The 6 pairs of shoes every man just has to have

Oxford shoes, or simply Oxfords, are a real must for any man’s wardrobe. Oxfords are the epitome of a pair of dress shoes. Their fine, tasteful lines add refinement to any outfit.
Oxford shoes are characterised by the quarters being sewn under the vamp.

They have a “closed” lacing system with a V-shaped slit, and come with a plain vamp, straight toecap or floral wingtip toecap.
Oxfords are usually constructed on a leather outsole, which makes them look particularly elegant. To make your shoes both last longer and grip the ground better, you can have non-slip pads added at the shoe repair shop. Useful tip: some models already have pads attached underneath the sole of the shoe.

A pair of Oxfords goes perfectly with business attire, be it with a suit, some chinos or even jeans, if you prefer a more casual look, as long as you choose less formal colours, such as brown, burgundy or navy blue.
They are also an absolute must for special occasions: wearing a pair of black Oxford shoes to a wedding or other ceremony will add finesse and elegance to your outfit and they’ll also be in perfect taste.

Another must have model of dress shoe for men is the Derby. Considered to be less formal than Oxford shoes, a Derby model, depending on its particular features, can be perfectly suited to a formal style, or indeed bring a more casual feel to your look.

Its “open” lacing system is more comfortable for high insteps: as the 2 eyelet tabs are not sewn to the leather on the front of the shoe, but to the vamp, it is easier to slide your foot into the shoe.

You can wear Derbies with business attire, whether it’s a pair of suit trousers or chinos. Choose a dark colour and a leather sole for an elegant look, and save brown, camel and burgundy for less formal business attire.

For a more “smart casual” outfit, opt for jeans worn with either a long sleeved shirt, a polo shirt or a plain T-shirt. Combining a smart pair of Derbies with the more relaxed feel of a pair of jeans will create an impression of casual elegance.

Depending on whether you choose a more, or less, rounded toe, a leather, rubber or lugged sole, a darker or lighter colour, and grained, smooth, burnished or nubuck leather, you can create all sorts of different sartorial styles with a pair of Derby shoes, and that’s reason enough for them to be key items in any man's wardrobe.

Monk strap shoes, monk shoes, or simply monks, are a relative newcomer to the world of shoes. They first appeared during the Renaissance, when they only had one buckled strap, gradually gaining 1 or 2 more as time went by.

They have a few things in common with Derby shoes, in terms of both shape and construction, their open system making them more comfortable than a pair of Oxford shoes.
Despite their understated design, the fine silver buckles add a touch of the avant-garde to a traditional pair of dress shoes.

For formal attire, go for a model made of smooth, black leather, worn with smart trousers or a fitted suit. Then your appearance is sure to tick every box in terms of elegance.

For a more casual chic look, you could choose something like nubuck leather or suede, in a shade of brown. Worn with just a pair of jeans or some chinos, you have the perfect outfit for work.

Boots and ankle boots come in all sorts of models, from highly elegant to ultra casual.
Chelsea boots are characterised by an elastic insert on the side that helps you to slip them on easily.
Their clean lines mean they go with all sorts of different outfits:

For a classic look with a formal suit, choose a pair of smooth leather Chelsea boots, which will deliver the understated elegance of dress shoes.

Want a more rock’n’roll look? Just wear your pair of black boots with jeans, a plain T-shirt and a leather jacket.

Looking for a relaxed outfit for days off? Jeans and a hoodie, with a pair of suede leather Chelsea boots on your feet, and you’re all set for a chilled week-end!

Low boots and desert boots are less formal in style. These high-top lace-ups are suited to a casual look and are perfect for cold weather.

Derby boots are boots that lace all the way up to above the ankle. They create a somewhat ambivalent impression, combining the elegance and timelessness of Derbies with the relaxed style of boots.

Everyone’s wearing them: whether for sport or for work, trainers are an integral part of every male wardrobe.
For improved durability, however, it’s important to choose smooth leather or suede rather than canvas.

For days when all you want is a comfortable, fuss-free outfit, a pair of white leather trainers with jeans and a plain or multi-coloured T-shirt makes the ideal combo.

For a more formal look, it's now considered perfectly acceptable to wear a suit and a pair of leather trainers. Black or white trainers have really torn up the rulebook, yet they still look stylish.
In fact, for more relaxed business attire, you can’t go far wrong with trainers, chinos and a blazer.

You can easily slip them in a week-end bag too, when you’re off on one of your adventures. As well as being comfortable to wear on walks around town or in the countryside, trainers add a dash of style without fuss.