For me, it's actually a good thing. You see, what a lot of guys don't realize is that the right footwear can make or break your outfit and the impression you make on others. Shoes say a lot about who you are, what you value, what your status is, and your attention to detail. Women are very attuned to this, so if you want to set yourself apart from the other guys, you should really take this to heart. I've also found that it's important in business. As I went up the food chain in the corporate world, I found that the better I dressed, shoes included, the more positive the impact I made even before I said a word. On the other hand, I've seen many professionals wearing cheap shoes with decent suits and it really throws off the whole look.
How to Start your Footwear Wardrobe (or any other wardrobe)
If you decide to upgrade your footwear or expand your collection, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you have solid core wardrobe to expand from. Your needs will vary according to your lifestyle and the environments you work and play in. Decide what situations you need to be well-dressed for, and then focus on finding classic styles in blacks, browns, and/or tans that fit those situations and your personality. Always make sure that the materials and workmanship are the best you can afford. If you don't know the difference between average and exceptional shoes, then go to a high-end retailer or boutique to look at their most expensive, highest quality shoes. Pay close attention to the materials and construction and try on a pair of shoes that you really like. You should be able to tell the difference immediately. If you can afford them, buy them. If you can't afford them, find the next best shoes you can afford and buy those. Once you get the core footwear wardrobe together, then you can expand from there to get shoes that serve other purposes, such as just looking cool!
I have found myself in so many different social and professional situations that I've found it to be advantageous to have quite a variety of shoes, each for different purposes. I'm able to fit my footwear to the situation, my mood, and the weather. I have formal shoes for black tie events, dress shoes in black, brown, and tan to wear with suits or slacks and sport coats (Bruno Magli, Allen Edmonds), classy casual shoes in various colors (John Varvatos, Paul Smith, Bruno Magli), ultra-cool shoes and boots in various colors for when I feel like rockin' (Mark Nason and Lucchese), stylish sneakers for when I'm just kickin' around (Prada and Cole Haan), hiking and riding boots (Timberland and Ariat), and others.
By the way, take advantage of clearance sales, Bluefly.com, and Zappos.com to save yourself a LOT of money. Good shoes tend to be expensive. The good news is that they look better and last longer than inexpensive shoes as long as you take care of them. The impression you make in them will be priceless.
How to Use your Shoes
One pair of shoes might dress up your outfit, while a different pair might dress it down. A cheap, unflattering pair of shoes always send the wrong message, and makes every outfit look bad. One of the biggest mistakes I see when it comes to men's fashion is for a man to wear cheap and/or ugly shoes with a nice suit or slacks.
It's also very important to keep your shoes clean and/or polished and to use shoe trees to make sure that your shoes keep their shape. If you're spending a lot of money on them, you want to make sure that they last. Another important thing to remember is to keep an eye on the heels and soles of your shoes and boots. If they're worn down or have holes in them, you need to have them repaired. If they can't be repaired, then replace them.
Remember, your shoes are a critical part of your wardrobe. Don't scrimp on them!
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