Campus Trends

Shoes for men

Shati Ahmed
Photos: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

The hackneyed phrase "first impression is the last impression" holds its values, clichés are clichés for a reason. Ever notice how girls pay attention to the type of shoes men wear? Believe it or not, shoes are the first thing they check out. You see the shoe one wears can tell a lot about one's personality. It is never wrong to be a man with a taste and style. Among heaps of other accessories formal shoes play a vital part of a man's wardrobe. Pair a good looking pair of formals with the perfect suit and you will be the next Pitt or Travolta walking down the red carpet, at least in the eyes of the ladies. As obvious as it is dress shoes are meant for formal occasions. However there are categories and sub categories to dress shoes. Not all dress shoes styles are multipurpose, depending on the event you're attending; some dress shoes are more suitable than others. Wear the right shoe for the right occasion; never make this common mistake when it comes to footwear. Remember never to sacrifice proper fit and comfort, always buy the right shoe size. For starters you have Oxfords, non-rubber sole, lace-up shoes built to be worn below a man's ankle. I advise every man to own a classic pair of oxfords to wear with his 2 piece suit. Modern oxfords these days may be made from suede or synthetic materials. Like all other dress shoes, oxfords traditionally come in black, brown, chestnut, burgundy and occasionally white for bold wearers. They are good for the office, semi formal or contemporary chic events.

You have Leather Loafers as an excellent option; they are built with heavier rubber soles and more casual uppers to include leather imitations and differ from other slip on loafers. Traditionally made from leather, loafers are slip-on shoes worn more as a dressy sport shoe. They pair nicely with jeans, shorts, formal pants and khakis. The distinguishing feature of all loafers is they come without laces or buckles, therefore very easy to wear. Although the loafer is a casual shoe it is still appropriate for business and business casual occasions. Then there are Monk straps, has no laces but rather leather straps and metallic buckles which attaches onto the upper portion of the shoe near the ankle. This type of shoe offer more protection than a sandal but are easier to remove than boots. While very refined, the buckle and wider heel give them a slightly more casual look, so these would be a good choice for wearing with dressy jeans, casual dress pants or to the office. They are similar to loafers however a monk strap shoe could be worn at casual business events but never at formal events.

Next you have Cap Toes, essentially from the family of oxfords, cap-toe shoes have an additional layer or band of leather over the toe. They are meant for frequent use. Everything about them is like a traditional oxford, but a large leather band with contrast stitching over the toe gives them an extra edge and décor .They come in jet black and various shades of brown. Cap toes attracted so much attention that it was in cooperated into women's shoe fashion. There's no end to men's shoe options. But when it comes to formal the above proved to be the best worn and most popularly demanded. When shopping for dress shoes, the most important thing to keep in mind is the quality of the leather, a first-rate pair of dress shoes should be made from smooth, soft leather and be narrow and sleek in shape, the proper fit and the comfort. Don't forget to pair them up with a nice pair of socks, although loafers can be worn without any socks. With these must have originals go and dress for success.