image source : Samuel Windsor
It is one thing to have a vast collection of sophisticated and expensive shoes in your closet and not know what each of those shoes mean and how to even wear them correctly and even to the right place. Imagine wearing a sneakers to a formal dinner with your boss and other top executives of your company, that’s just not only wrong but gross my friend but no need to worry we are here to help you know the various names to the shoes you have in your closet and what their meanings are, lets it already.
Oxford Shoes
One of the commonly known shoes which a lot of men don’t know its meaning is the famous Oxfords which are originally invented by students at the eponymous university during the 19th century. Bored of traditional boots, they created an ankle boot with a laced side slit. Over time, the boot became a shoe and the laces migrated to the top, but an Oxford is still an Oxford because the facing – the leather panels containing the eyelets – are stitched under the vamp – the front of the shoe.
Oxfords usually feature a plain cap toe, and when polished to a deep shine represent the smartest of smart formal shoes. WHERE TO WEAR THIS: Wear these with your suit, or with wool rich pants if you’re ever in doubt as to the dress code Oxfords are the best way to play it safe. Wearing your suit Go for a high quality leather pair in black or dark brown.
Derby Shoes
The difference between Oxfords and Derbys is the way that the laces fasten. Derbys have eyelet facings stitched to the top giving the lacing an open aspect rather than a neat slit. While not quite as smart as Oxfords, Derbys do have their advantages. If for example, you have very wide feet, or your feet tend to swell in hot stuffy rooms, a Derby offers a greater range of adjustment.
WHERE TO WEAR DERBY’S TO : You can wear Derbys with any smart casual suit which are suitable for a more relaxed office space, wear them with wool rich pants, a smart shirt and a cashmere sweater or cardigan. Or go for the same pants with a tweed jacket, Tattersall shirt and tie.
Brogue Shoes
Don’t get it twisted i understand what you thinking right now and yes there is no much difference from Brogue to Derby or Oxford shoes you are right to some extent and that’s because broguing refers to the decorative holes some formal shoes have, rather than their construction now that’s the magical difference between them originally, the perforations were there to allow water to drain out. Now they’re there because they look great but not all brogues are the same.
Choose from quarter brogues, semi-brogues and full brogues (also referred to as wingtips). Confused? Don’t be. The greater the number of perforations, the less formal the shoes. Oxford quarter brogues only have holes over the edge of the toe cap, and are perfectly acceptable to wear with your suit.
WHERE TO WEAR A BROGUE TO: These heavily perforated shoes are best suited to match a smart casual suit. Go for contrasting leathers which are a great choice for a day at the races.
Loafers
Loafers on authority is one of the popular formal shoes out there, the loafers come in different types namely; horsebit loafers, tasselled loafers, or penny loafers. These shoes which were originally developed from the footwear of Norwegian fishermen can however be tricky to get right.
If you’re going for loafers you need to consider your silhouette as a whole, and particularly the cut of your suit or pants. That’s because loafers are a slim, low profile shoe – if you wear them with pants which are too loose they can easily look a bit lost and your feet would look disproportionately horrible to watch now you don’t want to be a real live mickey mouse at the office or any function.
WHERE TO WEAR LOAFERS: loafers could be worn with a well tailored black or chinos pants and a woolen blazer for any formal occasion or to the office on a Friday, time out with friends or a weekend fix at the Polo ground.
Monk Shoes
Originally the footwear of choice for medieval monks, today’s monk shoes are formal shoes with a difference, if you are one of those men who just don’t like the lacing fiasco and having to always check if your lace is intact then Monk Shoes are your perfect bet. it features single or double buckles rather than traditional laces.
WHERE TO WEAR MONK SHOES TO: They’re a formal shoe for the slightly daring dapper man about town you can definitely wear them with a suit, as long as you select a suitable style and color. Black, oxblood and deep brown leather monk shoes make good office wear, but you should avoid extremes like long or pointed toe caps – these are shoes for hipsters and punks, not professionals like you. These versatile shoes also work with more casual wear, including denim and moleskin pants.
Now you know what the various types of shoes out there and where to wear each one of them, kindly check our previous article on 5 African Shoe Brands All African Men Should Have In Their Wardrobe and get yourself a good quality shoe that make you stand out and stylish
