Many may remember many years ago, the commercial with Spike Lee and MJ and Spike yelling it's the Shoes! Well he wasn't just selling shoes, he was actually echoing something Classic Men have known for years, the shoes matter! Yes it's the shoes! Have you ever noticed a man dressed up and then as you survey the "landscape" you get down to his shoes and oh! The horror! They are dirty, dusted and busted? They are leaning, and are in dire of a shine or replacement? Well what this man has forgotten is that your shoes can tell a lot about you and your grooming habits. Here is an interesting article I came across from Bloomberg Businessweek (www.businessweek.com):
"There are at least two fast ways to judge a man: by his books and by his shoes. "It’s the classic stereotype," says stylist, consultant, and former Saks Fifth Avenue menswear director Michael Macko. Unlike what a man reads on the train, his footwear is on display throughout the day—from board meeting to bathroom stall. And those shoes are always saying something, especially at the office, where these days "we’re seeing all kinds of great shoes," says Kevin Harter, director of menswear at Bloomingdale’s. Men now are able to get away with wearing a much greater variety of shoes during the workday, in materials ranging from canvas to suede—even alligator—and in styles from strap closures to slip-ons. Color, Harter adds, is one of the moment’s big trends. But before you swap out your black oxfords for a pair of yellow suede loafers, stop and consider what that might communicate about you."
Below you will find a few examples. Whatever your style there are perhaps 3 rules. 1) They must fit properly 2) They must be clean 3) They should fit the occasion. Gentlemen remember It's the shoes! - Part Two next Week.
(Pictures: www.businessweek.com)
There are many schools of thought on what proper dress and grooming involves. So that we don't get lost in the "forest" of fashion, we will stick to classic and timeless fashion for men, namely suits, shirts, ties and everything that a fashionable Gentleman would care about. A true Gentleman understands that appearance is important and that our clothes are the calling cards of our personality.
Since God made Adam and Eve's clothes out of animal skin, mankind has been concerned with what he is wearing. And since then much progress has been made in the way humans produce garments, we have come a long way from animal skins! We found cotton and wool! Not only have the clothes improved but the quality has, so much so that people will spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on one or two items! Why? Because people know that oftentimes people judge you by what they see first- How are you dressed? Should I respect you? Do you work here? Did you just wake up? And from this "first look" they have judged us and will either respect us or not, it's just that simple.
What many don't understand is that clothes, colors and even scents can have a positive or negative affect on them and others. For example, did you know that wearing a red tie or any other color for that matter, can give an indication of your personality type and the mood you are in? It's true note this quote: "Every color creates certain moods and feelings within us. Studies have shown that our reactions to color are almost instantaneous, and that they have a deep impact on the choices we make everyday. A red tie is full of energy; Red ties are usually worn by outgoing personality types. It shines full of optimism and it increases enthusiasm. The brighter the red the more emotionally intense it is." (www.tie-knots.org)
Whether it's a tie, shirt, suit or shoes they all tell something about us. What do your clothes say? What are you wearing tomorrow or even now? Putting forethought into what we will wear is very important because after all a Gentleman knows first impressions are the best impressions - make them last!
The Classic Man
