Mens Shoe Care & Shoe Buying Guide

Shoe Care & Buying Guide

mens-shoe-careFor the fashion-forward man, putting the right amount of emphasis on buying and maintaining footwear is of the utmost importance. The right footwear can do a great deal to pull together an ensemble, and should not be underestimated. Knowing how to navigate the world of footwear can be difficult, however; especially for men who are new to putting effort into the way they dress. That said, it doesn’t take more than understanding a few basic principles about footwear to gain the confidence necessary for making wise decisions regarding purchasing and maintaining a pair of shoes. The following are three essential tips for buying and maintaining men’s footwear, all of which are important for all men to understand.

1. Each Occasion Requires a Specific Shoe
One of the most important things to remember when setting out to buy or wear a pair of shoes is that each occasion you dress for requires very specific footwear. The mistake of wearing the wrong shoes for a given situation occurs all too frequently, and is especially common amongst men who are still experimenting with finding their own specific style. The fact is, formal footwear and casual footwear are two completely different ballgames, and should not be mixed unless you’re sure it will work. Running shoes, for example, are fine for the gym and lounging around the house, but are not suitable whatsoever for business meetings or other more formal scenarios, just as oxfords would look out of place at the bowling alley.

2. Consider Quality Above All Else
Everyone would like to have an entire closet full of different types of shoes, but the fact is that money often gets in the way. Rather than buying a great deal of different shoes/boots of moderate quality, you’ll do best to focus on a few high-quality pairs of shoes instead. Poor-quality footwear not only tends to be unflattering, but will almost always break down over a rather quick period of time, only forcing you to spend more and more money each year on shoes. If paying for an expensive pair of shoes or boots is difficult for you based upon your budget, you may want to consider visiting a high-end vintage thrift store. So long as the shop owners take care to only sell merchandise that has seen minimal wear, your chances of finding a great pair of shoes for a fraction of what they might cost brand new are rather high. On a final note, invest in shoes that are timeless! A classic pair of oxford dress shoes, wing tip shoes, and monk straps are good examples.

3. Never Neglect Maintaining Your Footwear
It’s not uncommon for men who are strapped for time throughout the day to neglect properly maintaining their footwear simply due to the fact that they are too busy. The fact is, this excuse only goes so far, as maintaining a pair of shoes doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming. If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain or snow, you should put forth the effort to waterproof your shoes, which usually requires little more than purchasing the right spray to get the job done. In addition, it’s usually wise to shine your dress shoes on occasion in order to remove any scuff marks that might exist; again, a simply shining solution is all it takes to get this done, and should come with adequate instructions. Finally, be sure to rotate the shoes that you wear on a regular basis. Use cedar shoe trees to bring the shoe back into its shape as well as to remove moisture and odors.

Other Suggested Articles
Tips for Starching a Mens Dress Shirt
How to Clean a Silk Tie

Your Mens Ties dot Com Team

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.