Matching the right shoes with the right apparel can get a little too tricky sometimes, which is why it's inevitable for men to make shoe styling mistakes.
And since in the modern world so many important things depend on it (i.e., how to make the right impression to get the right job; how to get the right impression from your potential partner), you find yourself pressured by all the options available.
It can be overwhelming to think of styling your next outfit. But fear not, this article will be your guide about common mistakes that modern gentlemen should avoid when styling their shoes.
1. Mismatching Colors Between Shoes and Belts
When you make such a mismatch it's unavoidable to notice. The color of the belt has to be the exact same color as the shoe. (Or at least people shouldn't be able to see they're not.)
To avoid this, you can simply buy a set: a black set or a brown set. Just remember, the shoe has to be a total match with the belt.
Some people might think that it's fine if the colors are close and as long as you're not putting contrasting colors together like black and white, for example, thinking that it's going to be ok.
But no, you can’t match unidentical colors of belts and shoes together. So, you can't match black with brown even if they look slightly close to each other. Belts and shoes should match.
Brown shoes call for brown belts just as black shoes call for black belts. Mismatched belts and shoes present a disconnected and unprofessional appearance.
It's not necessary for other leather products, such as briefcases or gloves. Matching briefcases, gloves, belts, and shoes, in particular, give off a rigid, too planned impression. After all, style should imply a certain level of indifference.
2. Wearing Oversized Shoes
Dress shoes, loafers, and sneakers, you just shouldn't wear oversized shoes at any cost. Not just for the style, but because, trust me, if your shoes don't fit, we can see that from your posture walking in them or from how big they seem compared to your body type and feature.
Oversized shoes also can cause the upper back of your heel to blister and have several injuries. They can also affect your body posture since you'll be constantly trying to adjust to them. Buying the wrong shoe size in the first place is another fatal mistake for your style and body.
That's why your shoes have to be made by expert hands—ones like ADORSI's that know the smallest details about your feet and create the perfect match for them, made especially for you and only you.
3. Mismatching Shoe and Suit Colors
Well, I agree with you. Yes, this one might be a little tricky.
Knowing what colors match which suits depends on so many things such as the suit type, for example. Is it a casual, formal, or special occasion suit?
The answer here changes depending on several possibilities besides your suit color: your body type, color, height, and other features that make you a good candidate for some specific colors rather than other colors.
So, let's take a look at several suit types and the colors matching them.
3.1. Business Suit Look
You can have several looks and colors, but the one that sounds more suitable for formal and classic fashion trends is navy blue.
A navy blue suit with a white shirt is something you might want to go for if you want to give a formal-looking and serious impression, navy blue might be able to help with that.
For shoes that match that color, many people make the mistake of going for light gray or light brown shoes. Navy blue suits only should match black or navy blue or cognac shoe color.
If you want the look to be a little bit less formal go for dark brown, black or deep red shoes. These colors lighten up the look a little and make it look more casual. And as you can see, the color of the shoes isn't something secondary. The shoe color can change the whole impression of your look.
3.2. Summer Business Look
Summer looks in general tend to have a light color palette all over them. So, if the suit is in baby blue, or in any light color, a little bit of contrast might be good. Black or navy blue shoes are the best for this one.
Avoid going for light colors and matching them with dark suit colors. Remember the first rule, matching your shoes and suit colors is one of the best styling practices you can go for.
3.3. Smart Casual Suits
A black suit with a v-shaped vest and a white dress shirt is the typical smart casual look. For that one goes the deep brown shoes and black shoes.
Try to avoid styling mistakes such as going for white or light red brownish shoes.
4. Wearing White Socks with Black Dress Shoes
This is the fourth fatal intolerable mistake for styling. You actually might be able to remember when was the last time you saw someone wearing white socks on black shoes and how that looked weird and unmatched. This is exactly how you're going to look if you do the same thing.
Other people's eyes will be able to spot the strangeness of the look. It's not about looking stylish anymore, this one is about looking like a sensible gentleman with good taste. The look of white socks over black shoes just might not be what you want to go for if you like to make the right match.
5. Wearing Solid Black Socks with Brown Shoes
Dark tones and colors are no different from the same rule. Looking for the right color for the shoes is mostly about the identical tone. So, black shoes mean black socks as well as a black belt.
It gives the outfit a sense of elegance you would like to express by matching the colors of the socks and shoes.
6. Wearing Scuffed Shoes
Another fatal mistake is wearing scuffed shoes, whatever kind of shoes you wear, even boat shoes you have to be sure that they're not scuffed or scratched in any way.
Of course, that is affected by several factors like the leather type you're wearing and the kind of places you go wearing these shoes. Scuffed shoes are such a put-off for the whole outfit, which is something you probably want to avoid.
7. The Leather Type
Choosing the wrong leather type can greatly affect how the shoes look on you.Modern Fashion and Shoe Styling Importance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are square-toed shoes bad?
It depends on who you're asking, in the men's fashion design niche, some people find them good-looking and more comfortable and others find them old-fashioned and a mismatch to certain styles.
Though, they might be really more comfortable than other shoes as a matter of fact, as they give more room for your toes, and about the looking. They're not old-fashioned many international designers still design them today.
2. Should I let others dress me?
You can use a friend's help and listen to an expert's opinion of course, but still will be things that only you are aware of, things about your body type, what styles exactly fit you the most, and what don't even if they're trendy and stylish.
Several people don't look their best in casual, however, they're charming in classic and vice versa.
So, the answer is no. Just stay tuned to the latest fashion trends, but only follow what suits you. And no matter the style you're looking for, costumed shoes will handcraft the style and the size you're looking for.
