Leather shoes are a must-have for a mature man. A pair of good leather shoes not only makes you more comfortable and confident, but also reflects a man's lifestyle taste, enhances your overall temperament, value, and even gives people an unimaginable good impression. In addition, good leather shoes are considered durable consumer goods, and if properly maintained, they can serve you for at least three to five years or even longer. Unlike women's shoes, which focus on style design and fashion, men's shoes focus more on quality and brand, and there are many ways to choose.

The value of a pair of leather shoes mainly depends on two aspects: shoe shape and leather material. Men's leather shoes can be easily divided into two types: formal leather shoes and casual leather shoes. Formal leather shoes must be paired with formal pants, and there is a lot of emphasis. Casual leather shoes are more casual, and casual pants, jeans, and even shorts can be paired with them. You can choose whatever feels good. The following content focuses more on formal leather shoes, strictly speaking, only including Monk, Oxford, and Derby styles.

Monk shoes: Monk shoes, also known as monk shoes or monk shoes, were a product before the invention of shoelaces, and are therefore one of the oldest types of shoes in the West. Monk shoes do not have shoelaces, which are constrained by the lateral binding force between the metal buckle and the belt. Its signature feature is a horizontal strap that spans across the upper and has metal buckles. Before the emergence of shoelace design, the design of this belt buckle was a very important and long-standing classification. It is said that British businessmen have a strong preference for this design. In terms of formality, monk shoes are second only to Oxford shoes in business occasions, with the second highest level of formality. At that time, men who attended formal occasions wore this type of monk buckle with a buckle, and this trend is still not outdated. Many old-fashioned people are still willing to choose this Old Fashion.

Derby and Oxford:

When it comes to Derby, we have to start with shoelaces. The shoelace is actually a great invention. Accompanied by shoelaces are Derby shoes and Oxford shoes. The characteristic of Oxford shoes is a closed shoelace, with lace holes nailed together with the tongue, and the upper and tongue are not a whole piece of leather. Derby shoes, on the other hand, have an open lace that is independent of the tongue, and the tongue is connected to the upper.

The tongue of a derby shoe is connected to the upper

Oxford shoes have a closed toe, while Derby shoes have an open toe. Oxford shoes are more formal and sturdy, while Derby shoes are more casual and comfortable, with a degree of formality behind Oxford shoes and monk shoes. Compared to Oxford shoes, Derby shoes have an extra leisurely temperament, with a calm and innovative feeling suitable for social occasions with a slightly relaxed atmosphere.

The upper and tongue of Oxford shoes are not a whole piece of leather

However, the status of Oxford shoes is unshakable, and once they were introduced, they were widely popular and dominated, making them the most formal formal formal leather shoes for business occasions. The classification of Oxford shoes is relatively complex. The toe of Oxford shoes is generally carved, and in addition to the smooth plain surface of the upper, there are often horizontal or wing patterns.

Texture of leather shoes: Horizontal patterns are quite common and popular, appearing mature and flavorful compared to smooth plain surfaces, as well as lively and energetic compared to wing patterns. From young people who have just debuted to experienced gentlemen and elders, there are options to choose from. And it also matches well with suits and pants, making people feel relaxed and not abrupt or out of style, making it a versatile style. Wing patterns are something that professionals value, characterized by maturity, stability, and exquisite elegance.

Loafer: Between the edge of formal and casual, it cannot be considered formal leather shoes. Lefu shoes usually refer to leather shoes with no laces, shallow cuts, and easy to take off. The feature is to cross the belt above the shoe upper from both sides of the shoe saddle, or add simple metal buckles. The fewer metal accessories on leather shoes, the better. If necessary, they should also be simple, exquisite, and full of a sense of design.

Brock style: Brock is a transliteration of English Brocue, widely referring to various leather shoes and boots decorated with nail hole patterns and leather curve cut edges, which can be Oxford shoes, derby shoes, or Lefu shoes. Bullock shoes originated in England. Although they look very exquisite nowadays, they were not created for social occasions. On the contrary, they were first simple and practical shoes used for outdoor work in the countryside by Scottish and Irish people in the 16th century while working in the highlands. The Duke of Windsor excavated Block from the countryside and made it a symbol of gentlemanhood.

A few small details about choosing leather shoes:

The first detail is the cortex, including the scalp and endothelium.

Experience smoothness and thickness, as well as toughness and strength. Carefully touch the leather on the upper, body, back, lining, and other areas with your hands to observe and feel the details and patterns of the leather. Good cowhide must be fine and tough; Good sheepskin is soft and delicate; Good pig skin is refreshing and comfortable.

The second detail is the sole, which is divided into an outsole and an insole.

In addition to material requirements, it is best to step on the ground, walk more, and test the feel of the foot. The outsole should be thick and flexible, and the insole should fit naturally and be breathable. In addition, the quality of the shoe shape, especially whether there are any defects in the last, can also be detected by trying it on or observing the level map of the heel.

The third detail is the stitching.

Mainly the stitching between the leather material and the sole, as well as the sewing between the leather materials. Carefully compare the stitching of different brands and prices, and the workmanship is clear at a glance. If the inner sole can be opened, the stitching can be clearly seen. Please pay attention to the material, trend, and stitching of the stitching. Especially for the wiring at the junction and important parts, such as the two sides of the 1/3 front foot, which are difficult parts during walking, the stitching on these two sides is very important, and the stitching should be more dense. The heel of the shoe is also a concentrated load-bearing area, and it is also the area where the heel nails the palm. There are not only stitches, but also nails the palm, and special attention should be paid.

In short, the selection of formal leather shoes should be simple, classic, and even conservative. Black is always right. As long as it matches the clothes, brown or even white doesn't matter. Formal leather shoes can be divided into more conservative, flashy, and cumbersome retro formal leather shoes and simpler modern formal leather shoes. The former is generally used for formal occasions with special meanings, such as ceremonies, weddings, cocktail parties, etc., while the latter is used for general political and business occasions. Even for vintage formal leather shoes, you can choose plain Oxford shoes. In fact, the simpler the leather shoes, the more they test the shoe shape and leather. There is no need to have too many rules and regulations when choosing casual leather shoes. Choose a reliable brand to try on and buy whichever is comfortable. There are a wide variety of casual leather shoes, and you can freely choose according to your temperament, occasion, and clothing combination.