You know the old cultural stereotype of a women owning a closet full of shoes. Despite having so many pairs, she has a favorite. They are the pair she wears most often; the pair that makes her exclaim with joy every time she puts them on. So, can men have a favorite pair of shoes too?
Here’s a little secret: yes, they can. Men are allowed to have a favorite pair of shoes. Some men might prefer to keep their voices down when talking on the subject, but that doesn’t stop them from truly appreciating that one pair of shoes they wear most often.
The typical American man owns at least one pair of casual shoes, a pair of dress shoes, and a pair of sneakers. Professional men might have several pairs of dress shoes to accommodate different suits. But it is all good. There is a solid chance that there is one pair of shoes in every man’s collection that gets more use than all the rest.
Sneakers Go with Everything
One of the big advantages of being a man, at least in a fashion sense, is that sneakers go with anything. A man can rock a pair of sneakers with jeans and a suit coat just as easily as pairing them with khaki shorts and a polo shirt. Sneakers can be worn with or without socks. They are fine in just about any color.
Sneakers are the all-purpose footwear for men. Knowing that, a truly comfortable pair of sneakers can easily become the favorite shoes in one’s closet. A good pair can make a man feel right at home no matter the occasion.
Dress Shoes for Work
Despite the universal appeal of a good pair of sneakers, they do not work so well in the office for certain kinds of professional men. No one wants to see a prosecuting attorney walk into the courtroom wearing a business suit and a pair of high tops. Likewise, sneakers are inappropriate for the board room – unless your name is Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos.
No, professional men have to wear dress shoes. They have lots of choices: wingtips, brogues, derbies, oxfords, and so on. Some men love their dress shoes so much that one pair is a favorite. They will do anything to protect that pair of shoes, even going as far as investing in GC Tech waterproof shoe covers.
Middle-Of-The-Road Casual Shoes
You could make the case that sneakers and dress shoes are polar opposites. They occupy the extremes on both ends of the spectrum. If that is the case, casual shoes are the middle-of-the-road option. They could be anything from loafers to deck shoes. The one thing all casual shoes have in common is comfort.
The Venerable Boot
We can talk about men shoes without discussing the venerable boot. You have your standard steel-toed work boot that meets all regulatory standards and is perfect for construction, industrial work, etc. You also have soft-toed work boots for less dangerous jobs. And do not forget hiking boots and cowboy boots. They are also on the table.
Men have more footwear choices than they like to admit. They also have their favorites. That’s okay. Having a favorite pair of shoes in no way jeopardizes a man’s masculinity. When it comes to something as personal as footwear, it is natural to have a favorite.
Do you have a pair of shoes you prefer above all others? Go ahead, you can admit it. No one is going to disown you because you have a favorite pair of shoes.