3 Boot Styles Every Man Should Own

Lace Up Boots

A good lace up boot is definitely a must-have in your shoe rotation.There’s 3 types of lace up boots that you should consider, based on how you’ll wear them or what look you’re going for:

  • Work or Casual
  • Dress
  • Mixed Materials (we’ll call them Fashion boots)

The Work Boot

A work boot adds a rugged, masculine touch to your casual outfits and typically has a chunkier profile and more rugged sole, which you obviously want for added grip in rain or snow.

The Dragon boot by Taft. Click the picture for details.

Unless you’re going for a specific look, work-style boots shouldn’t be worn with your more dressed-up looks because the profile is more geared toward casual outfits. If you want a more rugged boot that looks more worn in, then highly recommend the above Taft work boots. The overall look of the leather, along with the chunkier rubber sole will compliment your casual layered looks during the Fall and Winter. The darker brown color a my favorite because it can easily be worn with your earthy/fall colors or black outfits as well. Here’s a great way to style the Dragon boot in an outfit:

 

 

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Dress Boot & The Two-For

This type of boot adds a sleek, sexy and sharp touch to your more elevated outfits.

The Rome boot by Taft. Click the image for details.

Notice how the profile is less “bulbous” and the sole a little thinner than the casual boot? That’s one of the ways you can distinguish a dress and casual boot (the type of soles also determines this.)

If you’d like a dress boot that can also work with casual outfits, I recommend getting a boot with tumbled leather, like the image above, which enables it to work in both casual and more elevated, dressy outfits. The texture adds just a hint of casualness to the boot, this is why it is able to work with both situations. The sole can be either leather or a thin rubber profile like a Dianite sole. This specific boot comes in a variety of colors, so choose whatever you prefer, but we’re always going to be partial to black and brown. A simple, classy way to style this boot is like this:

 

 

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The Fashion Boot

If you want a boot with personality, then getting something with mixed materials is perfect.

The Holt Boot in Espresso by Taft. Click image for details.

There’s a ton of “fashion boots” out there that incorporate materials like tweed, suede, and wool in their leather boots. I love these tweed one’s by Taft that Dorian’s wearing in the image below because they’re the perfect balance of style and trendiness without being tacky. Wear these with jeans, wool trousers, chinos and suits whenever you want to inject a bit of flourish into an outfit.

 

Chelsea/Slip-On boots

There’s two designs to your Chelsea boots

  • The classic Chelsea that you’ve come to know and love.
  • The Jodhpur which is recognizable by it’s wrap around strap and buckle detail.

Let’s start with your classic Chelsea design – Suede Chelseas pair well with your casual Fall/Winter looks, as the texture compliments the thicker materialed clothing you’ll be wearing during the chillier months. But opt for leather Chelseas if you want a dressy pair as the leather’s sleekness invokes formality.

As far as Jodhpur’s, the same rules apply as far as suede vs leather. These are great if you want something different than your standard Chelsea boots, but they’re virtually the same in how you style them, so just go for whichever style and materials you like best.

Here’s the links to the 3 boots:

Outback | Hiro | Dylan

 

Here’s a great way to wear these types of boots, there’s also a few other pictures featuring the Outback boot on the Instagram account:

 

 

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Chukka Boots

Consider these as a great casual shoe option when you don’t want to wear sneakers or full lace-up boots.

The Milliken Chukka by Johnston & Murphy

They’re certainly faster to put on than lace up boots, so if ease is what you’re after than consider these. As far as styling goes, chukkas really shine when worn with chino pants and jeans. A medium to dark brown and black are fantastic starter choices and then from their you can experiment with color.

Here’s a great way to style your chukka boots:

 

 

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Best Ways To Wear Jeans With Sneakers/Trainers, Boots, Dress Shoes For Men

There’s many different types of shoes and jeans/denim you can wear but depending on the shoes, your jeans need to be certain colors and fit certain ways in order to look their best, so today we’re going to show you the best ways to wear jeans with High and Low top Sneakers/Trainers, Boots, Chukka Boots, Chelsea Boots, Work Boots, Dress Shoes, Brogues, Monk Straps, Loafers, Penny Loafer and more. 

 

Low-Top Sneakers

Due to the low profile of lowtop sneakers its really hard to mess this up. They’ll work with almost any cut of jeans.

As for denim colors or styles, unless they’re all black sneakers (which we discussed before), you can pretty much wear any color or style you want. The one caveat is that if you’re wearing white sneakers and dark indigo jeans, they can stain the tops of the shoes. So soak the pants in cold water for about 30 minutes to get rid of any excess dye that may rub off on the shoes and then spot clean the shoes, as necessary.

If you want to avoid staining the shoes all together, either get them hemmed or cuff them to not touch the tops of the sneakers. We’ve done a whole article and video about cuffing your jeans here.

Hi-Top Sneakers

If you’re going to buy hi-top shoes and wear them with the hem going past the tops of the shoes, you should just get a lowtop pair of sneakers instead. We’ll assume you are wearing hi tops because you like the look of them and want to show off the whole shoe.

To do this well, either gets your pants hemmed shorter or cut them with scissors for a frayed look to show off the shoes or simply roll them to just below the top of the hi tops. Never more than twice, though, otherwise you’ll have a really thick cuff on the bottom and it will look very heavy and off on your shoes.

Running Shoes/Trainers

There’s two schools of thought here and it depends on how “chunky” the running shoes are. If they’re low-profile and sleek, then stick to a similar cut as low-top sneakers – which means wear any cut of jeans. You can even cuff your pants if you want a sportier look.

If you’re going for the Dad/Ugly sneaker look, then the chunkiness of them dictates you go for a straight leg, more relaxed cut. The more stonewashed, the better!

Dress Boots

These will pair really well with dark-wash or black jeans. Just make sure you’re jeans have a slight to no break to match the sleeker and more polished dress boots. Wearing dress boots and stacked hems is like wearing tuxedo shoes with jogger pants – it just doesn’t look good.

Work Boots

These boots tend to have a chunkier sole and more casual appearance, so definitely play up the workwear version and wear them with dark wash denim or denim that has some fading. And cuffed or uncuffed, you can wear them anyway you want. If you’re going for the super slim fit jean and chunky boot look (Justin Theroux), get them hemmed or roll them up to be shorter and leave no break. If you want a super vintage look, then try a single, oversized cuff and a more relaxed fit.

Desert & Chukka Boots

Wear them with any color and cut of jeans you prefer and they tend to look best with a slight or no break, depending on the look you’re going for. You can achieve this by cuffing your jeans or getting them hemmed.

Chelsea Boots

As we talked about in a separate video, Chelsea Boots are not for everyone- if you’re a bigger guy, stick to work boots unless you want to look like Humpty Dumpty with little tiny legs. Chelseas need to be paired with slim jeans to look their best. The color and material of the boots will determine what you should pair them with.

If you’re wearing black leather or suede chelseas, they’ll look best paired with black or gray skinny jeans. Anything outside of this will be much harder to pull off.

For brown or tan suede Chelseas, especially with a gum sole, go with a lighter blue or gray denim, which can also have some distressing.

If you’re going with brown (not tan) leather Chelseas, a dark wash denim will look best since browns and dark denim are a match made in heaven.

Debries & Brogues, Oxfords, Wingtips, Monkstraps (Dress Shoes)

Derbies, like Doc Martins, feature a chunkier profile, so they’re better suited for casual outfits that include denim. Black looks great with black or dark wash denim, while brown looks great with dark washed, stonewashed or even distressed lighter denim. If you want those late 80’s or early 90’s vibes, pinroll your jeans and wear them with white socks (I know we’ve talked about our hate of white socks before, and that still holds true 99.9% of the time. This is literally the .1% of times it will look good due to the specific, era-related look you’re going for.

For Brogues, as a general rule, the sleek, minimally detailed brogues will skew more formal while chunky, hole-punched ones will skew more casual. The color of the shoes affects which jeans your brogues will or won’t work with, going from black at the formal end and getting gradually lighter towards the casual end will work best. Casual tan brogues pair well with indigo or lighter denim while other colors like oxblood and black will look good with black denim. As for cut, they’ll work for any cut of denim you wear, regardless of the length of jeans you wear.

You can pull off Oxfords with black or indigo jeans, as long as they’re slim, and either cuffed or hemmed with no break so they’ll feel a little more casual, but still sleek and polished.

Loafers & Penny Loafers

The penny loafers’ low vamp (that’s the section of upper that covers the front of the foot) combined with a wide leg opening can make your feet look weirdly stubby. So opt for jeans that are tapered and cropped or pin-rolled. As for colors, we love a medium brown pair that goes well with dark wash indigo but can also be paired with any lighter colors up to white denim. Black penny loafers will look great with gray or indigo denim.

Top 10 Men’s Essentials For Spring 2020

It’s Springtime and you should be transitioning your wardrobe to warmer weather options. In this video, we’ll discuss our must-have men’s Spring essential items you should have in your closet for 2020.

If you’re not following our instagram account, you’re missing out on daily outfit inspiration as well as featuring the items shown in all our articles and videos.

 

Work or Chore Jacket

Of course, we’re always going to love a bomber jacket, especially a suede during this time of year, but if you want to mix it up, a field or chore jacket is the perfect addition for this time of year. It’s not too heavy and can add an interesting element to your wardrobe. They’re supposed to be a little more relaxed fit, so keep that in mind when shopping for one. You can definitely go for a more tailored/trim style, so size down if that’s what you’re wanting instead.
Budget Pick One and Two
Upgraded Pick

White or Blue Sneakers

With the warm weather it’s time to get out the lighter colors and fabrics and this definitely applies to your shoes. So grab your white or blue low top sneakers or slip-ons and start putting them into the casual outfit rotation.
Favorite Slip-On Sneakers
Favorite All-Around Sneaker

Oxford Button Down Shirt

One of the best shirts for Spring, is the Oxford Button Down. It’s the epitome of versatility. It can blend into any setting and as part of almost any dress code – from super casual all the way to business casual and looks equally good tucked, half tucked or untucked. There aren’t many items of clothing you can say that about.

Favorite Blue Oxford
Favorite White Oxford

Sunglasses

Now that the sun is coming out, its time to freshen up your eyewear- specifically your sunglasses. Obviously, you want to make sure your sunglasses fit your face shape and style, but this year the trend is to go for more unique shapes and/or colorful frames or lenses.
Some of our favorites

Polo Shirts

Polo shirts instantly make an outfit look more put together and Spring is the perfect time to bring them out. If you’re a slim to regular build, grab a Pima cotton polo because it looks less like your dad’s golf shirt, but if you’re a bigger fella with a little bit of weight in his torso, then go with a pique cotton polo because it will airbrush your problem areas better than a cotton or silk blended shirt would.
Best Polo Shirts Ever

Fabric or Woven Belt

During Spring or Summer, there’s nothing that looks better than a woven belt. Either in leather or fabric. For a little extra casual flair, get the belt a little longer and let it dangle a bit.
Favorite Woven Belts

Chino Pants

Finally it’s time to have an alternative to those jeans and wool pants you’ve been wearing the last few months. Chinos’ time to shine are Spring and Summer as they are lightweight, breathable, and super comfortable. They also add an easy going stylish touch when paired with a sweatshirt or tee. Recommend colors: tan, green, blue, and grey.
Favorite Chino Pants

Penny Loafers

Now that the weather is warming up, showing a touch of ankle is permissible – if that’s your thing. Either way, a pair of penny loafers in leather or suede add such a cool, upscale touch to any outfit, whether it’s worn with a suit or jeans and a t-shirt. Opt for a high quality pair, as they’ll look great for many, many years – if you take care of them properly. A chocolate brown color is definitely a favorite, as it’ll go with 99% of the colors you’ll be wearing this season. But black looks good, as well.
Budget Pick
Upgrade Picks: Black and Brown

Crewneck Sweater or Sweatshirt

A well-fitting crewneck sweater or sweatshirt looks great paired with chinos and denim and is a great layering piece when the weather is chilly in the mornings and evenings.
Best All-Round Crewnecks
Budget Sweatshirts
Upgrade Sweatshirt

Suede Chukka or Desert Boots

Just like during the fall months, its time to grab a pair of suede desert or chukka boots. They’ll class up an otherwise casual outfit and they look great during this time of year. Just make sure to waterproof them in case its a little wet outside. Preferred colors: light brown, chocolate brown or gray.
Budget Pick
Upgraded Pick

Men’s Shoes (7 Ways To Up Your Shoe Game)

Hopefully, you’ve already got the wardrobe, grooming and other accessories locked down, so now its time to give your shoes some much-needed attention. 

Use shoe trees

They keep your shoes odor and moisture free and also help maintain their shape when you’re not wearing them. They’re a great investment that you’ll use for the next few decades, promise. In a pinch, you can also use the original paper inserts.
Favorites: These, or These

Use a shoe horn

When putting on your shoes, if you’re stomping your foot in, or tearing some of the skin off your fingers while using them as a shoe horn, you’re ruining the backs of your shoes, you fingers, or both. Whether they’re sneakers, dress shoes or boots, there’s nothing worse than the backs of your shoes getting wrinkled and faded because you’re not using a shoe horn.
Favorites: Choice #1, Choice #2

Tie your shoes properly

It may sound trivial, but where you separate the men from the boys is by paying attention to the details like how you tie your shoes. So you should definitely learn how to tie your shoes so the laces lay flat, at least, but frankly, there’s an even better solution in the next point.

Hide the laces

Nothing ruins a great outfit more than long, floppy and/or ill-tied shoelaces. What you really should do is hide them and the best possible way to do this ever is by using these special laces we found a few weeks ago that makes laces that are meant to be hidden. You only have to tie them once and suddenly all your sneakers and dress shoes are now slip ons with amazing looking laces. Seriously, they’re game-changers.

Keep them clean

Give them a quick rub down about once a week with a moist rag, sponge or paper towel, or as they get dirty. Then once a month, do a little deeper cleaning with a proper shoe cleaning kit for about 5 minutes once a month. If you’ve got dress shoes, you can also polish them, but typically, a little cleaning every few days goes a long way.

Get Rid Of The Stink

What some people don’t know is that actual smell is bacteria, and it’s living inside your socks, shoes, and on your feet, so it’s imperative that you kill the pesky bacteria before it turns into a foot infection or worse… There’s a spray that is fantastic and kills bacteria in 10 seconds and has a nice citrus smell. When storing your shoes overnight, pop these in them, as needed.

Buy Multiples

If you have a pair of shoes that you love and fear their eventual demise, the best thing to do is buy multiple pairs of them and swap them out to give them some rest. Coupled with using shoetrees and keeping them clean, your shoes will last significantly longer if you give them breaks between wearing.

Winter Accessories Every Man Should Own | Best Men’s Winter Accessories

Winter can be a tough time for your personal style, plus the weather and elements require special attention for your wardrobe and, more importantly, your accessories. That said, the right winter accessories will bring both function and personality to your wardrobe. It doesn’t all have to be about keeping warm (though that’s definitely important), it’s a great opportunity to add some extra style to whatever you’re wearing. For more basic tips, make sure to check out all of our Winter Essentials and our article on Winter Style Do’s and Don’ts

Here are our picks for the Men’s Winter Accessories That Every Man Should Own!

 

Cashmere / Wool Knit Hat

A must when it’s freezing. Go for a thicker rib knit and try cashmere for a luxurious touch that’s soft, light, and warm. Don’t be afraid to try a pop of color here too!

Hat 1

Hat 2

Budget-Friendly

 

A Patterned Scarf

The perfect time to add some color or pattern into the mix. Just a hint of it peeking out from under a coat is a sharp, stylish look. Cashmere is a great option here too, it’s very light and warm.

Picks:

Scarf 1

Scarf 2

Budget-Friendly

 

Gloves

We’re not talking about thick ski-style gloves, but something lighter but still warm. Look for knit versions in wool or cashmere or lined leather options for a sharp touch (especially if you dress up often).

Gloves 1

Gloves 2

Budget-Friendly

 

Slim Dressy Watch

Add in a thin watch that toes the line between dressy and casual so you can dress it up or down. Layered and formal outfits need a watch that’s not big and bulky. Wearing a big, sporty watch with dressier looks can just throw off the proportions. Luckily our friends at Nove watches have the perfect styles.  Their watches are high-quality, Swiss-made, and come in a variety of slim styles that work well with a range of looks. Plus, we’ve got a special deal for you guys. Use offer code AW20 for 20% off your purchase.

Picks (from the video):

Watch 1

Watch 2

 

Merino Wool Socks

Merino wool has incredible technical properties (warm, lightweight and dries quickly) and there are great options out there that are lightweight, warm, and stylish. 

Our Favorite Merino Wool Socks

Another Pick

 

Thermals

We discussed in our Winter Do’s and Don’ts, and the right pair won’t be bulky or too hot and can easily layer underneath both casual and dressy clothes. We really like our go-to pick below because they are very light, warm, and won’t break the bank.

Thermals Pic

 

Extra-moisturizing skincare products

Nobody likes the look of dull, dry skin and the cold, dry air can be brutal on your hands and face so take extra care to moisturize properly. The right products and a solid morning routine and evening grooming routine will really help keep your skin looking great during the winter.

Picks:

Moisturizer 1 – Get 30% Off With Code Ashley30

Moisturizer 2

Moisturizer 3

Moisturizer 4

 

Leather Lace-Up Boots With A Rubber Sole

Proper boots for the winter are crucial and if you’re dealing with a lot of rain and snow you want to make sure your boots are protected and have a rubber sole for traction and durability. Some of our picks below have a Dainite sole which is the gold standard in terms of protection and grip in wet, snowy conditions.

Picks:

Dress Boots 1

Dress Boots 2

Casual Boots 1

Casual Boots 2

 

Dorian’s Outfit Details

Jeans

Boots (similar)

Glasses

Peacoat

Sweater

Gloves (similar)

Scarf (similar)

Men’s Winter Style Do’s and Don’ts | Men’s Winter Style Tips

Winter can be a tough time for your personal style. Cold weather and the elements can lull you into just giving up, but don’t do it! These few simple tips can keep you looking sharp and feeling great, no matter how cold it gets! For more tips, make sure to check out our Fall/Winter Essentials Series!

Here are our Winter Style Do’s and Don’ts!

Winter Style Do’s

Do Add Some Colorful Jewel-toned Accessories

The right hats, scarves, and gloves are crucial for warmth and style. They’re also a great opportunity to add some color and pattern to brighten up your look. Colors like emerald green, a mustardy yellow, dark purples, reds, and blues are all easy to incorporate into your winter wardrobe and pack a stylish punch of color.

Picks:

Scarf 1

Scarf 2

Scarf 3

Hat 1

Hat 2

Hat 3

Gloves 1

Gloves 2

Gloves 3

 

Do Invest In Quality Outerwear

We talk a lot about where and when to invest, and outside of dress shoes & boots, outerwear is the other major area we really recommend investing in. You get what you pay for and with the right investment, a high-quality coat, peacoat, or jacket will last for years to come, keep you warm, and have you looking stylish.

Picks:

Overcoat

Overcoat 2

Parka

Puffer Parka

Parka 2

Peacoat

Peacoat 2

 

Do Get The Right thermals

There are many great brands offering very thin/lightweight thermals that’ll layer comfortably underneath your clothes and keep you warm. The key is to get a trim fit, that way they’ll lay flat and layer easily under everything from jeans to suits. Our pick below is light, warm and you can wear these as a base layer underneath your clothes or on their own as a long sleeve shirt.

Thermals Pick

 

Winter Style Don’ts

Don’t Neglect Your Skin

You may not think so, but cold-weather skincare is just as important as warm weather skincare. The cold, dry weather can be incredibly harsh on your skin and strip away it’s protection, so it’s super important to cleanse and moisturize properly and stay hydrated. There’s nothing more distracting and unattractive than dry, dull skin.

Luckily, our friends at Geologie have you covered. Geologie puts together a simple routine formulated for daily use. The products are personalized to your skin’s needs and work great for every skin type. We tested out their set that comes with 4 different products:  Everyday Face Wash, Vital Morning Face Cream w/ SPF, Repairing Night Cream & Nourishing Eye Cream. It even includes 2 bottles of face wash, one for your sink and one for your shower or to take with you to the gym. Plus, just for our readers and viewers, you can get 30% off your purchase with code Ashley30! Shop here and enter the code at checkout.

 

Don’t Forget To Layer

We talked about it for Fall, and it’s just as applicable in Winter.  Proper layering can help you regulate your temperature and look stylish no matter how cold it is, making sure you’re comfortable going from the cold outside to warm inside (subway, office, etc.).

 

Don’t Forget To Winterize your boots

Boots are essential footwear for Winter (our go-to picks for this year are right here) and the right pair can look amazing and last a long time. But, you’ve got to prepare them with the right leather treatments to keep them from getting ruined in the inclement weather.

Boot Treatment Kit

3 Men’s Boots You Need Right Now | Best Men’s Boots

It’s boot season! As we talked about in our Fall Shoes video, boots take an important place in your wardrobe and the right ones can have you looking stylish and protected from the elements all the way to Spring! If you’re in a part of the country that deals with a lot of rain, snow, or other inclement weather make sure you take the extra steps to protect your boots with proper weather-proofing and care. Great boots are all about versatility and all of these picks can be worn with multiple types of outfits from casual to dressy.  Here are the 3 men’s boots you need right now!

Click here to Get 20% off you ENTIRE Beckett Simonon purchase with code: AW. Thanks to our friends at Beckett Simonon for sponsoring this video!

 

The Dress Boot

Obviously this one goes best with your smart-casual outfits and Fall/Winter suits. If you don’t really wear many suits and wool trousers, then the next type of boot we’ll talk about is definitely more for you. As for these, there’s need to mess with a classic – it’s sleek and sophisticated, like the Porsche of dress boots. A captoe boot will add a bit of polish to everything and we love how the boot silhouette just adds a different vibe to your outfit. If you want something with a little extra flair, you can go with their version featuring broguing details.

Picks:

Captoe Dress Boot

Brogue Dress Boot

Wingtip Brogue Boot

Outfit Details:

Captoe Dress Boot

Jacket (similar)

Sunglasses

Sweater

T-Shirt

Pants

Watch

 

The Casual Boot

If you’re a man, and you don’t live in a tropical climate, you absolutely need a casual boot. There are many different options but like the dress boot, a super-versatile captoe style is sharp enough to dress up or down. You can also go with a plain-toe version too, but we prefer a captoe as our pick as it adds a more interesting touch. As far as broguing, we can go either way but overall we tend to like a cleaner design for this type of boot. This style of boot is outstanding because it is so versatile, wear it with casual denim looks or dress it up a bit with chinos or wool trousers. The sturdy, casual sole is polished but not too dressy.

Picks:

Black Casual Boot

Dark Brown Casual Boot

Wingtip Brogue Casual Boot

Captoe Brogue Casual Boot

Outfit Details:

Boots

Jacket (similar)

Sunglasses

Sweater

T-Shirt

Pants

Boots

Watch Strap

 

The Chelsea Boot

Super-sleek and stylish, the Chelsea boot should be treated as a dressier shoe. We like pairing black leather or dark brown suede Chelsea boots with slim, tapered black jeans or suiting and wool trousers. Protip: the key is to make sure your pants are tapered so they ever so lightly hug the top your boot. Black and dark brown are the key colors here and we like a suede version to mix up the texture a bit.

 

Picks:

Black Leather Chelsea

Dark Brown Suede Chelsea

Outfit Details:

Boots

Jacket (similar)

Sunglasses

Sweater

T-Shirt

Pants

Top 5 Men’s Shoes & Boots For Fall 2019

Now that Fall is officially here it’s an important time to consider your shoe rotation. Since we’ll probably get asked, no, this doesn’t mean these are the ONLY shoes you should wear during the Fall. Year-round essentials like sneakers and lace-up oxfords will always look stylish no matter what time of year. But, these are some specific style upgrades we’ve chosen to complement your wardrobe for this time of year. Make sure you check out our other shoe suggestions and our Fall Essentials to make sure you’ve got your Fall wardrobe dialed in for maximum style and versatility.

So, with that, here are our picks for the top 5 shoes and boots you need this Fall!

 

 

Lace-Up Boots

Fall is boot season and a sharp pair is an absolute necessity. There are a myriad of styles these days and a wide range of price points but if you’re just getting into the game, stick with the basics:  a sharp, slightly dressy pair of captoe or round toe boots. The right pair is sleek and sexy, pairs easily with your jeans and chinos as well as your heavier suits.

Picks:

Allen Edmonds 1 (from the video)

Allen Edmonds 2

Kenneth Cole

Johnston & Murphy

 

Leather High Tops

Dressy and casual shoes are pretty interchangeable these days, and a nice leather high top can work with a variety of different looks. This isn’t a basketball sneaker, it’s more of a cool hybrid between a boot and a standard leather sneaker so don’t be afraid to dress this one up.

Picks:

Wolverine (from the video)

Common Projects

 

Captoe Brogue Dress Shoes

Assuming you have a solid pair of oxford lace-ups in your rotation, a brogued pair is the next logical step. You can find conservative pairs to wear with suits or more informal pairs to wear with chinos and denim. Don’t forget, it’s important to invest in quality where you can and shoes are one of the best places to invest. We recommend these in either brown or black but black is the most versatile.

Picks:

Allen Edmonds (from the video)

Kenneth Cole

J. Crew

Brooks Brothers

 

Chukka Boots

The dress boot’s slightly more low-key cousin, the chukka silhouette is extremely versatile and looks just as good with a suit as it does with denim and chinos. This style looks great in brown or black leather and also is an excellent style to look for in suede.  We love suede for the fall season because it adds just a bit of texture to your overall look.

Johnston & Murphy Leather (from the video)

Wolf & Sheppard Suede

Allen Edmonds Suede

Allen Edmonds Leather

 

Chelsea Boots

If you don’t already have a Chelsea boot in your rotation, now’s the time.  It’s a great alternative to a dress boot for your heavier suits, wool trousers, and black or dark wash denim.  For Fall we are recommending a black leather or dark brown suede as the choices here.  These picks are great because they will work for you year-round, no matter what you’re wearing. One warning though, if you’re on the bigger/broader side Chelsea boots aren’t a great choice for your body type, so just stick to lace-up boots.

Picks:

Kenneth Cole (from the video)

To Boot (similar to video pick)

Cole Haan

Johnston & Murphy