Men's Shoe Styles

Men's shoes have recently begun drawing more of the limelight in fashion circles. Often overlooked, designers are paying more attention to male footwear than ever before. So, what better time to look at some of the classic men's styles.

Oxford
Arguably the benchmark for classic formal men's shoes, the Oxford is characterised by the stitching of the eyelet tabs for the laces beneath the leather of the upper (this is in contrast to Derbys, where the tabs are on top). Brogued or not, Oxfords have increasingly been worn as casual shoes, but they are best worn with a suit or, at least, smart trousers.

Monk Straps
A little less formal than the Oxford brogue is the monk strap shoe. Lace-less, with a buckle and strap over the tongue providing the means of fastening, these shoes are popular in both leather and suede. Like the Oxford they can be brogued but are more commonly smooth. They come with either one or two buckles and in black or brown leather.

Loafers
A slip-on dress shoe has long been de rigeur as a formal option. However, loafers have developed to be a viable casual option for men as well. The current trend for smart dress shoe loafers is a squarer toe and a wedge heel. With a continuing trend among summer design collection for rolled-up trouser legs, the deck shoe is a great casual alternative; wear without socks.

Desert boot
A somewhat divisive mode of footwear, the desert boot has slipped in and out of fashion. Styled after the military footwear worn by soldiers fighting in South Africa during the Second World War, they are made from suede with a crepe sole and typically feature two pairs of lace eyelets. Popular in the 1940s and 50s, they have made repeated returns to prominence, notably in the mid 1990s and the mid-noughties. Go for classic tan or black rather than more recent brighter colours.

Converse
Sports shoes are a trend that has become more prominent over the last year or so, and a pair of classic trainers should be part of every man's wardrobe. You can't go wrong with a pair of Converse trainers. Converse All Stars, colloquially known as Chucks after a basketball star in the 1920s popularised them, are canvas sneakers that come in a variety of colours with contrasting trim. They were popular in the 1970s among New York's burgeoning rap and punk scenes and made a renaissance in the early noughties due to a new wave of New York bands that came to worldwide prominence sporting them. They come as Converse boots, with a high-top, or as shoes.

Chelsea boots
An ankle boot characterised by an elasticated side panel, chelsea boots provide a neat option for both formal and casual occasions. Round or pointed toes and a variety of heel types make for a range of options. Chelsea boots have mutated into variations such as the winkle-picker, with extended pointed toes, but stick to the classic form for an all-round boot.