Put Your Best Foot Forward!
Hi there!
Today we'll be talking shoes. Brown ones, specifically. American men seem to be somehow enslaved to the black shoe, taking something that God created for weddings, funerals, and court appearances and allowing it to envelope everyday life. It's not enough that we're already all too quick to give up our individuality to embrace conformity in these tough times, when being a by-the-book little soldier is the surest way to
keep a precious job as unemployment rates climb; now we allow our footwear to furthur drain our creative nature as well!
Black is... well... black. Always has been. Always will be. Brown can be chocolate, chili, mocha, almond, cognac, whiskey, cocoa, cafe, espresso, mahogany, rosewood, tan, caramel... I know I've omitted plenty but included enough to make my point. Brown shoes can be as important a part of your outfit as your tie or your pocketsquare! They go with any color suit (except for black), and have as many hues as the air has aromas. Black shoes are an anchor. A safe bet. Unimaginative. Boring.
In Italy, where style oozes from the pores of nearly every man woman and child, black shoes are a wedding and funeral accessory. Well dressed men are almost always shod in brown shoes. Let's break away from the matrix for a while and pop a little bit!
For those just getting started, start with a chocolate brown and work your way to lighter shades. Pair the shoes with a grey suit to start (until your comfort level allows you to adopt other colors), keeping the color pallette neutral. I understand that it can be hard to break the black shoe habit. Start small, but by all means, give it a try (Just make sure to match your belt to those shoes)!
(pictured: Allen Edmonds "Sanford," in Cognac)
Cheers!
Paul
Labels:
brown shoes,
individuality,
shoes
4 comments:
Mmm, I love brown shoes! Too true, the businessman always has his severe black shoes on. Don't get me wrong, a black shoe can be very sophisticated, but brown seems so...European. And different. And a bit more rugged, like a travelling type of shoe.
Love it!
I have several pair of black that I wear to appropriate evening cocktail parties and such... brown just livens up a suit so much more and gives an outfit personality and acceptable flair. Thank you for your thoughts!
Paul - thanks for saying what i've wanted to say for a long time. i've forwarded your comments to my boss who insists on wearing nothing but black. brown shoes needn't be rugged either. depends on the style, stitching, and sole. i doubt you'll give off a "rugged" vibe with a leather sole and balmoral vamp. thanks again. best regards - jim
Thanks, Jim!
I think another one (and I'll post a feature this week) that is great to have in the shoe arsenal is a dark brown suede wingtip. It can go with pretty much anything, in any season.
Post a Comment