If you take a look at your closet, clothing probably accounts for a significant portion of its space, but how much real estate are you dedicating to footwear? When you were a child, you probably only had a few pairs of sneakers, but today’s gentleman needs a wide range of shoes to fit every possible social situation. The sky is the limit for those with unlimited financial and spatial resources, but what if you only have so much space and money when ordering mens shoes online? Here are five pieces of footwear every man needs to have in his closet.
1. Black Oxford Dress Shoes
No matter if you’re wearing a suit for a day at the office or you’re attending a black-tie party, a decent pair of black dress shoes can take you a long way. Since you’re limiting your footwear collection to five pairs, it’s best to pick a color and style that fits several different dressy occasions. Stay away from more detailed models that won’t look good with a tuxedo. While brown is also a popular color for Oxfords, it limits the number of coordinating outfits.
2. Sneakers
Just because you’re a gentleman, it doesn’t mean you don’t like to work up a sweat, which is why a good pair of sneakers is essential for any collection. While good asics gel lyte or Nike shoes for men may cost more than a discount pair at a big box store, you’re getting the reputation for quality that comes with every pair of these name-brand pieces of footwear. Just make sure you keep a deodorizing ball in the toe box whenever you aren’t wearing them to avoid imparting funky odors on the rest of your wardrobe.
3. Penny Loafers
There are times when you want to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, but sneakers just aren’t appropriate. Penny loafers are perfect for this occasion because they slip on and off with minimal effort while still providing a touch of class. While these shoes may have fallen out of favor in the past, they’re back in a big way with today’s gentlemen.
4. Dress Boots
Unless you live in a part of the country where inclement weather never occurs, you’ll want to have a pair of dressy boots to help you brave the elements. You’ll find this footwear in both leather and suede varieties, but stick with the leathery designs to maximize flexibility.
5. Work Boots
Mother Nature doesn’t care about your outdoor plans when she cranks up her fury, which is why every man needs a rugged pair of work boots. No matter if you’re doing work out in the yard or hitting the trail on a camping trip, you wouldn’t want to brave the mud in a pair of dress boots.
Stock Your Closet Properly
Now you know the basic pieces of footwear any gentleman should own, your next step should be to find a quality retailer that offers a full lineup of products and accessories. When outfitting your closet with limited resources, get the most out of your investment by keeping a few characteristics in mind:
- Flexibility
- Quality
- Neutral colors
- Comfort
