Men's Dress Shoes

Basic Styles of Mens Dress Shoes

Learn what to look for in men's dress shoes and how to choose the right dress shoe style for your next formal event.

Oxfords:
Oxfords are leather shoes with a relatively low instep, closed lacing and a non-rubber sole. Modern oxfords, however, may be constructed from suede or synthetic materials, but no matter the material used to construct them, oxfords are usually quite simple with few (if any) embellishments. Like most men's dress shoes, oxfords traditionally come in black, cordovan, brown, burgundy, oxblood, chestnut, and occasionally, white. Oxfords are good all-around dress shoes that are appropriate for numerous occasions. For the office, basic, unadorned black oxfords will do the trick. Semiformal or contemporary stylish events call for oxfords as well; though you can vary the color on these occasions, choose dress shoes in shades like cognac for a sophisticated but still down-to-earth look. For formal affairs, revert to black oxfords made of highly polished, shiny leather.



Monk strap shoes:
This style of men's shoe refers to dress shoes that are similar to loafers in that they don?t have laces. While loafers are typically plain or tasseled, monk strap shoes have a metallic buckle and a leather strap on the upper portion of the shoe; a feature that also distinguishes them from cap toes, where the leather strap is located above the toe portion of the shoe.



Men's Loafers:
Traditionally made from leather, loafers are slip-on shoes that resemble a moccasin on top, but have a wide and fairly flat heel. Many loafers have tassels. Men's loafers are either worn for dress or worn as a dressy sport shoe, like yachting. The distinguishing feature of all loafers, however, is the lack of any laces or buckles. Penny loafers have a strap across the upper portion of the shoe, which was originally designed to hold a lucky penny.



Cap toes:
Cap toes are essentially decorated oxfords. Men's dress shoes can be embellished in a number of ways, but a cap toe on oxfords is by far the most common. Oxfords are usually quite plain with no decorative features on the top portion of the shoe above the toe. In contrast, cap-toe shoes have an additional layer or band of leather over the toe. The extra portion might be a clean and simple line, in which case you will be able to wear them more frequently. However, a very stylish pair of cap toes, should be reserved for special occasions and be paired only with clothes of equal quality. Everything about them is like a traditional oxford, but a large leather band with contrast stitching over the toe gives them that extra edge.



Dress boots:
Dress boots are slim, ankle-length boots with a slight heel that fit the foot and leg quite snugly. The men's dress boot is often highly polished and is frequently embellished with perforations (known as a wing-tip pattern). Dress boots will look fantastic with dressy and casual clothes, such as a great-fitting pair of dark-colored designer jeans, or a pair of dress trousers.


Keep in mind that the price of good-quality men's dress shoes usually begins in the range of around $300, unless you buy at Onlineshoes.com or Overstock.com. Due to their superior quality and the fact that you probably won?t be wearing them every day, these men's dress shoes should last you for many years, so the investment is a reasonable one. When shopping for dress shoes, the most important thing to keep in mind is the quality of the leather. A first-rate pair of men's dress shoes should be made from smooth, soft leather and be narrow and sleek in shape. You'll be ready to step out in style wearing any of the above mentioned dress shoes.