It’s a fact that one of the first things a woman notices about you is your shoes. So obviously it’s important to make sure your shoe game is on point. We always talk about how important it is to regularly clear out old and out of style items, and shoes are no different. Shoes are a key part of your overall look, and a few wrong choices or out of date items can easily ruin an otherwise great look.
Here are Ashley’s picks for 5 Men’s Shoe Styles That Women Hate!
5 Shoe Styles Women Hate
Square toed dress shoes Out of date and out of style, get rid of them right now. Get yourself a proper pair of dress shoes instead.
4. White loafers or loafers with contrasting stitching Your loafers should always have same-color stitching and white loafers are another out of date style nobody should wear. Try our Loafer Guide for better options.
3. Chunky basketball/gym sneakers The gym or basketball court is fine but outside of that, these shouldn’t be worn with casual clothing. White sneakers or dress sneakers are a much better look.
2. Rubber flip flops Unless you’re at the beach or pool these aren’t a good look.
1.Slides Keep them to the bathroom or inside the house, nobody should see these!
When you’re talking about versatile, stylish footwear, there are few styles I like better than loafers. I love that they can be dressed up or dressed down, and work for pretty much every season. There are many varieties out there these days, from simple to complicated, but I’d like to focus on three primary types that deserve a place in your closet, plus a few that maybe don’t. Get ready, it’s loafer season for a reason.
Penny Loafers
A classic style that has stood the test of time, penny loafers are perhaps my favorite out of all the loafers. I love how versatile penny loafers are, they can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down with everything from jeans and a buttondown to chinos and a polo shirt. Brown and black are the two ideal colors here. For a secondary choice, a classic burgundy or oxblood color is an excellent option.
Originally designed for, you guessed it, driving, I love this style because they’re super comfortable and work well in a variety of casual situations. They come in a few variations but I prefer the versions with a nubbed rubber sole or a full rubber sole for the look and comfort. For colors, the basics like brown and tan are great of course, but I also recommend versions in grey or navy for a pop of color.
Another shoe that evolved from function – the no-slip rubber sole and lightweight design worked well on boats – boat shoes have become a classic warm-weather staple. I like them best with chinos and shorts for a relaxed alternative to sneakers. On the color front, go with blue, brown and grey for maximum wearability.
There are a few other loafer styles out there but I don’t generally recommend them because they can lean too specific in their look and style.
Tassel Loafers
This dandy look is popular with a lot of style bloggers out there, and while I don’t hate them, I just don’t think they’re ideal for most men from a style standpoint. Just like your clothes, your shoes should be streamlined, and while the tassels can give them somewhat of a “distinguished” look, I find them to be distracting, like an untucked pair of shoelaces.
Horsebit Loafers
Another type with a dandyish vibe that has become popular again (you may know them as Gucci’s iconic loafer), I am not a fan of them at all. They immediately age you up (and not in a good way), and I always expect a lawyer or Wall Street guy who is trying way, way too hard to wear these.
Venetian Loafers or Smoking Loafers
Both of these have a similar, streamlined shape and a formal look. Venetian loafers are unadorned and usually in leather while smoking loafers are typically velvet and have embroidery or embellishments on top of the shoe. I always view these as super formal, and that’s why I really only recommend wearing the patent leather or velvet versions with a tuxedo if you want to add some flair. I don’t recommend more casual versions in regular leather because it’s a style that’s quite outdated and doesn’t have the versatility I like.
