People notice your shoes. Women in particular notice your shoes. Don't think they aren't checking them out. You spend all day in these things walking around, so you want shoes that are of the best quality that you can afford, that are comfortable, and with proper care, will look sharp for many years.  For work, you should have at least one pair of black dress shoes and one pair of brown or cordovan dress shoes. They should be substantial without being bulky, which means no thin-soled shoes or lug-soled shoes. If you're wearing a suit, your shoes should have laces. Lean toward a classic lace-up oxford.
Take your pick of the following types of oxford dress shoes:
- Plain toe (the most formal, in black, they could do double duty with your tuxedo)
- Cap-toe (a stitched seam across the upper part of toe)
- Wing-tip (slightly less formal, stitched decoration resembles the spread wings of a bird)
- Blucher (more casual, stitched seam vertically splits the toe)
- Apron-front (also more casual, stitching decorations at the toe, particularly popular now)
Chances are you will need another pair of black shoes, since most of your wardrobe will lend itself to black shoes. There are a variety of low boots that can go with suits and can be worn at the office, as well as loafers for less formal days.
Slip-ons or loafers, no matter how sleek, do not work with a proper suit. With a sport coat and slacks, they're a home run. With a suit and tie? A called third strike, with two outs, and the winning run on third. With your Dad in the stands.
They should fit when you buy them. Have your feet sized and buy shoes that fit that size, not what you think your feet should be. Ill-fitting shoes will really make you a charmer to be around.
David bought a great looking pair of shoes... that were a size too big. No problem, he thought he'd put a tongue and heel pad in the shoe and be on his way. It wasn't enough, but no matter. David put on thicker socks and went on a date wearing the shoes, slippage be damned. While following the maitre d' to their table, he stepped right out of one shoe, with the pads spilling onto the floor. It looked like the shoe had a Charmin explosion.
Shoe CareRight after buying the shoes, take them to a cobbler and have taps put on the toes and heels. This minor investment will add a year's worth of wear. Replacing soles and heels can get to be almost as much as the shoe itself.
Shine them at least every two weeks, preferably once a week, depending on how many pair you have and how often you wear them. If you can't (or prefer not do), there are a people who can. Find them and pay them.
Keep a quick shine sponge/kit at your desk. You can buy one (or take the one from the bathroom at your next hotel stay).
We have three words for you — cedar shoe trees. They keep the shape of your shoes and keep them from smelling like feet.
Buy a shoe horn (or lift one from a hotel) to protect the backs of your shoes.
Rotate your shoes, since they need to dry out for at least a day from the awful dampness your feet and socks impart on them. |
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