3 Most Common Dress Shoes: A must in a man’s closet

A wise man once said ‘The shoe makes the man’. Living by this adage your shoes truly reflect your personal style and taste while giving a finishing to your wardrobe. Thus, having few signature pair of dress shoes is an absolute essential of every man’s footwear collection. So here is a quick guide on three most common dress shoe styles that every man needs in his closet.

1. Loafers-Loafers are slip-on shoes, they look super stylish and are easier to worn. This type of shoe comes in large variety including tassels, buckles, so if you want to support semi-formal look in office then these shoes make an ideal choice. These shoes due to their comfort and appeal are also a common choice for casual outings. You can find these shoes in varied fabric and color, so pick dressier loafers when heading for work and meetings while colorful ones with casual fabric makes a great choice for casual occasions.
   
   
   
    Tip: Consider pairing an ankle length pants with a pair of loafers to get a sharp look.
   
   
2. Derby-This derby shoe type traditionally falls under formal shoe with lace-up closure. The characteristic feature of this shoe style is, it is designed with an open lace system. This feature of ‘open lacing’ allows the shoe to open much wider thus giving more comfort and ease to the wearer. These shoes are considered less formal than dress shoes and are often regarded as business casuals. You can find wide variety of derby shoes in different styles ranging from brogue, non-brogue, to wing tipped and cap-toed.

Tip: Pair derby shoes with smart casuals such as jeans, casual coats, chino trousers while fora semi-formal approach you can pick derby with suede finish.

      3. Oxford- If you are looking for a classic staple then a pair of oxford shoes is a must in your closet.    This shoe type is considered most versatile and is known for their refined and elegant feel. The characteristic feature of this shoe is ‘closed lacing’ differentiating them from the derby shoes. Oxford shoes can be easily found in many colors and embellishments and makea popular option for everyday use. Their minimalistic and timeless appeal makes them go well with almost any formal attire. 

Tip: Classic black pair or a dark brown one makes an ideal choice for everyday wear.

Winter shoes for men – Stylish Boots and Brogues

Stocking your closet with winter is one of the joys of saying farewell to the sizzling summer months. We know warm layered looks are already locked and loaded in your style. You’ll eventually come in contact with snow, ice and slush, so here are a few men’s winter shoes and boots that’ll keep you looking dapper when you do.

Winter Shoes, What to Remember While Choosing Right Ones?

Here are some quick tips on to buy a perfect pair of winter shoes:

Socks & Warmth

You don't need thick socks to keep your feet warm, preferably just go for thin wool socks, else, you can find boots that have an inner wool lining. You should always buy new socks before winter and don't forget your sock style. Go for contrasting colors that enhance your shoe or boot.

Sort out your shoe wardrobe

It's time to organize your winter shoes now, so decide what to keep and what to ditch. If they look worn out then get rid of them. If there is your favorite brand that suits your style then buy a new pair.

Quick suggestion: Be brave and get your feet into some new designs, this will help you to decide what color and styles you need to go for. Hang a mirror on a wall make you see an overlook before you set out the door.

Shoes and Boots –leather is a good choice

Shoes always speak about your personality so don't opt for those shoes that look cheap and nasty. Prefer leather boots as it is a powerful fabric when it comes to your feet. Always go for comfort, style, and quality leather labels. When it comes to leather shoe maintenance, you can take care of them by using quality shoes polish - they can last a lifetime.

Basic Boots:

You should always have at least one pair of classic high and low leather boots. You can't go wrong with burgundy, brown or black. Quick suggestion: If you have short legs don't tuck in your jeans it looks wrong. Tuck in look is for men with long legs.

Brogues A must have:

Brogues are a must for winters. They look cool and amazing with everything and can be worn from autumn to spring. You can combine Brogues shoes with anything you wear. Learn the concept of sock brogue i.e. contrasting socks is essential. Make sure you polish your leather brogues and make them look in tip top condition.

So, go and get yourself the perfect pair of winter boots and make it stylish.

Exude Charm & Class by wearing LOAFERS

Loafer style was introduced in London by Wildsmith Shoes known as the Wildsmith Loafer. They began as casual shoes, however, have exaggerated in quality for the purpose of being worn in America with town lounge suits.

Loafers are also called slip-ons which are designed for casual or semi-formal events. Despite their origins loafers have created their way into the trendy gentleman's business apparel.

Selecting a slip-on

Loafers, are primarily made from leather and suede with brown and black being the foremost in style and colors. Rather than completely different styles they feature tassels and straps. Tassels and a dark leather pair can be worn with suits in less formal business environments. Casually, they can be worn sockless with shorts throughout the summer or with jeans within the fall and spring. The penny loafer features a strap across the front and was once a famous style. Today, you will find fewer men flaunting them, however, they'll be charming if added with a casual outfit.

Types of Loafers

• The Penny Loafers: This is a classic casual loafer for men, primarily based off the initial Bass Weejun style. They’re an excellent match for jeans, cords, or simply concerning the other casual garment. The signature style details are the rounded moc toe, the “beefroll” bindings on the sides of the vamp, and the diamond-shaped slit that has been called an artless place to store actual pennies. Either way, the name penny loafer came to be applied to this style of clothing and has since stuck.

• The Tassel Loafers: These loafers are manufactured from stiff oxblood leather and are glorious for their durability and versatility. For this reason, they're an excellent loafer to look for in vintage and thrift shops.

• The Driving Shoe: These slip-ons are specifically designed for driving, not walking. They're typically softly constructed from a leather or suede, which can be worn comfortably without socks.

• The Formal Pump: This slip-on or slipper is dark, understated product made of shiny leather, and has a low vamp. Specifically, these should be kept shined and reserved for formal occasions.

• The Boat Shoe: Boat shoes are also known as deck shoes. They are generally made of canvas or leather with non-marking rubber soles designed to be used on a ship/boat.

• The Espadrille: Espadrilles or alpargatas is usually casual, flat, however, typically high-heeled shoes originating in the Pyrenees. They usually have a sole of canvas or cotton fabric and a versatile sole made of jute rope. 
  
  Style Quotient
  
  
• If, your style is more traditional then avoid pairing loafers with your business suit.
• If you are willing to experiment, then a pair of brown tassel loafers and a navy suit is a good start.
• Loafers are primarily worn in the summer as a way of dressing up an outfit
• Your belt buckle should match the buckle on your loafers.
• To business, stick with leather loafers and for casual wear suede slip-ons.
• Jeans and suede loafers are a fine combination for evenings in the city.
• Combining a navy blazer, khakis and penny loafers are a timeless look.
• When wearing loafers casually opt for matching wool or knit socks rather than skinny dress socks.

Loafers have been an indispensable part of the stylish wardrobe. This versatility, ensure that loafer will remain an icon of style for many coming decades.

5 Must have Winter Accessories for Men

A discomforting chill is hitting everyone announcing that winters are here. So, it is time to dust off your winter wardrobe to have a warm & protected ensemble.

Here are 5 must have winter accessories for men to save themselves from the winter chill that too in style.

1. Scarf- Scarf is not only a fashionable winter accessory rather a must have for your winter wardrobe. It adds another layer to your winter ensemble and keeps your neck warm without letting you compromise on the style quotient. You can pair the scarf over a slim knit sweater for a casual look or pair it in with formal suits or heavy winter coats in contrasting color for a classy & sophisticated look. You can find an overwhelming variety in scarves from patterned to pure cashmere ones, from black, burgundy, charcoal colors to jazzy ones.
2. Gloves- Gloves make an essential winter accessory and are perfect for saving your hands from winter chill. When option for gloves two common options are leather gloves and wool gloves. Leather & suede gloves make a good option if you are working in office. You can also opt for touch screen friendly gloves if you want to easily wiggle your fingers over Smartphone or tablets. Add a pop of color to your winter ensemble by opting for gloves in vibrant colors.
3. Caps & Beanies- A simple fleece cap or a beanie cap can keep your head warm while saving you from the cold winter breezes that too in style. Caps come in many styles, shapes and sizes pick the one that compliments your overall personality. If you are a fashion forward man you can also go for fashion hats including fedora & beret to name a few.
4. Boot Up- When winter hits you hard you need a pair of nice boots to keep your feet warm. An ankle length boot is required to stomp through the snow or rains and makes an ideal option for the winters. You can also opt for winter dress boots though it comes with a heavy price tag but surely keeps your feet warm that too in style. Whichever style of boots you buy, go for one with inner insulation (warm padding) and preferably with water proofing.
5. Sunglasses-Sunglasses yes you heard me right. As per the fact you are exposed to twice as many UV rays in the winter as you are in the summer. A good sunglasses with UV protection is a must have to save your eyes against snow blindness and reflection of harmful rays.

How to chose the right beard as per your Face Shape

Beards are a huge trend amongst many guys and they are getting better as time goes on. Not all facial hair is created equal; every style has its own distinct personality and way of styling them.

Here is the guide and list of facial hair styles to suit different shapes and types:

The round face – When it comes to shaping a beard for the round face, it is recommended to let the hair at the chin grow a little. The longer the beard, the face will look less round. Else you can also keep the sides of the beard short and shying away from those bushy sideburns.

The diamond/pear shaped – For this face shape, we would say, “let the full beard grow”! A full beard softens the facial features and minimises an overly prominent chin.

The square face – for square- faced, we would recommend a style that make their bonce look slimmer and less box-like. Let hair at the chin grow and keep the hair shorter at the sides, growing long hair at the chin adds length to the face thus making it less square.

The long face – when shaping a beard for the long face, prefer growing beard that is fuller at the sides and shorter at the chin to make the face appear less long by adding width.

The small face - When styling for a smaller face, prefer to keep a larger and fuller beard because it can make the face appear lost in the hair and out of proportion. So a small and simple beard is highly recommended.

The oval face - Men with an oval face are lucky! Anything goes with this shape, but the only thing you need to take into consideration is to make sure you choose a style you want to enhance or minimize – nose, ears, thin lips, a hairline and so on. If your eyes and nose are prominent, stick with hair and beards that are longer and fuller. If you have a small nose and ears then you can go for short length as you want. Still if you're in doubt about the look, then you can consult a professional stylist.

So, now you can style beard according to your face shape and flaunt it the way you want.

5 Ways To Revive Your Worn Out Shoes

Comfortable and trendy shoes cost a lot, therefore, maintaining them is very important. But with all the running around that we do, our shoes cannot escape a tear or a scuff. However, you don't need to worry now, as you can fix your injured shoe with the help of these simple tricks:

1: Shoes too tight for your fit?

Many times we love a pair of shoes but unfortunately they are not available in our size or sometimes a shoe becomes little small for our feet. Whats the remedy? The solution is simple. Wear three pair of socks and put on your tight shoes over it, now blow dry for few minutes and you'll be surprised with the results. Your shoes will fit you perfectly.

 

2: Cure to rashes:

Sometimes, we wish we could magically stretch our shoes, so that they don't rub against our skin and give us painful rashes. This problem can be handled with the help of some ice cubes. Place a zip lock bag of ice cubes inside the shoes and freeze them for 12 hours. 

3: Say bye to stains:

Shoes can stain easily, but they can also be cleaned easily.

For dirt stains, place shampoo on a toothbrush and scrub the dirt stain. Use a wet sponge to wipe away the shampoo remains.

For grass stains, make a mix solution with dish soap and water. Dip toothbrush in the solution and scrub the stain away. If any stain remains , then you can also use nail polish remover to say good bye to the stains.

For grease stains, use nail polish remover. Dip a cotton ball in the remover and rub the stain until it is removed. It can also be used to remove any grass stains.

For general stains, oxygen bleach can be used to remove stains from canvas shoes. Apply oxygen bleach on a toothbrush and scrub the stain until it is removed.

4: Remove odor from shoes:

Nothing can be more turning off than smelly shoes. To get rid of this smell, put fresh tea bags inside your shoes or you can stuff the shoes with newspaper. Do this at night and next morning you will find stink free shoes.

5: Dealing with scuff:

To remove scuff, you need a cotton swab and some petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Apply the affected area with jelly with the help of cotton swab and say good bye to all the scuff marks. 

  

Now, you can stop worrying about your shoes.