- Tips for Men's Dress Shoes
- Tips for Women's Dress Shoes
Tips for Men's Dress Shoes
To all the dress-shoe-shopping men out there: don't let your feet make a fashion faux pas at that special event. While many a dress shoe rating - and many a review - will reveal footwear highs and lows, a rating alone might not be enough for you to decide which pair is best for you. Follow these surefire tips to ensure that you score the right pair of dress shoes as you embark on that sole-searching journey. Remember the following acronym for dress shoe shopping success: FABS. Forgiving material, Arch Support, Breathability, and Style.
F = Forgiving material. A
durable material makes all the difference for comfort and proper fit. Quality
leather tops the list as forgiving materials go, and while it may cost more than the synthetic stuff, the mileage and comfort one can get from real leather vs. man-made material makes it well worth the extra moola. Types of leather include
crocodile,
cordovan, and
ostrich. Go on; take a few of these for a spin to get a feel for what your feet are most comfortable in. You can also consult lists of most popular men's dress shoes, and review which materials users rank as
most comfortable.
A= Arch Support. Properly supported arches = happy feet. This is a critical consideration for comfort, especially if you are on your feet for most of the day. The rule of thumb (and comfort) here is that the sole of your foot should align with the arch support of the shoe. Check out user ratings on
shoe inserts on Buzzillions, and find out what each user had to say about the most popular brands.
B= Breathability. Your feet
need to breathe, and your toes need not suffer from constriction! Many users rank
full grain leather uppers being of the utmost breathability when it comes to mens dress shoes, and others depend on a breathable sole to see them through a long day on their feet.
S= Style. The wide range of mens dress shoes are generally categorized by how they are fastened (lacing, no lacing, strap, strap with buckle).
Oxfords are a good all-around-get-it-done type of style, which you can take from the office, to a semi-formal event, to a black-tie-affair, to a night on the town. Ultra-formal events usually call for a
black, polished oxford, while
burgundy,
brown and
cognac are acceptable for more casual events. Shoes should be as dark as or deeper in shade than the pants you are wearing.
Use your resources! Check out ebay, consumer reports, Amazon, craigslist, and user reviews on Buzzillions, and see what customers have to say about
oxfords vs.
loafers,
cap toe vs
monk strap. (Say what? Take a look at
this glossary for descriptions of the most popular styles.) A general rule of thumb: leather shoes are great for more dressy occasions, and dress shoes with rubber soles give you a polished look for more casual events.
Tips for Women's Dress Shoes
Before Carrie Bradshaw click-clacked her Manolos and Louboutins all the way down Fifth Avenue, Imelda Marcos' infamy was rooted in her extravagant penchant for footwear. Marcos corrected a statement made about her shoe collection by saying, "I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty." Ladies, if you don't have the financial means to build a shoe collection of a thousand pairs, fear not. We've got your back - and your feet. Sifting through the most popular trends,
brand comparison, and users reviews for ladies shoes might not be the way you want to spend ALL of your time online. So read on for the critical "S" factors - essential tips for finding the best pair for you.
Soiree (or, the occasion): Whether you need to make an appearance at a black-and-white ball, or you're looking to make a good impression for that interview, the right pair of women's dress shoes can make all the difference. From weddings, to dinner dates, and every occasion in between, be sure to browse only the type of dress shoe appropriate for the occasion. (Meaning no mules for that ball gown and absolutely no stilettos for the company picnic - but read on for more tips on specific styles...)
Sashay factor (aka heel height): The ideal height is two inches for women's dress shoes, as this is elegant enough for most occasions, but not too high that you compromise poise (not to mention graceful sashaying) when traveling across the room. It's always important to take your new shoes out for a spin before the big event, so be sure to do a dry run in your new pair.
Styles & Shades: Black vs
red,
sling back vs.
peep toe? While many styles and colors abound, we can steer you in the right direction with general tips to guide your decision. The thinner the heel of the shoe, the more flattering, but thicker heels provide more stability and comfort.
T-straps and
ankle straps tend to visually cut the length of the leg, and can make those of shorter heights look shorter. An oval-shaped toe can make larger feet appear smaller, and pointy-toed dress shoes tend to provide a lengthening effect to petite feet. Neutral earth tones are a good bet for versatility.
Black,
brown,
nude,
cream and
beige are bound to blend easily with your outfit. Black pumps are a good staple that can be worn from the office to the dinner date, and can even work for more formal occasions as well.