Men’s Formal Shoes

The essentials of formal wear consist of a nice hairdo, clean tailored suit, an expensive watch, and a pair of men’s formal shoes. Believe it or not, next to the suit, the shoes are the most important. The shoes represent the man’s taste in formal clothing. Wear the wrong shoes and you’ll be the laughing stock of the party. Being the gentleman he was, James Bond probably had an extensive knowledge of men’s formal shoes.

Let’s talk about men’s formal shoes.

Essentials of men’s formal shoes
What makes quality men’s formal shoes?

Men’s formal shoes are mostly black or brown. These two colors blend well with just about any type of suit, though other color of men’s formal shoes are also available, including white, cordovan, chestnut, oxblood and burgundy. Men’s formal shoes are much more flexible in color than women’s shoes.

Most Americans have taken a liking to oxblood and cordovan formal shoes, while other nationalities prefer the other colors. All men’s formal shoes used to be made of leather, including the lining, outers, and the sole. But for tougher shoes most soles these days are now made of rubber. It makes perfect sense, why would anyone want leather soles anyway?

Let’s move on to the different types of men’s formal shoes.

The different styles of men’s formal shoes
• Oxfords
Oxfords use a lace up and tie to keep the shoes firm against the foot. Known as Balmorals in the US, Oxfords are distinguished by a closed lacing section where pieces of leather are sewn together at the bottom. These men’s formal shoes are the standard shoes for most suits.

• Monks
Monk shoes have no lacing and are closed using a strap with a buckle. It’s another popular type of men’s fashion shoes.

• Derbies
Derbies are similar to Oxfords, but instead have an open lacing. These are less neat-appearing though they can be worn at formal parties anyway.

• Loafers
Loafers are slip-on shoes. Some consider loafers even less formal than derbies, but it really depends on the suit you’re wearing. In this case, loafers are still seen as men’s formal shoes.

The importance of brogues
It’s normal for men’s formal shoes to be made from several small pieces of leather. It makes the shoe more elegant, and gives the shoemaker an opening to be more creative in decorating the seams. A perfect example is the brogue.

Brogues are known for being fashionable men’s formal shoes. Called wingtips in the US, they have rows of decorated punching in patterns, sometimes even toe caps in wavy shapes. These are called full brogues. Half brogues have of course less punching and normal edged toe caps. Quarter brogues have even less of these features, but are still distinguishable from non-brogue men’s formal shoes.

All types of men’s formal shoes may be brogued.

Men’s formal shoes on the Internet
Like men’s Italian shoes, men’s formal shoes are also available on the Internet, and sometimes at a cheaper price, too. The only thing you need to remember is to buy them from authorized dealers. Ask an experienced friend or relative for some tips and advice if this is your first time buying men’s formal shoes on the Internet.

Show them a true gentleman. Wear men’s formal shoes.