The Modern Metroneck should have shoes in his closet for many different purposes and occasions. This is a guide to the best shoes for the Modern MetroNeck. These are shoes you must-have for not only different situations but to go with the different outfits you might wear. The Modern MetroNeck recommends every man should own these shoes as staples of their wardrobe. There are shoes for everything. What are the best shoes when standing all day? What are the best shoes for running? What are the best shoes for hiking? There are shoes for health conditions. What are the best shoes for plantar fasciitis? What are the best shoes for flat feet? These are a lot of the questions you should be asking to select the right shoes for you.
I believe that shoes have the power to make your mood and outlook on life a little better. That old saying that if you look good, then you feel good, and if you feel good, then you play good (sports) or perform well (work) or what have you (life in general). I think that shoes are one of if not THE most important elements of an outfit. (They are the foundation if you will). You can be wearing one of the most beautiful, expensive custom suits but if your shoes are in bad shape or scuffed up or don’t match, then it ruins the whole vibe. (and makes you look beat up). A new pair of shoes can make you feel like a million bucks. I truly believe this.There are millions of different styles of shoes on the market. There are a few that you definitely should own just in case the need arises.
A pair of wing-tip lace-up “Church Shoes” is a must. (you know those stiff shiny ones your mom made you wear to Sunday school). You should get a pair in brown and black. They are lace-up hard sole shiny shoes that have a “winged” design on the toe. The wing tip is a throwback to a classic design that has been around for decades. (maybe even closer to a hundred years). Back when gentlemen wore brimmed hats and a suit was part of their everyday attire, wingtips were all the rage. (Gangsters pimped them). Today you can find wing-tips in all kinds of shoe designs. They are making this oldie style in all new and exciting designs with softer rubber soles and different color combinations. This no doubt makes them much more comfortable to wear. (Not so stiff nowadays). Check out these picks from the Modern MetroNeck on Amazon:
STACY ADAMS Men’s Dunbar-Wingtip Oxford, Cognac, 11 M US
Cole Haan Men’s Williams Wingtip Oxford, Black, 12 M US
Calvin Klein Men’s MOX Weave Emboss Driving Style Loafer, Black, 10.5M M US
Cole Haan Men’s Pinch Tassel Loafer, Black, 11 D US
Next up there is the Buck or Saddle type lace-up shoes. These come in a million different colors and you can pair them with Blue Jeans, or Khaki pants or even dress slacks depending on the color of the pants. Check out these picks from the Modern MetroNeck on Amazon:
Sperry Men’s Gold Cup Cheshire Oxford Nubuck, Grey, 10 M US
G.H. Bass & Co. Men’s Larson Penny Loafer, Saddle Tan, 10 D US
Cole Haan Men’s Original Grand Shortwing Oxford Shoe, Woodbury Leather/Ivory, 10 Medium US
Cole Haan Men’s Original Grand Stitchlite Plain OX Oxford, Rock Ridge, 10.5 M US
The saddle shoes usually are two-toned so they will match almost anything you wear. They are very comfortable and look good in most casual situations. You can wear them to church but they are not to be mistaken for “Church Shoes”. I would not wear them with a suit since they are more of a casual style shoe.
The Modern Metroneck should also have a pair of slip-on Church shoes or loafers as they are sometimes called. These don’t have laces and usually come with tassels or a different design on the toe area and don’t ride too high on your foot. They are usually leather and shiny and look sharp with a suit. Brown and black are also the most popular colors in these. You could also match them with Blue Jeans if needed. Slip-on Church Shoes can also be worn with socks or without depending on the situation or outside temperature. You can alternate these with the Wing Tips in dress-up situations. (Keep em guessing).
Casual slippers or Driving Slippers are another of my go-to kicks as a Modern MetroNeck. These slippers are usually made of leather or suede in various colors and have a rubber sole. These are like “Gloves for your feet” and are extremely comfortable. I have them in different shades of brown, black and blue. These are also very versatile and can be worn with shorts, Blue Jeans or Khaki pants. You can wear these without socks or you can wear them with special No-Show slipper-socks. (Oh yeah they are a thing and they are wonderful). These socks will be almost invisible but will keep your feet from sweating and slipping in the shoe. The driving slippers are a staple in almost every Frat House in the south. (They pimp them 24/7). They are a classic look with just about anything you wear. Check out these picks from the Modern MetroNeck on Amazon:
Rockport Men’s Luxury Cruise Penny Tan (Beige with Black Outsole) Loafer 9.5 M (D)-9.5 M
Rockport Men’s Marshall Wingtip Oxford, Cognac Leather, 13 W US
Sperry Mens Billfish 3-Eye Boat Shoe, Dark Tan, 10.5 Wide
Sperry Mens Hamilton II 1-Eye Loafer, Dark Brown, 11
There are a few outliers when it comes to the shoe game. The boat or deck shoe is a popular design that is great for the lake, the ocean, the yacht (pontoon), or around any water sports situations. They are a casual type shoe that if gotten wet is not a big deal. They are breathable and usually include some mesh in them. That is what they are made for are wet conditions. They have a rubber nonslip bottom especially for those wet conditions and are very comfortable on your feet. Just like the driving slipper, you can wear these without socks or rock the slipper socks.
The Croc is both a brand and a style of shoe. The Croc company invented these very popular and very comfortable slip-on clog style shoes. They have been extremely popular over the last 10-15 years and have ridden that wave of popularity all the way to the bank. WARNING! I must caution you on wearing Crocs. Wearing this type of shoe goes against any and all fashion sense that The Modern MetroNeck could teach you. It’s hard to say that these are the best shoes for the Modern MetroNeck. Sure’ these shoes lean much further to the “Neck” side than the “Metro” side. I must say that if you wear these style shoes, please do not wear them to ANY function where there is a HINT of a dress code. Just don’t do it! They are fine to wear to the lake, or on a camping, fishing, hunting, outdoors trip, or to a cookout. Check out these picks from the Modern MetroNeck on Amazon:
Crocs Classic Realtree Clog, Khaki, 10 M US Men’s/12 M US Women’s
Nike Men’s Air Vapormax Flyknit 3 Running Shoes (11, Black/White/Metallic Silver)
adidas Men’s Edge Runner Running Shoe, White/Silver Metallic/Grey One, 9.5 Medium US
New Balance Men’s M990GL4 Running Shoe, Grey/Castle Rock, 11 D US
They are not OK for weddings, funerals, gender reveals, family reunions, graduation parties or ANY church events or the like. That said I may or may not have 4 different pairs of Crocs in my MetroNeck closet right now. They are fun and, comfortable and they are easy, but they are just not fashion forward in any sense of the words. And like someone once said, “That’s all I’m going to say about that”. (Gump). Speaking of Gump, did we talk about the best shoes for running? What about the best shoes for basketball or the best shoes for CrossFit? Athletic shoes have a life all their own. There are millions upon millions of athletic shoes on the market. You can find a shoe for just about any sport now.
There are shoes for any and all situations and occasions. The Modern MetroNeck recommends finding the ones that catch your eye and make you feel like that million bucks. (I highly recommend getting yourself a pair of blue-suede shoes, (Hey they were good enough for Elvis). Also, be sure to take care of your shoes. You would be surprised how a little extra attention will extend the life of a good pair of shoes. Since we are grown and don’t have to worry about sizing out of shoes, we only have to worry about wearing them out or losing them. Get yourself a good polishing kit and some leather cleaner, or suede cleaner for your different types of shoes. Also, wipe them off with a damp cloth from time to time. They get pretty dirty from just everyday walking. Also, keep them in the shoebox if at all possible. That will keep dust off of them even in your MetroNeck closet. You would be surprised how much longer shoes last in a box. Check out these picks from the Modern MetroNeck on Amazon:
Florsheim Men’s Bucktown Plain Toe Oxford, Dirty Buck Suede, 9.5 M US
Cole Haan Men’s Grand Crosscourt II Sneaker, tan leather burnished, 10.5 Medium US
Cole Haan Men’s Grand Plus Essex Wedge Oxford Loafer, Black/Optic White, 10 M US
Sperry Gold Cup Cheshire Oxford Leather Tan 8.5
These are just some staples of the best shoes for the Modern MetroNeck. You can step outside of the bounds of regular shoes and get wild from time to time. You will know when these occasions call for it. (Your girl will let you know when it’s not OK). It has been said that women will pay attention to the shoes that a man is wearing within a few seconds of laying eyes on him. I absolutely believe this. It is a small detail that will make the man into a Modern MetroNeck. What are the best shoes for men? Keep your shoe game on point and you will definitely be ahead of the game. (and remember that warning about Crocs!) Oh, and what are the best shoes for running? It’s the ones that make you FAST!
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