta and pajama themselves. In my opinion, the different variations of kurtas aren’t a huge deciding factor for the shoes you choose to wear. The only exception here is if you’re wearing a jodhpuri suit, in which case you should almost always go for loafers or other formal shoes.

The pajamas, however, are of different kinds – and their shape and cut will decide the shoes you can wear with them. So, it is important to know about these types first.

Various Styles of Traditional Pajamas:

Disclaimer: If you google some of these, you *will* find pictures of women wearing them. But don’t you worry, I promise men can wear them too

In fact, I have most of these in my closet. The trick is to have them in muted or neutral shades so that they work with whatever you’re wearing up top.

Straight-cut Pajamas

Nothing fancy here – just a looser and lighter version of straight cut trousers that we are all too familiar with

You can decide the fit of these pajamas according to your comfort, but I’d suggest you not to go too much on the slim side. That way it will work with your regular kurta, but also be appropriate for those times when you’d like to mix it up and Indo-Westernize your outfit.

These straight-cut pajamas, like most others that we’ll discuss below, have a drawstring around the waist for fastening. Called a Nada, the idea behind it is to have the waist of the pajamas much larger than your actual waist size – so that you can then use the drawstring to fasten them around the waist as tight or loose as you like.

Certain or dressy variations of the straight cut pajama also come with pockets, and pant buckles instead of the drawstring waist.

Salwar

Consider salwar to be a roomier version of the straight cut pajamas.

Salwar, or Shalwar (so tricky to write this in English ;D) is baggy and loose from top to bottom, bunching slightly at the ankles. Because of all the extra room at the thighs, it is very comfortable

Women in India usually wear the salwar with a kameez, which is a long tunic with the sides left open below the waist for comfort.

For men salwar pairs very well with pathani suits, which is also like a long loosely fitted kurta

Peshawari Salwar

The Peshawar Salwar is a type of salwar that originated in Peshawar, Pakistan

Like the regular salwar, Patiala is also roomy – but it looks flared at the thighs and narrows at the bottom.

The waist has a drawstring and pleats of cloth are carefully stitched together to meet at the bottom, thus giving the Patiala its distinctive flared look.

Because of the way it’s stitched, these salwars require more material than the regular salwars – but the end product looks great.

You wouldn’t find men commonly using Peshawaris as daily wear. Instead they are reserved for special family occasions and weddings

Churidar

Churidar are peculiar type of close-fitting pajamas.

They start off at the waist like any another pajama, with some extra inches around and a drawstring to fasten them. From the knee to the ankle, however, churidar pajamas narrow very quickly, hugging the skin close to reveal the curves of the leg

Because of the fit, the churidar pajamas need to have a little bit of stretch to them for comfort.

The length of these pajamas is also kept longer than the leg so that when worn the excess material folds and bunches up at the ankles. When it comes to dress pants or even casual pants, bunching of fabric is not a good look – but in churidars these actually add to the overall appeal of the pajamas

In fact, they are also named after this very characteristic. The bunched fabric looks like (dar) a number of bracelets or bangles (churi). Bangle-like. Churi-dar. Cool right?

When it comes to pajamas, I think these might be the most commonly worn by men for their traditional outfits. And for good reason: churidars are slim-fitting, look great with any kurta, and also amazing with most of the shoes in the list below

If you can get into them – that is *hops around trying to fit his leg into the churidar*

Jodhpuri Pants

Jodhpuri Pants are not technically pajamas, but I still mentioned them here because they do work with dressy traditional outfits. So for the sake of this post, let’s consider them in the broader category of pajamas, shall we?

These have a flared look at the hip, with a churidar-like close fit below the knees. Jodhpurs were adapted for horse-riding and so the excess material (causing the flared look) around the hips and thighs allowed easy movement while riding

These days, jodhpuri suits are a style in itself. They consist of jodhpuri pants along with suit like jackets without the lapel collars (called bandhgalas).
These are best worn with dressier shoes like formal loafers or other laced formal shoes

7 Types Of Shoes To Wear With Kurta Pajama

We’ll now go over 7 shoe styles that you can wear with Indian traditional kurta – pajama, going from Indian to Western

#1: Mojri

Think of Mojri and the image of a man doing the Punjabi dance Bhangra pops up. These shoes are inherently Punjabi, and an old school Indian classic.

Mojri is the shoe of choice for most Indian grooms on their wedding day. These shoes are said to have originated from the Mughals and worn by the royalty – who preferred to wear fancy looking shoes with bright gems and colours.

The distinctive characteristic of the mojri is the extended curled toe with the M shaped front. In my research, I found that traditionally mojris are open from the back. But most of the mojri shoes I’ve seen in the market these days are closed from the back – so I think it must be a design change that happened over time.

Indian wedding attire is all about royal looking clothing, and the Mojri with its bright patterns and embroidery lives up to this vibe. Be it neutral light shades or bold colours and patterns, if you’re looking for a particular type of mojri to match with your wedding sherwani – you’ll find it.

Mojris look the best with churidar pajamas which are slim and narrow. These shoes are meant to be worn without the socks and will generally be breathable and comfortable. If you just do not want to be sockless, go for no-show or loafer socks. Such socks are meant to be for loafers and since mojris have a somewhat similar aesthetic they will meet your needs.

But sometimes, even no-show socks will show with mojris if the design has open sides. Be mindful of that while buying your mojris.

Pajama Choices: Perfect for churidars and peshawaris

#2: Jutti / Nagras

After Mojri, let’s talk about its close relative – the Jutti / Nagra

Where Mojri shoes have the curled-up toes, Juttis have round toes with a closed back.

Juttis (or Nagras) were originally worn by women in North India, but over time the lines have blurred and now there are styles that are worn by men as well.

The looks have undergone a change too. I increasingly see juttis being made to appear modern – with its smooth leather, loafer-like shape, and limited embroidery if any

Both Juttis and Mojris will have flat soles or a very thin heel.
If you’re looking at something with a very distinct heel, then those might be an ethnic variation of loafers

Pajama Choices: These are another alternative to wear with churidar pajamas. If the toe shape of the Mojris bothers you (like it bothers me), these are for you.
They can also be worn with salwar and peshawaris, and in some cases (the modern juttis) with straight-cut pajamas too

#3: Kolhapuri Chappals

Slippers are called Chappals in Hindi. And Kolhapuri Chappals are smart T-strap slippers that are made out of leather and tanned with vegetable dyes

Although I’d never advise you to wear slippers outside the house, these ones are different. Kolhapuri Chappals, or Kolhapuris as they are commonly called, are meant-to-be with Indian ethnic wear and look great with a kurta pajama.

The name might make you think that only the chappals made in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra might be genuine Kolhapuris, but that is not true. Instead, there are a handful of districts in both Maharashtra and Karnataka that can call their chappals to be Kolhapuris.

Since Kolhapuri chappals are made out of leather, do not wear them out in the rains.

Pajama Choices: These chappals are versatile enough for all kinds of kurtas and pajamas – be it the dhoti, salwar, peshawari, churidar, jodhpurs, or the normal straight-legged pajamas.

Even traditional jackets like nehru jackets will look good with kolhapuri chappals. Don’t wear Kolhapuri chappals with Jodhpuri pants, though

#4: Ethnic Sandals

While your regular sandals might go with some traditional wear, ethnic sandals are a better choice

These are generally made out of leather and will be close toed (unlike chappals) with/without straps to fasten them

A lot of interesting and different styles have been coming up in this category – some are even loafer and jutti-esque

If all the shoes discussed above don’t pique your interest, then these might. If not, there’s always more shoes ahead

Pajama Choices: Just like Kolhapuris, you can wear them with all kinds of pajamas (except Jodhpurs)

#5: Loafers

Adding non-Indian shoes to the mix means that you are fusing two different styles, so there are some technicalities that come into picture

Loafers will look good with Indian traditional clothes, but only with the right kind of pajama.

The cut of your pajamas has to be slim and close, just like a straight cut dress pant would be. Only then would it be appropriate to be worn with these shoes. Examples would be the regular straight pyjamas, or even the peshawari pants

Pajama Choices: Churidars, straight-cut pajamas, and jodhpurs.
With churidars, go for ethnic loafers like the ones shown above. As compared to western loafers, these will look more at home with churidars

#6: Monk Strap Loafers

If you think loafers with a kurta and pajama is fancy, this will be fancier

Yes, shoe makers have done the feat of combining the straps from monk shoes with a loafer – enter the monk strap loafer

Consider this when you want to stand out from the crowd. These kind of shoes aren’t mainstream yet, so you have to opportunity to add some great visual interest to your traditional Indian outfit

Pajama Choices: Great way to add a hint of interest to those jodhpuri pants. Monk Strap loafers will look phenomenal paired with a plain kurta and a straight-cut pajama

#7: Formal Shoes

When it comes to formal shoes, the same rules as loafers apply i.e the cut of the pajama should be straight and close to the leg

However, I think formal shoes are only appropriate to be worn with a kurta if there is some kind of jacket involved. A Bandhgala and a Nehru Jacket are both nice options

This is because dress shoes have a very western formal look so it will look out of place if there isn’t any semblance of the same formality theme in your outfit

Note: If you’d like to know more about formal shoes in general, I have written a detailed guide on it. You can find it here

Pajama Choices: Jodhpuri pants and well fitted straight-cut pajamas. Nothing more, nothing less B-)

Shoes To Wear With Kurta And Jeans

Tell me.. you’ve surely thought of throwing over a simple kurta over a pair of jeans before, haven’t you? *smirks*

Because jeans and kurta are such a common combination, I thought it would be good to mention them in this article. Basically, all the shoes that you can wear with jeans in general, can be worn with the kurta on top.

Some of these include

• Monkstraps
• Loafers
• Wingtip Derbys

I’d stay away from casual shoes like sneakers or boat shoes if wearing a kurta

Also, if it’s an occasion where you would have to take off your shoes, then laced dress shoes will be a hassle. In that regard, ethnic loafers, ethnic sandals, and even kolhapuri chappals would be great shoes to wear with a kurta and jeans

Pajama Pyjama

^ Which spelling do you use? I was confused throughout, then picked one (OK Google) and just went with it (Also, me needs those organic traffic, after all )

Anyway, you’ve just read about seven different shoe options that can be worn with a kurta pajama – there’s got to be one or more that you end up wearing the most.

Drop a comment and let me know your favourites. Or if there is another style of awesome shoes that I missed here, you can share that too. I’ll be looking forward to hear from you

The post The Perfect Shoes To Wear With Kurta Pajama appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Formality is all about sobriety, conformity, and respect – which is why it is most expected in situations that demand those very traits – such as business meetings, high-end parties, weddings, and funerals.

Although jeans, chinos, shorts and other casual wear are great to have, a few pairs of formal/dress pants will class-up any wardrobe. Even if you don’t live in formal clothing the whole year, there’ll usually be at least a few occasions when you have to wear dress pants. And with that, come a few other decisions – one of them being what shoes to wear.

For all such times, I’ve got you covered; no read to recollect everything from scratch when deciding the shoes that go with formal trousers.

The best shoes to wear with formal pants are almost always formal shoes. Think Oxfords and Derbys, and then some more. Yes, there are some other dress shoe options too, and boots can also look good with the right type of dress trousers. Dressing down dress pants with sneakers is another look that’s trending these days, but I have some opposing thoughts on the issue and think that they shouldn’t be worn together. Read on to learn more..

There are a few concepts about pants in general that we’ll get out of our way before doing the shoe-talk. Think of it as a bonus, like icing on the cake

What Are Formal/Dress Pants

The terms ‘formal’ and ‘dress’ are used interchangeably when we talk about style and clothing.

So formal shoes are dress shoes, and dress pants are basically formal pants – but what actually constitutes a pair of trousers to be ‘dress pants’? This is a question that has troubled me for years, and I’ve only begun to understand the differences to form an answer

Put simply, dress pants are a pair of trousers that are

• not jeans (that one’s obvious lol)
• smooth to the touch (so not chinos)
• made out of wool, or a blended fabric like polyster (not 100% cotton)
• generally ironed with a front / center crease

There you go! Hopefully that clears it up. Let’s continue further

A Short Note About Pant Breaks

Another concept that is necessary to talk about, especially since we’re discussing shoes – is the break of your pants. There are 3 types – full break, half break (or medium break) and no break

The break of your pants will decide how they look around the ankles, and also how much of your shoes are seen while standing or walking.

No-break will have a straight fall, and expose almost all of your shoes (and a little bit of socks, too) while other types of breaks will have your pants bunch just a little. The break that you choose depends on your personal preference and also your body type; certain breaks tend to flatter one body type more over the other.

He Spoke Style has a great article about pant breaks. Check it out here if you’d like to have more info about this

I personally get my pants tailored in the no-break to half-break range, and like it that way

3 Smart Tips On Wearing Shoes With Formal Pants

These guidelines will help you make better decisions as you choose the shoes you want to wear with those formal trousers

#1: Heavier The Pant Fabric, Chunkier The Shoe

All dress pants are smooth to the touch, but there are a variety of different weights they come in

Heavier wools and tweed are used in the winter while the lighter fabrics are better suited for the warmer parts of the year. The shoes that you’re wearing with lightweight pants should not be too heavy or bulky. Dress shoes with a trim outsole will serve the best for this purpose

On the other hand, with heavier pants you can get away with chunkier shoes like boots, because the heft of such shoes will match that of the pant fabric

#2: Match The Colour Of Shoes And Pants To Make Things Interesting

Okay, this might sound obvious to you when you first read it, but think again. Apart from black shoes with black/gray pants, when else have you matched the colour of your shoes with the pants?

I’m talking navy dress shoes with dark blue pants, or even oxblood oxfords with deep-red dress pants. Sure, brown pants with brown shoes too. Intrigued now?

Monochrome can be a great look with formals if you are comfortable and confident with it, so try this out the next time you want to have fun with your formal pants. And do tell me how it goes – with a bit of trial and error I’m sure you can pull it off.

Do you think wearing shoes and pants of the same colour will blend things too much though? Yes, it will. We still want to be able to recognize where the trousers end and the shoes begin

But then, that’s why we have the next trick.

#3: Use Socks To Add A Hint Of Contrast

If you’re going with the previous tip but are concerned about looking like a walking block of single colour – this is an awesome way to break things up.

Socks can be a wonderful tool in your style arsenal. They not only add some personality to your outfits but in this case, also help break the outfit (only a little) so that the pant and shoe lines are not blurred

No break pants would be a wonderful combination here. Oh, the possibilities! *-*

Even when you’re not matching pants and shoes, socks can still help you add more contrast (or tone it down, depending on what you need)
I have an in-depth guide on wearing socks with formal shoes, it can help you ace your sock game B-)

7 Best Shoes To Wear With Formal Trousers

Now that we’re armed with all the necessary information to properly wear shoes with dress pants, here are 7 styles that are the perfect choices

Plain toe / Cap toe Oxfords

These are number three on our formality scale, which is why I’ve mentioned Oxfords here

If you don’t own a single pair of formal shoes, these are the first pair of shoes I’d suggest you buy. They are at home with formal pants (meant-to-be ;)) and will be more than enough for your suit needs as well

Regarding the colour, a darker shade like black, brown, or oxblood will be better than tan. This is because those dark colours will go with the most number of dress pants in your wardrobe, and tan or light shades of brown are not as versatile.

That is not to say that you can’t wear tan oxfords with formal pants; you totally can – but your choices of matching pants will be limited

Brogueing is not a limiting factor in this case. Unless you’re wearing these shoes with suits, a quarter or even half brogueing with a medallion should do just fine. For suits, stick to quarter brogueing to keep it minimal.

Plain toe / Cap toe Derbys

Wherever Oxfords go, Derbys do too. Even though ‘technically’ derbys are less formal than oxfords, I consider both of these shoes at par – they just have two separate styles, that’s all

For that very reason, Derbys with a plain toe or cap toe can also be worn with your formal pants just the way you would wear oxfords

You should opt for darker shades here too if it’s the first / second pair you’re buying. Once you’ve got a few go-to classics in your closet, then you can experiment with derbys in light / bright colours. Make sure you have the right colour of pants to wear them with, though

And just like oxfords, quarter or half brogueing is acceptable on derbys that are to be worn with formal pants

Pro tip: Switch up the lacing on the derbys to keep things fresh. These shoes have the unique ability to look great in both bar and cross lacing.
If you’re interested, this article will help you with it

Split toe Derbys

Split toe Derbys are a special mention, because they’re slightly different from plain / cap toe ones but still a classic style.

These derbys have an apron toe, which means that a separate piece of leather sewn on the vamp – similar to the design you’ll see on a pair of loafers. It’s a laced shoe with the open lacing system that is synonymous with the derby style.

Along with this, there’s the distinctive stitch that runs vertically in the front of the shoe – as if the toes were split in the middle – giving it the split-toe name

Maybe it’s the overall design, but I actually like these type of derbys over the other ones. They are a great match for formal trousers

Single / Double Monkstraps

If you’ve read my blog enough, by now you would’ve realsied my love for monkstraps. I don’t think there has been a single time I’ve talked about dress shoes without mentioning this beautiful shoe style

You can wear them with suits, or you can wear them with just the trousers without the jacket.

You can wear them in black, brown, oxblood and (yes!) tan too

And with single, double and even triple straps, you have a lot of options.

I’d keep the brogueing on the down low though. The straps are a great visual element by themselves, these shoes don’t need anything else

Ah, just buy them and wear them. You won’t be disappointed

Penny / Tassel Loafers

For them business casual vibes, loafers be the best choice

These are often a great way to dress down those formal pants, so you can look dapper and oh-so-chill at the same time

If you’re choosing to wear loafers with dress pants though, I’ve got a disclaimer for you: Avoid the sockless look.
Usually, dress pants are built in such a way that they show a large part of your leg when sitting down. And if you’re not wearing socks, showing that much skin looks weird and unprofessional

Also, I’d reserve the lighter colours for a pair of jeans. These are semi-formal by themselves and shouldn’t be dressed down further

Tan Wingtips

Here’s another favourite shoe of mine – tan wingtip derbys

These shoes are the least formal because of the colour, and then there’s the full brogueing too – which makes them a perfect candidate to briefly touch upon those concepts that were mentioned earlier.

You could wear these when wanting to dress down your dress pants – say an office lunch party with your shirt sleeves rolled up, or even drinks in the evening after work

Yes, they will be less formal than all the other shoes we discussed, be aware of that if you do decide to wear them with trousers. But I don’t see anything wrong with it – use your own discretion while making a choice

I personally enjoy wearing my tan wingtips quite often

Boots

Here’s the last shoe style that you can wear with formal pants: Boots

What kind of boots, you ask? All the non work boot styles – Chukkas, Chelseas, and dress boots

The thing about boots is that they’ll work especially well with heavier formal pants like tweed, that are for the winter. This is the reason jeans and boots are such a perfect combination – the heft of the boots matches the weight of the denim perfectly

If you still want to wear a pair of boots with lightweight dress pants, then go for Chelsea boots. Their trim and clean silhouette will look good with those pants

Your Favourite Shoe For Formal Pants

In this post, we have gone through seven different shoe options for you to wear with dress pants. Hopefully one (or more) of them strike your interest.

It is good to experiment with different looks; Oxfords and Derbys are always available as fallback options that will be suitable for most of your formal trouser needs.

Use this guide to see what you like, and let me know down below if you have a favourite

The post The Best Shoes To Wear With Formal Pants appeared first on The Shoestopper.

You choose your friends by their character, and your socks by their colour

Gary Oldman (aka our very own Padfoot)

Sirius Black knew the real deal with socks, y’all!

This one quote offers us a small insight into the glorious world of socks, but in order to truly master wearing socks with shoes – there are some additional details one should know and remember

Lucky for you, I thoroughly enjoy this topic – and if you’re here I’m hoping you do too *smirk*

There are 8 essential rules to properly wear socks with formal shoes:

1. Avoid white socks
2. Black and dark brown don’t match
3. When in doubt, match your socks with your pants
4. Wear ribbed socks
5. Match colourful socks with your shirt
6. Patterns are fun
7. Avoid matching patterns
8. When going sockless, use your discretion

But before we get into that, let’s flip this a little bit – for there’s a common sock-question that’s far too important to be left unanswered:

Is It Okay To Wear Formal Shoes Without Socks?

The short answer – No.

The long answer – Only if you like blisters and smelly feet. Also, NO.

Socks might be a tiny detail in your overall outfit but they still play an important role.

Formal shoes are generally made of leather, which is pretty good at absorbing moisture. Not wearing socks increases the chances of foot sweat being soaked up by the leather, causing those funky smells none of us are fans of. A good pair of socks will act as a barrier between your foot and the shoes, thus helping to avoid smelly shoes

Besides, leather can be hard and rough on your feet – by not wearing socks with formal shoes you’re subjecting yourself to future discomfort because the friction will likely cause callouses and blisters on your feet

So please, let us vow to always wear socks with our prized dress shoes

Common Sock Materials

Almost all the socks today will have a bit of stretch in them which helps them to keep their shape. This means that you’ll find socks with a blend of fabrics

A lot of natural (cotton, wool) and synthetic (polyester) blends are used. Many clothing brands will also have their 100% synthetic socks which are made of performance fabrics. These, in my opinion, should be reserved for athletic uses only.

An all-synthetic pair of socks might not be the best for wearing many hours at a time

You can check the labels to see what you’re buying, but the most commonly used sock fabrics will usually be from the below materials

Cotton

Cotton socks might already be in all of your wardrobes, and for good reason. They are comfy, and cotton as a material is appropriate for both casual and formal socks.

It is lightweight and breathable, but keep in mind that cotton socks will also get soaked easily in cold or wet weather

The thinner ones are usually dress socks, while thicker cotton socks can be used for casual wear.

Unless you have specific needs (based on utility and weather), I’d recommend good cotton socks to be a major part of your sock collection. Look for Egyptian cotton – those will be more expensive but of better quality and softer than regular cotton

Wool

You think of wool and you think of winter – because which other fabric is better at keeping you warm than wool right? Bingo.

But contrary to popular belief, wool will also keep you cool when the sun comes out; it is more breathable that you’d guess.

The thick ones would still be for the colder months, though. If taken proper care of, woolen socks will last you a long long time while also consistently looking pretty good.

Just be careful of that wash though – you wouldn’t want your socks to shrink

Pro tip: Take comfort and feel to the next level by finding socks that are made of cashmere. Royal treatment for your feet, imo B-)

Silk

Silk is the most expensive and luxurious material among all three, which also warrants its careful use.

Most guys won’t have any (or maybe 1-2 pairs of) silk socks in their closet. This is because they aren’t of much use except in the most formal of occasions like black and white-tie events. And even in such events, it is not a big deal if you’re not wearing silk socks. Thin cotton or fine wool socks will work just as well

Even though silk is very comfortable on the skin, it holds up heat like anything should be completely avoided in warm conditions.

Types Of Socks

There are lots of terms used for different types of socks, but categorizing them in terms of their length is the easiest one. You can find more types than the four that are mentioned below, but for most situations, these should be enough

No Show Socks

As the name suggests: no-show socks, don’t show *shrugs*

These will cover only your foot and end just below the ankle i.e around the heel. No show socks can be worn when you want to give off the impression that you are not wearing any socks, aka the “sockless” look

Exposing those mankles is a hit trend, and many men have gone as far as going for wearing this with full suits

Ideal for the summer, no-show socks definitely have a place in your wardrobe, but whether you wear it or not depends on the situation and vibe of the event

Ankle Socks

Ankle Socks are no-show socks that grew up

No, seriously. The name says it all – Ankle socks are roughly an inch longer than no-show socks – so that they cover your ankle as well

With shoes, ankle socks will still show so be mindful of that

I used to think earlier that no show socks and ankle socks are interchangeable, and basically preferred ankle socks because they peeked just a little and were more comfortable. Turns out I was wrong because it is not the same

Buy ankle socks if you like the idea, but reserve them only for sports and athletic use. It’s primarily what they are meant for, after all.

Oh, and you can wear them for outdoor activities such as treks and hikes as well. They will protect your ankles, but also allow them to breathe

Crew Length Socks

These are the socks you and I know very well, for we’ve been wearing them all our lives! Crew length refers to Calf length i.e. these socks reach the middle of your calves

For most of your daily needs (both formal and casual) crew socks will be enough. I even wear crew length socks with boots and haven’t faced any problems with them.

The only times you need to be careful with such socks is if you have a pair that’s old and saggy. Bunched up crew socks that keep falling down exposing your leg, is not a good look. You have more important work to do than to keep pulling them up throughout the day.

There are sock garters in the market that can help with this, but it is always better to not let the situation get there

Over The Calf Socks

Over the Calf socks were traditionally worn with suits. They are long enough to completely cover the calf so that there are no chances of them bunching down, thereby getting rid of the one disadvantage of crew-length socks

Such socks aren’t as popular these days now. Very few brands still continue to make them, so if you want to buy over-the-calf socks it might be a difficult (and expensive) find

8 Tips to Properly Wear Dress Socks With Formal Shoes

#1: White Socks Are A Big No-No

If there is one rule that you must always remember about socks, it’s this.

White socks are ONLY for sports, not to wear with formal shoes.
Heck, they aren’t even appropriate with casual shoes in case you’re wondering

I see so many men wearing white socks to the office, and it is a big pet peeve of mine. These socks will contrast starkly with the rest of your outfit, causing a visual disconnect between your pants and shoes

Let’s repeat this golden mantra of good sock-style: We must never wear white socks with formal shoes

#2: Black And Brown Don’t Match

Another cardinal rule that will always apply, even if we are talking about something other than shoes

Avoid wearing brown (darker shades or even tan) shoes with black socks, and black socks with dark brown shoes

These colours don’t complement each other so it will be better to look for other options if you ever find yourself thinking of pairing them together. You might think black socks, being black, would go with everything – which is normally true but with the one exception of brown

Tan shoes with black socks is a mistake lot of guys make. While it might still not be a big faux pas if you wear tan and black (as compared to dark brown and black), I’d suggest you find some other socks to wear

When confused between shoes and socks, always change the socks because you’re likely to have more sock options in your closet than shoes. The other tips in this article will help you with that

#3: When In Doubt, Match Your Socks With Your Pants

This is for those times when you’re in a hurry, or you’d prefer to stay subtle and traditional in your outfit choices.

Don’t overthink, and just match your socks with your pants. This means black/grey socks with black/grey pants, blue socks with blue pants, brown socks with brown pants. It is always nice to have a couple of solid sock pairs in each of these colours; they’ll be useful in many different situations.

A trick to following this tip while still adding some interest to your outfit – is to wear socks that are one shade darker or lighter than the colour of your pants. You might end up doing this unknowingly anyway, as your pants and socks will rarely be from the same brands and of the same shade. But it is still a good tip to know for those times when you’d like to be intentional

Note that on occasions that demand solidarity or conformity – such as business meetings or funerals – go for pant and sock matching over all the below rules. You will still look good, but will keep up with the respect that such situations deserve.

#4: Wear Ribbed Socks

If you’d like to add additional detail to your dress socks but are not yet comfortable in experimenting with brighter colours – play with texture!

Ribbed socks look very interesting even if they are in neutral colours. They have the ability to appear playful while still being professional, which is really cool in my opinion. How many socks let you do that?!

And this does not mean non-neutral colours are totally off your list. You can still wear ribbed socks in bold shades.

I have two pairs in orange and purple which I wear with my dress pants quite often Since your socks are not going to show THAT much (except while sitting) it really is okay to do that

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A friend from work has even nicknamed me the ‘nice sock guy’ due to my choice of socks

#5: Match Colourful Socks With Your Shirt

I instinctively started doing this with colourful socks, but then read about it and it’s an actual thing (I thought I was the only one!)

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Matching the colour of your socks with your shirt adds a balance to your outfit, so the socks aren’t the only part that’s standing out.

Yes, it might feel matchy-matchy at first, but there are ways you can get around this while still following it. If you want to be a little conservative with this tip, match the colour of your socks with an above-the-waist accessory instead of the entire shirt. A tie, pocket square, watch, or even a bracelet would do.

Or, if your socks have a number of colours, pick out the least bold colour and then wear a shirt in the same / lighter shade. Examples can be a baby pink shirt with the red in socks; light blue shirt with the blues, cream for the yellows, and so on. You’ll still be balancing out the colours, but in a much subtler manner

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#6: Patterns are fun

If you’ve tried textures / solid bold colours and enjoyed them, patterns will take it to the next level.

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Stripes, checks, paisley, sharks, french fries – all of these are patterns, and here’s where things get really (and I mean really) fun.

Yes, there are traditional patterns (stripes, checks, paisley, diamonds, small polka dots) and non-traditional patterns (everything else) but you can play with colours in both.

Traditonal patterns in neutral shades will be more formal than such patterns in other colours, and non-traditional patterns will be the least formal irrespective of the colour or its print. Remember that, the next time you think of wearing those socks with burgers on them

#7: Avoid Matching Patterns

While using the colour of your socks in your shirt / accessories is a good idea, wearing the exact same pattern for both is not. For e.g. if you’re wearing a polka dot shirt, avoid polka dot socks and vice versa

If the patterns are different then it is okay, but one of the patterns should be subtler, or otherwise, there should be no pattern at all. Same patterns for socks and shirts (or even socks and pants) is not a good look – it is too loud and gives off the appearance that you are trying too hard

To be honest, I’ve committed this fashion crime before – but the rest of my outfit had solid colours and the shirt was of a neutral shade, so I got away with it. Just like you, I’ll be more mindful about this in the future

#8: When Wanting To Look Sockless, Use Your Discretion

The sockless look is all about no-show socks, like described in the earlier section

But whether you should go for it or not depends on – a) the occasion, b) the rest of your outfit, and c) your discretion. The last point is especially important because you need to understand if a situation is casual enough to wear no-show socks, or if it requires a certain level of sobriety from you

Over time you’ll get better at this, but for now, show off those ankles only in the most casual of situations. And when wearing them with any kind of pants, ensure that no more than 1 – 1.5 inch of your leg shows while sitting – anything more than that takes away from the look.

Also, as per current “trends” (I don’t like that word), you *can* wear no-show socks with white sneakers and a blazer too; just don’t wear it with a full formal suit. Yes, there are men who do that – but the wide majority of us cannot pull it off

Start Sockin’ Em Up!

These 8 tips should be enough for you to make the best sock choice for wearing with formal shoes. Hopefully, you’ve understood how sock colours can play an important role in showing off your unique and personal style.

The basic colours should be the first socks you buy as they will look good with all your outfits. Once you have those set, then go bold, go wild and have some fun.

Socks are one of the best ways to inject some personality into your outfits – and the fuller your sock drawer is, the more options you’ll have.

Go ahead, and sock ’em!

The post 8 Stylish Ways To Wear Socks With Formal Shoes appeared first on The Shoestopper.

I remember the time I first discovered joggers. It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and I was reading about this newest trend in town called “athleisure”

All the style channels I follow were talking about it, and joggers seemed to be at the center of them all. Naturally, I devoured plenty of guides (and then some more) about this intriguing member of the sweatpants family and then decided to buy my first pair.

Since then, Joggers have basically been my go-to pants for lounging at home, going to the gym, and running errands. With their tapered shape and that signature elastic at the bottom, it provides a silhouette I very much enjoy, thanks to my recent love for everything tailored and fitted

Over time, I’ve figured out certain shoes that work best with joggers, and that’s what this article is about

Joggers are surprisingly versatile for a pair of athletic pants – you can wear joggers with a lot of casual shoes in your wardrobe, and some semi-formal ones too. Sneakers are often the first shoe style that comes to mind, but there are more. Since joggers are athletically inspired, the best shoes to wear with joggers will also be the ones that are sporty or look like it. Low-cuts as well as high-cut match well with joggers

Let’s get started then. Here are the 9 best types of shoes to wear with joggers, from most athletic to the least

Best Shoes To Wear With Joggers

#1: Running Shoes

Okay, this is no shocker. Running shoes look GREAT with Joggers, and for obvious reasons

Running.. Jogging… Jogg-ers.. Get it?

The best thing about wearing joggers with running shoes is that you don’t have to worry about the colour of your shoes. We’re going sporty-max here, guys.

Blue-and-Black – great, go ahead! Bright orange? Awesome, why not!

Just ensure that if your shoes *are* a bright colour, the joggers balance them by being neutral. At each point of time, we should have only one thing about our outfit that’s a statement

Wear these: to run, of course! or even errands, really. I leave it up to you.

#2: Gym / CrossFit Shoes

Out of all 9 pairings mentioned in this article, I love the combination of gym / CrossFit shoes and joggers the most. There is something about the hard soles and heel drop of such shoes that just complements the joggers really well.

Unfortunately, some shoes are meant strictly for the gym so you can’t wear them anywhere else

I promise that you will look on point at the iron temple though
(unless you’ve just finished working out and are hot and sweaty. All bets are off them)

There are some workout shoes that you might be able to wear outside the gym too, though. The squat shoes pictured above are my main gym shoes, so at times I wear these Project Rocks (below) for walks or short errands nearby

Wear these: to the gym, and for walks (crossfit shoes are multi-purpose)

#3: Plain Canvas Sneakers

We can’t miss out on sneakers when talking about shoes that you can wear with joggers. This is where we move away from sporty to casual, which gives us even more options to style joggers

Sneakers are such a wide category, that I had to reserve three different points for it! This one is specifically about canvas sneakers

Since sneakers and joggers will be casual, you can still get away with many colours if the overall design is not too loud. The same tip applies – keep your joggers neutral with edgy sneakers and vice-versa

Wear these: to run errands, get coffee, short trips around town, etc.

#4: Converse Sneakers (Special Mention)

My converse sneakers were reserved for the gym before I got squat shoes – never wore them for anything else

And although I would never recommend converse sneakers to you otherwise, they shoes do work well with jogger pants

Chuck Taylors are a great match and come in a variety of classic colours, which gives you the freedom to style them your way

These low-top shoes are meant for the sockless look (more on that later) and you can rock them with joggers for many casual occasions

Wear these: to hang out with friends over the weekend, for casual brunches, or even the gym

#5: White / Black Leather Sneakers

If you’d like to dress up those joggers but don’t want to compromise on the easy and comfort of sneakers – then leather is the perfect choice

Black and White are both classic colours that will go with everything. On days I’m relaxing at home and too lazy to change into anything else, I’ll wear my white sneaks with joggers if I have to head out. From the couch to the street looking uber cool in minutes

If you want to take it up a notch, opt for black sneakers when going out after sundown

Wear these: anywhere casual. You know the drill

#6: Driving / Boat shoes

If we were to categorize all the shoe styles here in terms of formality, Driving / Boat shoes would be called as ‘smart-casual’

Or not. Who knows, with all these terms they keep coming up with

Anyway, Boat shoes are definitely smart, and they look the part when worn with joggers

Wear these: when driving (okay I’m being too Captain Obvious) or for a grocery run. Boat shoes will work in all the same situations as sneakers as well

#7: Espadrilles

Espadrilles are relaxed and super casual shoes that are perfect for the warm weather.

I like to call them slippers’ better-looking brother – because they’re just as convenient and comfortable but also unique

These canvas slip-on shoes are a refreshing take on jogger-shoe pairings, so if you don’t have them already you should go buy them! Just make sure the fit of your joggers is perfect as oversized pants will throw off the entire look

Wear these: on a day out in the sun. Espadrilles are great for lounging so you can wear them at home as well

#8: Tassel Loafers

This is where we get slightly dressy. Tassel Loafers look at home, but only with the right pair of joggers

Look for joggers that look somewhat like chinos. Even if you have regular ones, this should work as long as the jogger fit is tapered and there is no material sagging

Wear these: in semi-formal / smart-casual settings. The dressy nature of the loafers will be out-of-place in an overly casual environment

#9: Black Brogued Dress shoes (?)

Okay, I’ll agree – dress shoes and joggers don’t sound like an ideal combination.

Honestly, I thought the same, but while researching for this post there were a few dress shoe looks that were interesting. The brogueing probably helps to tone it down

So I tried them on, and below are the results: you can decide for yourself. And if you think it looks cool, let me know!

Oh and just like the converse low-tops, sockless would be better here. We wouldn’t want to do anything to *add* to the formality of these shoes

Wear these: when you’re feeling adventurous and want to dress-up jogger pants. To the movies, or for that dinner date, maybe?

Now that you know shoes you can wear with joggers, here are two shoes that you absolutely shouldn’t

Shoes You Should Avoid With Joggers

#1: Slippers

Technically not shoes, but I had to mention them here.

They’re okay at home, but when outside, avoid slippers like the plague. Please. At best, you can wear them with shorts when going swimming, or to the beach.

#2: Sandals

With slippers topping the list of shoes you shouldn’t wear with joggers, sandals had to follow

My views are the same here. Do.not.wear.sandals. There are always better styles out there, and these open-toed shoes are not one of them

Sockless – To Be Or Not To Be

This will always be a debatable topic, but here are my two cents on it:

Should you be wearing socks with joggers?
Yes. With the exception of Espadrilles and some Driving / Boat shoes, all other shoes should always be worn with socks: be it full length or no show

Should you rock the sockless look?
Now, that’s the better question. Yes of course you should, if you want to.
It’s mainly a matter of preference.

In almost all situations, I feel more comfortable wearing socks. With joggers, it depends on the look I’m going for. Tassel loafers and Converse low-top sneakers will definitely benefit from the sockless look, though.

Try both and see what you’re comfortable (and confident) with. These two things will matter the most

Joggin’ Your Memory!

I hope this style guide was helpful.

There are so many ways and so many shoes out there that you could wear with joggers, but these are the basic rules. They will help you decide further, the next time you’re choosing a pair of shoes. Bookmark the post to easily get back to it the next time

I’d love to hear if you had a favourite from these 9 shoe styles, so please let me know in the comments below

The post 9 Best Types of Shoes To Wear With Joggers (And 2 You Should Avoid) appeared first on The Shoestopper.

Laced dress shoes will either be oxfords or derbies, both of them have a separate way of lacing that work best with that particular style. Traditionally, oxfords will be straight-laced where the laces look like parallel bars moving from one side of the eyelet to the other. This kind of lacing is the most formal, in contrast to the cross lacing used for derby shoes which is one step down the formality scale but still very dressy. In cross lacing, the laces move from one side of the eyelet to the other so as to form a cross (x)

This article lists the step-by-step method for both straight lacing and cross lacing. It also talks about the one lacing style that you should avoid when it comes to dress shoes and provides some more information about shoelace lengths and shoelace types

Straight Lacing / Bar Lacing for Oxford Shoes

The right way to lace Oxford shoes is straight, where the laces are parallel and straight. This adds to the clean look that oxfords provide and can be done for both odd or even number of eyelets

Oxford shoes will almost always come laced this way out of the box, so you’ll need to apply this method only when you decide to change your shoelaces, or remove them while cleaning the shoes

Most Oxford shoes have 5 eyelets though, which is used as a base reference for these steps-

1. Start by putting both ends of the laces across the bottom eyelets from the outside
2. Pull both ends and keep the one on the outer part of the shoe about 3″ longer for odd eyelets.
   For even number of eyelets, both ends should be at the same length
3. Insert the end on the outer part into the second hole on the same side, from the inside. Put it into the second hole on the opposite side
4. The end that was inserted in the first hole on the opposite (inner) side should be put into the third hole on that side. Then put this end straight across to the outer side in the third hole
5. Keep going up in this manner, both ends skipping one eyelet on the inside and going straight across to the other side
6. For an odd number of eyelets, one eyelet will be left empty towards the end and you’ll have to make a cross from one hole below on the other side. This is why we had kept one side longer.
   For even eyelets, all would be covered equally so no cross will be required.

Cross Lacing for Derby Shoes

Like the name suggests, the two sides of the laces in this technique meet each other in a criss-cross manner – making it the strongest method of fastening your shoes. It is ideal for shoes that are a bit less formal than oxfords, like derbies, boots, and even sneakers.

I have also rarely found this lacing on shoes out of the box, so if you’re thinking of going for this method (and you should), you’ll have to do it from the get-go

Although derbies can be straight-laced too, I personally feel that cross lacing looks better on this style

1. Take both ends of the laces and insert them across the bottom eyelets, forming a bar like in step 1 of straight lacing shown above
2. Ensure that both ends are at the same length. Take the end on the inner part of the shoe and put it through the second eyelet on the other side
3. Then insert the end on the outer part of the shoe in the second eyelet on the inner side – crossing over the diagonal lace in step 2
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 till all the eyelets are covered. Both ends should now be coming out from below the topmost eyelet.

The Lacing Style You Should Avoid – Factory lacing

If you’re wondering what the faux bar lacing on your new pair of derbies is called, this is probably the answer. Also called shoe shop lacing, shoes are generally laced this way in the factory before dispatching them. It gives the appearance of bar lacing at first, but look closer and you’ll see that the laces actually move upwards in a zig-zag manner on the inside

Since one end of the lace is enough to achieve the zigzag pattern of this lacing style, the other end (on the outer part of the shoe) runs directly and diagonally to the topmost eyelet on the opposite side

The reason it is not advisable to keep your shoes laced this way is because of the asymmetry across both ends. Although it is easier and faster to factory lace shoes, the laces are uneven on the inside even if they look straight on top. This can cause a lot of tension on the eyelets while tying the shoes and make them out of alignment over time

A note on shoelace lengths

The laces that come with your shoes should last you a long time – some even offer an extra pair in the box. But if yours wear out soon, or if you’re planning to switch up with fun colored shoelaces (yes it’s a thing!), it would be good to know the appropriate lengths for various shoes

The easiest way to decide on shoelace length is as per the number of eyelet pairs on the shoe. The approximate value ranges are as below –

Laces for Dress Shoes: Flat or Cylindrical?

If we are talking about keeping it traditional, dress shoes should be worn with cylindrical shoelaces since they are more formal than flat laces. You will find flat shoelaces on most sneakers because of their casual look.

Neither is better than the other because both can be used differently. Boots will have thick round laces which are sturdy and durable while those of dress shoes are thinner and more susceptible to snapping and tear. Flat shoelaces will come undone far less often than round ones – that’s why they are used on casual or running shoes.

Can you use flat shoelaces on dress shoes? Why not! They can distinctly change the look of your shoes. Just make sure they are thin enough to pass through the shoe eyelets, and preferably go for waxed cotton ones – cheap quality shoelaces won’t look good or last long

Summary:

Straight and cross lacing constitute the two most classic ways to lace your dress shoes. As a rule of thumb, oxford shoes are meant to be straight-laced while derbies have the versatility of looking good with both the methods.

Cross lacing is the most secure of the two, making it difficult for your laces to come undone.

My suggestion would be to try both of these methods and see the comfort levels in each. Don’t be afraid to experiment, it will only get you one step closer to developing your own sense of shoe style

The post The Smartest Ways To Lace Your Dress Shoes appeared first on The Shoestopper.