The Ultimate Men’s Dress Shoe Guide

Women can get what not to compliment her style with her attire; however, men always fall short on such options. With limited accessorizing options available, how can a man possibly enhance the look? Well, not many would know, but a perfect pair of dress shoe can give that black suit a perfect end. To have a good pair of dress shoes in your closet is never a luxury, it's a necessity.

Although there are a number of shoes for men available, below is a shoe guide every man must follow:

Type of Dress Shoe

The Oxford: The most basic and timeless dress shoe is The Oxford. It fulfills your need for a classic staple with the versatility of wearing beneath a formal wear or casual. The best characteristic of this shoe is its facing that is stitched under the vamp. A "closed lacing", as it is called hugs the foot and gives out a slim silhouette to it. From every day wear to those tuxedo choices, Oxfords are your best bet. Although available in suede, go for a leather one to keep it original.

The Derby: Originally intended to be a sporting and hunting boot, the Derby shoes were appropriately accepted at the turn of 20th century. They are often acknowledged like Oxfords when they really are not! At the first glance, one would not be able to identify the difference between the two. But if you look closely the difference lies in the placing of the face. The Derby's has the facing stitched on top of the vamp, wherein Oxford it is sewn under the vamp. Derby's are a lot more comfortable than Oxfords for a lot of people, because of the same reason.

The Monk Strap: The name is taken from the monks who originally wore them. The Monk strap comes in the single and double buckle, in the shape of Oxford shoes. They provided better protection than the sandals that monks originally wore. Cannot be taken as all formals, but Monk Strap shoes can fall somewhere between Oxfords and Derby’s. It definitely adds a different panache to your look. In the world of lace-up shoes, keep your look edgy with the Monk Straps.

The Loafer: A moccasin-inspired shoe, loafers are the best for the times when you have to hurry up and keep your style quotient decked up. It has an interesting history, which is being the house slipper for King George VI of England. It was until 1960's when American businessmen started wearing the loafers with formal attire. First formal introduction in 1966, took the loafer to new heights. Now they come in various types of colours and styles. They are easy, comfortable and quick to carry with almost all the outfits.

The Chukka Boots: Moving towards a much casual side of the dressing, Chukkas are the best to carry for a brunch or casual outings with your mates. They are ankle-length booths along with two-three pairs of eyelets for lace-up closure. They fit in perfectly around the ankle that doesn't destroy the look of the trousers. Traditionally, Chukkas are made out of soft leather, but nowadays can be found in many versions to choose from.

Toe Styles

The saying, "it's all about details" fit in perfectly here! While making a choice regarding the dress shoe, every small detail matters, and here the important one is the toe style. Abide by one golden rule while buying a dress shoe: toe of the shoes should be rounded and never squared or pointy. Few tiptoes of the shoes that you can always buy are Plain Toe, Cap Toe, Split/Apron Toe, Medallion and Wingtip.