If I had to start my entire wardrobe over, I would start with shoes. Even a casual observation would tell you that, in terms of both choice and care, shoes are the part of many men’s wardrobes that don’t get appropriate attention. A lot of guys seem to think that shoes aren’t important, which is a mistake. A well-chosen and well-cared for pair of shoes says a lot about a man.
Listen:
In this podcast, I talk about starting at the foundation of a good wardrobe with smart, classic shoes that will work in any setting, any year, from business to casual, with suits or jeans. Avoid any square-toed clumsiness with weird stitching patterns and chunky soles that look like a collaboration between Kenneth Cole Reaction and Herman Munster. Start with something simple, elegant and timeless: a lace-up oxford or wingtip, with solid construction, perhaps with a Goodyear-welt. For the record, my favorite shoes come from Church’s and Grenson in the U.K., and, in the U.S., Alden, Allen Edmonds, Johston & Murphy and Florsheim.
In the podcast, I also elaborate on how to take care of your shoes so that they last longer than you will.
My simple rules of shoe care:
- Never wear the same shoes two days in a row. They need a day off to dry and retain their shape.
- Keep cedar shoe trees in your shoes when you’re not wearing them.
- Shine your shoes every week with a nice shoe cream, like Meltonian. Every two weeks minimum.
- Get taps put under the toes and heels of your shoes.
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8 Comments
I didn’t get to listen to the podcast, don’t have time at the moment, but have any tips for taking care of suede shoes?
I have a wonderful pair of oxford-esque black suede shoes from Bass shoes and I love ’em.
I use some suede protector spray but they can still get stains on them. Kind of disappointing cause I’ve heard some raving reviews about the spray I bought (Kiwi suede protector spray)
Any tips would be appreciated.
Zach, do you use a suede brush and suede eraser? I brush my after every wear, and erase the stains ASAP. Kudos on spraying them. I once watched a shoe repair man wash a pair of suede shoes under the faucet with soap and a stiff brush. Not sure I’d do that myself.
why should I get taps underneath the toes and heels?
The condition of a man’s shoes says a lot about him, and worn-in heels and soles under the toe are a bad reflection on us. (Yes, it’s a detail people notice, either consciously or subconsciously.) We tend to wear out the heel and the part of the sole under the toe rather quickly. Having your friendly local shoe repair put plastic or rubber taps under your toes and heels prevents the quick wear on the sole and heel. Getting taps (and periodically replacing them) is also infinitely more cost-effective than replacing the heels or having the shoes re-soled.
Great podcast, George – really enjoyed listening! Agree completely with your opinions on the importance of maintenance and the type of styles to start with.
Curious if you’d expand on why you believe black shoes is the first color you should buy to start your wardrobe. In my experience, I’ve found brown to be more versatile in pairing with grays, browns, and beige. When I encounter a guy in a navy or charcoal suit wearing black lace-ups, the result looks very stark.
In addition, I’d like to hear your thoughts on when to go out wearing suede shoes over leather (other than when it’s not raining!).
Hey, Neal. Thank you for listening and leaving a comment! Don’t get me wrong: I love brown shoes. But black to me is actually more versatile with my preferred color palette of dark blues and dark grays. If someone is going to have one pair of nice handsome shoes like this, black would be more appropriate with more formal affairs like weddings, funerals or a night at the theater. It’s perhaps my preference for a starker look, but, again, I don’t negate or deny the beauty of a handsome brown Alden blucher.
George, do you have an opinion of ShoePassion? BTW, thanks for the shoe tap advice. It will surely save me a lot of money in the future.
Thanks, Rich! I’ve heard of SP but never bought any shoes from them.