If it’s true that a man’s outfit is assessed from his shoes up, then it’s their shade that first colours someone’s judgement.
Footwear, like everything else in menswear, has grown less rigid recently – these days you can wear Oxfords with jeans and trainers with a suit. But the key to pulling either off is in colour-matching; get the shade wrong and you can look like a car salesman on a night out, or like you’ve changed into your comfy shoes for your commute.
And as with everything else in your wardrobe, nailing colour is at once the simplest and the hardest thing about getting dressed in the morning. It’s easy to stick to tonal combinations – black shoes with black trousers, brown shoes with tan chinos – and never put a foot wrong.
But it’s a path that can swiftly lead to sartorial tedium, as well as financial ruin. Unless you intend to only ever wear a couple of colours of trousers, you’d need a rainbow of footwear to give you enough options.
For the shoe colour novice, there are some basic rules to guide your choice each morning.
Block colours are always smarter than anything multicoloured.
Generally, darker tones are smarter than lighter. They’re more versatile too.
It doesn’t matter what colour your shoes are if they’re scuffed. Find a polish that matches, (Spray in this case of suede) or a neutral polish if you’ve gone for something wilder, and keep them in good nick. They’ll last longer, too.
If you’re wearing something bright on your feet, then anchor them with neutrals elsewhere. Bold shoes are easier to pull off if you’re not also wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
Styled this lovely piece of purple loafers in two ways, trad and formal, a direct flaunt of its versatility!
What are you waiting for guys! It’s time to use this knowledge.. Shop with us today!
