Male Fashion 101 - Shoes

We are going to start this fashion post with some of the basics: Shoes

Wearing the right kind of shoes at the right time will make you stand out from the rest of the guys out there.

Remember when you were a kid and your footwear consisted only of your school shoes and your dirty-good-for-any-occasion sneakers? You don’t? Well, I do. And I kind of miss those more simple times. However, now I look better. Which is always a plus.

I’m going to give you some very important information about shoes, and the right type of shoes for the right places. Just follow these simple rules.

RULE 1

Gym shoes don’t go well with everything in your closet. Gym shoes don’t belong outside the gym, basketball court, etc, etc. Don’t wear them if you’re not practicing any kind of sport’s activity like hiking or playing a soccer match with your friends.

RULE 2

Every guy needs at least 4 pairs of shoes. Your “grown up” shoes (oxfords), “gym” shoes, “going out tennis” shoes, and a pair of sandals to “kick it around the house”. If you live in very hot places, like Miami or Los Angeles, you should consider getting another pair of sandals for walking down the beach. This second pair has to be leather sandals. And please, please, please, please, don’t ever, ever, ever, ever wear sandals of any kind with socks on even if you’re just around your house.

RULE 3

Always keep all your footwear somewhat clean. Not only you will look better, but they will last longer.

GROWN UP SHOES (OXFORDS)

They are called oxfords and these are the kind of shoes you wear to formal events or when you want to look nice, as when you’re out on a date to a fancy restaurant. These pair of shoes have laces on the top and look mature. Make sure to get a brown and a black pair. Wear the black shoes with black shirts, and wear the brown ones with brown shirts. A variation is getting a pair of black oxfords and a cool dark brown pair of motorcycle boots. This combination will work wonders. And will cover almost any formal or informal event you can attend.

Oh, and don’t worry, you can buy and wear motorcycle boots even if you don’t ride a motorcycle. However, don’t wear motorcycle boots if you ride a scooter/moped. Those things are more for girls. (the scooters/mopeds, not the motorcycle boots)

I know we are in the middle of hard economic times, however, I highly recommend getting a pair of brown oxfords. But if you can’t afford them, then at least make sure you get a pair of black ones. If you end up doing this, please stay away from brown shirts. Trust me, girls will notice this brown-shirt-and-black-shoes look…and they won’t like it.

And from now on, please don’t refer to them as “grown up” shoes; “oxfords” is the correct term. Let’s all grow up a little. Can you image going to a shoe department store and asking the beautiful assistant “Hi. Do you know where the grown up shoes are?”.

GYM SHOES

Don’t wear them outside the gym or if you’re not practicing any sport’s activity. Try to keep them clean. I’m not a fan of white gym shoes, but if you are, that’s your decision. I tend to go for the darker gym shoes. I feel they give you more of a mature look, but at the same time an athletic one.

When you buy them, make sure to buy the right type of tennis shoes: The ones with special support for the arch of your feet. Just look at the sole of the shoe. If you see it is made up of two pieces…that’s a gym shoe.

I’ve said not to wear gym shoes outside the gym. Now I’m saying not to wear anything other than gym shoes to the gym. Other wise you may hurt your feet. Other footwear don’t provide the necessary support/protection for an intense work out. So please leave your cool “going out” tennis shoes in the locker room before breaking a sweat. Outside fashion, is not gym fashion.

NOTE: I highly recommend buying New Balance gym shoes. Why? Because they are made in America. And we need to help our own economy by buying American products. As for me, the second my Adidas gym shoes break, I’ll go get a pair of New Balance.

GOING OUT TENNIS SHOES

There’s a wide variety of these out there. You will be fine with a pair of Converse shoes. Stay away from over designed glittery shoes; like Ed Hardy. And if you end up getting stuck with Ed Hardy shoes, like I did, make sure to keep the less “fancy” ones. Actually, if you look close enough, they are not that bad after all. Right? Don’t worry, as soon as my Ed Hardy become less popular, I’ll throw them away and get a pair of Converse.

I mostly wear my Ed Hardy shoes with jeans, which means you hardly get to see the shoes themselves. Most of the time people think I’m wearing Converse shoes. But if for some reason, they end up looking at my shoes, they like them. So, if someone says “Levi jeans & Ed Hardy shoes don’t go well” you can answer:

“Estás pendeja y mala del culo como Dreamerhippie”

Use this footwear when you’re going out, but want to be a little more comfortable and give a more relaxed look.

SANDALS

They can go from flip flops to something more sophisticated. I prefer to use Skechers sandals over regular flip flops. Why? Because they provide a proper support to the arches of your feet. Remember, with flip flops, you’re pretty much walking over pieces of plastic with no special design or anything. They can hurt your feet in the long run.

With these sandals you can walk all day and not regret it in the afternoon. They work great if you’re going out to the movies or just anywhere. Ideal for a 90+ degree day here in L. A.

If you live in a very hot place like Miami or Los Angeles, I suggest getting a second pair of sandals. Leather sandals. You can use them for more formal occasions. Make sure they have support for your feet. They can be a little expensive, but if you’re going to use them a lot during the summer, it will be worth it. That way you can leave your Skechers sandals at home and use your nice leather sandals when you’re going to a “formal” event during a hot summer day; like a date. This leather sandals will look magnificent when worn with a white shirt-pants combination.

This information pretty much will take care of your basic shoe necessities. Remember, always try to wear the proper shoe for the occasion. I hope after reading this you won’t go out to a first date with blue jeans and white gym shoes in a hot 92 degree day thinking you’re the shit.

Feel free to post any questions or comments.

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