Shopping for men’s shoes

Let’s face it, shopping for shoes is a woman’s turf. It’s a no brainer for us, we practically breathe for shoes, and more shoes! Okay, you might say I’m exaggerating so I’ll just speak for myself. I really love shoes! Why do you think I like Imelda Marcos so much?

Of course there are few good men who have extensive wardrobes of men's shoes and who could match me pair for pair, just like my friend Shawn Umsted. But there are a lot of guys out there who needs help when it comes to shoe shopping. Here are a few pointers to help men decide which type of shoes to buy to match their outfit for every occasion.

Men can wear almost any color or style of shoe with jeans, but avoid very shiny shoes that were obviously intended for dressier outfits. Boots, lug soles, sneakers, loafers and sandals all work great with jeans, so you may find it helpful to let the style of your shirt guide you. A sporty polo shirt will look great with a pair of loafer; t-shirts go well with sneakers; long sleeved artsy button-downs work well with sandals.

For casual pants like chinos and khakis, there are a variety of loafers, oxford and other men's shoes that work well with casual pants. Let the ornamentation and style of the shoe guide you towards the look you're trying to achieve. For example, a tassel or a buckle is a little more on the dressy side, while a woven pattern or heavy stitching is a little more on the casual side.

With dress pants, shoot for the same type of shoe that you might wear with a suit. Shinier materials usually indicate a dressier shoe, as do less bulky heels and soles. Choose a shoe that is the same color or darker than your pants. To give you an idea, black shoes work well with navy, grey or black pants. Brown shoes are best suited to tan, brown, beige, greens, other darker earth tones. Burgundy shoes work well with khaki, lighter browns, blue and grey. Tan shoes look great with lighter earth tones, blue, beige, lighter tan or white.

Although it is a safe bet, socks do not need to match your shoes. Instead, think of your socks as you would a tie - an item that can bring the whole outfit together. Also remember that if you are wearing a belt, you should match your shoes to it.