A Shoe is a Shoe, or is it?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The month of June is here and that means the onset of summer.  June is also the month for weddings, so that means, like it or not, uncovering the suit and dusting off the dress shoes.  You will undoubtedly have to do the escort thing and take your lady to one, two or a few functions this summer season.  But not to worry, if you have the suit, you should have a good and classic pair of shoes to go with it.

Following are a few tips for what makes the great pair, and how you can best incorporate them into your wardrobe.  Your feet will be grateful if you don’t shirk on the cost.  A good pair of shoes will probably cost upwards of $200.00, perhaps a good bit more.  Keep in mind though, you get what you pay for, and you should be able to wear these shoes for years, if not decades.  If you can only have one pair of dress shoes, go with this:

• Classic, black, glossy leather lace ups 
• Leather soles
• Close welt
• Nearly invisible stitching
• Round elongated toe
• Minimum ¼” sole

Hands down, glossy leather is the fool-proof way to go, but if you have a little adventure you may want to experiment with suede, ostrich or alligator.  Get ready to invest some money in the latter two. Cap toe oxfords are classic dress and look amazing with everything, but wing tips are a safe bet also. Just make sure the soles are not thin, as this is a dead give-away that the shoes are bad.  The lining in leather shoes should be made of calfskin or quality leather and never a synthetic material.  The leather lining will help deal with perspiration.

If you have doubts about your ability to select and purchase a pair of quality leather shoes, shop on a Sunday afternoon, which is the slowest time of the week.  Also, get a clerk to help you with the Brannock foot measuring device.  This way you are sure to get a good fit and your feet will be grateful.  Buy shoes that fit right from the start.  If they don’t fit at first, the fit will not improve as time goes by.  A pair of shoe trees or shoe savers is a worthwhile added investment.  Placed in your shoes as soon as you take them off, they will help maintain the shoe shape and eliminate odors caused by perspiration thereby protecting the longevity of the shoes.  Still having doubts?  Go ahead, slip out of the sneakers and reinvent yourself by slipping into a pair of classics.

If you a diabetic you will want a softer shoe with cushioned sole and be sure to consult with Dr. Bowman prior to your purchase.  You can reach Dr. Jeff Bowman at 713-467-8886 or schedule an online appointment at www.houstonfootspecialists.com.

References:

http://www.kinowear.com/blog/a-simple-guide-on-dress-shoes

Related articles

• If The Shoe Rips

  ---

• discontinued rockport shoes

  ---

• Have great shoes? Use a cobbler.

  ---