2024’s Must-Have: 5 Shoes for Men to Look Stylish Anywhere

by Harsh Kushwah

Menpsyche’s Unsponsored Guide to Essential Shoes for Men

If you read our articles at menPsyche, you’ll notice something – we are all about finding your unique, individual way to show up in the world.

Our ‘agent-based’ approach to a better life for men extends to most areas of life, including humble footwear.

When someone meets you, they’ll invariably notice your shoes.

Your choice of footwear can say a lot about you. Footwear is one style choice men can make to showcase their personalities and style, which are critical (and often overlooked) components of a guy’s life.

Below are five essential shoe categories (with examples) that every guy can include in his wardrobe to ensure you are ready for every occasion (and showing up as yourself).

1. The CASUAL ALL-ROUNDER SHOE

The casual shoe is the hero of any guy’s wardrobe these days.

From a client meeting to a friend’s party, a casual shoe or trainer can be your go-to style. Casual shoes are an incredibly flexible wardrobe essential. 

You will get endless wear from the right shoe choice. This shoe style goes well with jeans, slacks, shorts, and sometimes formal wear.

You might find you never take them off and end up wearing them outer side splits, no sole grip, toe holes etc. (You’ll know when the day when you have to toss them – your friends and family will let you know).

Casual men’s shoes are the essential shoes for any man with a modern lifestyle.

Here are some examples of men’s casual shoes to consider –

Styles to look out for – Boat shoes, Chelsea boots, Trainers, Chukka, Skateboarding, Loafers

2. The SPORTS SHOE/TRAINER

Any guy who has tried to walk onto the court in a sports stadium will know you need the right sole on the shoe before you can even sign up to play! 

And pounding the pavement on your morning jog with inadequate sports shoes can hurt your body and your bank balance in sports injury treatment. 

Finding the right trainer for the right sport is something many guys are used to doing from a young age.

Even if you are not a sports kinda guy, trainers are the most comfortable and practical choice sometimes (think travel or general errands around town etc.).

Increasingly, people are permitted to wear trainers to work, too. (See the Business Casual Dress Code).

The good news – there is an enormous range of sports shoes available for men.

You can usually find the exact colour match you are looking for, as well as ranges that include sports-hybrid styles that can double as almost semi-formal.

Try and analyse your style before buying. And challenge some of your old choices. For example, do you always pick white trainers? What about trying black, especially if that would better suit the pant selection in your wardrobe?

Expense isn’t always an indicator of ‘the best’ choice either. Fit and comfort are important aspects of footwear.

Match the shoe to the sport or activity first, but always remember your style and taste. 

3. The FORMAL SHOE

Every guy remembers the panic when he has to attend that once-a-year function – what shoes do I wear?? 

But once you figure it out (or borrow from a friend),  many guys I have spoken with at formal events seem to walk a little taller in their formalwear and matching shoes.

Also Read- Is Men’s Classic Formalwear Formally Over?

There’s a James Bond smartness that imbibes you when you don the sleekiest shoes in your closet.

To save yourself the stress on those important occasions, such as weddings and job interviews, permanently hide a pair of quality formal shoes in your wardrobe so you don’t get caught short.

You needn’t break the bank for shoes you only wear a few times.

However, quality material and a good brand may last you longer and make you feel good every time you wear them to an occasion.

Sometimes the better choice for formal shoes can be brown, as it tends to go with more pant colours than black, but all black is very sophisticated.

You can always check what’s in trend each year (suede, strap style, new seasonal colours, patent leather etc.), however, an investment in a classic style (like Oxfords) is a smart choice for most.

Formal shoes will make you feel confident, no matter the occasion.

Popular Styles – Oxfords, Monk Strap, Loafers, Brogues, Dress Boots, Derby

4. The WORK SHOE

I remember my first job. I had no idea about fashion (For years, I’d only had time to involve myself in the not-so-healthy pastime of crazy studying).

My shoes were the last thing on my mind as I thought about my new workplace. Well, I learned they should not have been an afterthought.

I quickly observed the office dress standard and rectified the situation.

And I know I’m not alone. Lots of guys overlook the importance of shoes for first impressions.

The work shoe is the ‘workhorse’ of shoes for many men, as it’s their most worn footwear.

It has to look great but also pass the wearability test for hours.

You might work in an office, or perhaps you work outdoors. Whatever the environment, you need to be able to wear them for long periods and across a range of activities.

Now, your job dictates the standards and styles, so be mindful and always check with your workplace if the dress code is not obvious.

Due to the sheer hours you wear them, a guy’s work shoes are the “best friend” of the shoe world. 

As mentioned, your workplace will dictate the style.

(You may need to return to the formal section of this article if your office is conservative or corporate).

Thanks to the constant evolution of Business Casual attire for men, less formal office shoes are becoming acceptable.

Outdoor jobs, often dictated by safety rules, mean boots and suitable, ‘approved’ footwear may be your only choice.

For those lucky enough to work for themselves or in a creative or informal workplace, trainers and hybrid semi-casual shoes are a perfect choice.

5. The AT-HOME OR STREET SHOES

Some guys get very attached to their at-home shoes. They refuse to throw out those battle-scarred ‘friends.’

It makes sense – they finally mould to your feet after years of wear and never let you down (except when the strap breaks and the sole is gone).

At-home or street shoes are a must-have pair of shoes for men you can pull out and slip on in no time. If you want to save time on clothing as well and achieve the same efficiency for your wardrobe, consider developing a signature style.

This casual shoe category is no fuss, allowing you to quickly and quietly slide out of any room or situation. 

These shoes will also preserve your other shoe collection and prevent you from wearing out your “good” shoes.

If you select the right pair, your home footwear can easily translate into casual street style.

A good shoe choice will see you through a visit to friends or neighbours, trips for takeaway food, or perhaps just around the house. 

These shoes must be easy to wear and weather-appropriate (no flip-flops in the snow).

When looking to buy, it’s casual comfort you seek. You will probably wear your shoes until they fall apart and be sad when they finally retire!

Styles to look out for – Slippers, casual moccasins, boots, sandals, flip-flops, canvas shoes, mules etc.

Men’s Shoe Buying Guide & Shopping Tips

FIT

• Try shoe shopping in the evening (if you suffer from foot swelling throughout the day)
• Consider asking a specialist in-store to assist with the correct size and fit (online can be hit and miss)
• Wear the shoes in-store for at least several minutes to get an idea of the comfort level and identify any sore areas that develop
• Consider the weight and flexibility of the shoe (may differ for different styles)
• Check the cushioning and general materials used for the construction

STYLE

• Try an in-store purchase if you often have difficulty finding a good fit (e.g. if your feet are wide or are outside the ‘regular’ size range).
• Research requirements if you are buying a specialist shoe (e.g. a shoe for a specific sport and playing surface) 
• Create a Pinterest board of shoe styles and how others wear them to prevent wasting money on the wrong choice that will only go with one of your outfits
• Look for durable material ie. leather 
• Choose materials you can easily maintain (some materials take more care, such as canvas or suede).

BUDGET

• If you are on a budget, try to select colours and styles that are versatile and match your wardrobe (e.g. brown can be more versatile than black in some cases).
• Work out a shoe budget for the year. Decide which shoes get the most wear and which ones are most important. If you want to get into the maths – make a spreadsheet and calculate the number of wears per week for each shoe type. You will see which shoes are worth investing in and which types are less important.