Now when I am talking about shoes please don’t mistake me to be talking about any random shoes. Am going to strictly stick to formal, flat-soled sneakers, trainers and sandals. Maybe I’ll take the time to also talk about sock combinations though what do I know about that. Am not going to lie to you, there are blogs that do this far better than here but I’ll do my best not to disappoint at all. Fashion is a very broad and diverse aspect of the average person’s life. It has so much power to speak even before you do, it gives people a first impression before even your words. Now as the Unconscious Nation, we mainly aim at delivering knowledge on things that people tend to think are insignificant in the bigger picture(their lives). Without further ado, let’s take a look at this men’s guide;
Formal shoes
I don’t know how much I can stress this, at least a pair of formal shoes when you clock about 18 years old. They may not fit into your daily life but they really put you up there when you need to dress casual formal or super formal. Now some shoes do the casual formal better than others but it’s better to own a universal pair that can do both in case you can only afford one pair. It’s all about making the best of what you have and not stressing out your budget to own everything. For versatility I’ll give it to loafers, they tend to fit very well on whatever outfit you have but then aim for something that’s more into a formal look since there are also very casual loafers out there. You can choose to do a loafer particularly in a brogues-like fashion and a nice pair of casual penny loafers. Play around with a few outfits to see how they fit the shoes. I recommend khakis, jeans and tailored trousers to really make a statement. In case you’re aiming for a more casual look wear no show socks. But in case you want it formal wear long socks. I really recommend checking out what my boyfriend wore. He really has a way to tackle men’s fashion that is undeniably good.
Now let’s see if your aim is to be 100% formal, what would you pick out that is going to make you standout. A good pair of men’s dress shoes will get the job done with ease. Though some tend to be too flashy with a lot of unwanted detail like chains or even ornaments. Personally I prefer those without and in case they really need to have them then a small buckle is enough. A Franco bernetti or even Clarks can get the job done.
Preferably when wearing formal, it’s better to have a slim fit trouser in case you have an athletic or slim built. In case you need to go bigger it’s always okay as long as you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing. When it comes to sock colours, you can do the universal black sock that matches with everything or you can choose to match your socks with the trousers that you’re wearing. Opting for a darker shade of the trousers you’re wearing is always a good idea because it takes attention off your feet and more to you.
Take your time researching and looking on the internet about combinations that you’re confident with. You may choose to go with darker shades for your outfits or lighter shades. It’s really all up to you and what you’re trying to achieve.
Flat soled sneakers
The flat sole is a very good fashion statement that is so common when we are looking at casual outfits to even shorts. Actually these are the most all round shoes to get in case you know you are doing a lot of casual dressing. I prefer to normally have these shoes with one colour or 2 at most but with a more dominant colour, let’s say white body and black sole or black body and brown sole. The versatility of these shows is undeniable with you even being able to throw on a couple of tailored trousers and still rock the outfit for a more casual formal look.
Tommy Hilfiger with its signature white shoes is gonna fit on very many casual formal outfits or even just on a pair of shorts without doing too much. Clarks have some retro-like sneakers that are definitely going to bring some attention to your feet with their suede material. They tend to have many earth colours that are really nice. If you want a more common shoe then you can try vans and Adidas Stan Smiths. They are really nice too because of their simplicity. In case you love All star converse too, they fit just right in.
Trainers
Personally I would keep trainers for anything more physical than the average commute to work or just to go somewhere, but many people seem to have found a way of making trainers fit. In case you want to make them your go to, only wear them on very casual outfits.
Boots
It’s very hard to get boots wrong since they are of various types with all different purposes. Lace-up boots are perfect for semi-formal events when you want to impress, that’s already a good enough reason to get them. Choose a pair of tailored trousers or jeans and button-up shirt, t-shirt and even long sleeve shirts.
Chelsea are the ultimate casual classic. Their slip-on design makes them convenient and stylish. Wear them with slim-fit jeans and a casual tee. To elevate the ensemble for a more business-casual setting, swap the tee for a fitted blazer.
Chukka boots effortlessly transition from formal to informal. Their versatility allows pairing with chinos for a smart-casual look or with jeans. Choose suede or leather based on the setting—suede for social gatherings and leather for more professional environments.
Sandals
Am talking about leather Sandals can also really look good when you just going out for a stroll or even intend to make it to a social gathering without looking homeless. They really make a good piece when they are paired together with chinos, jeans and even tailored trousers for people who are willing to take the added elevation into their styling. For a top just choose any loose fit shirts and you’re good to go. Just for a relaxed look when wearing these
All in all versatility is the most important thing to me because it will stop you from having thousands of shoes when you can just get a few that really match your style. So in case of getting 5 pairs of each, aim for 1 pair of each that can do it all.
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