Style

What Your Dress Shoes Say About You

If your kicks could talk, here's what they'd say.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

When it comes time to dress up, the kicks you choose make a statement. Sometimes it says you know what you're doing, and sometimes well, it doesn't work quite as well as you thought it would. Sneakerheads know that you can glean a little bit about a person by examining the heat on their feet, and the same applies to dudes who are slightly more suited and booted. From American footwear staples to more bold #menswear-friendly choices, here's a tongue-in-cheek look at What Your Dress Shoes Say About You.

RELATED: What Your Menswear Accessories Say About You
RELATED: 10 More Menswear Trends That Need to Just Go Away
RELATED: Green Label - What Your Shoes Say About Your Musical Preferences

Longwing Brogues

Son, I been in this #menswear game. Understand, longwings are to #menswear what the Pro Keds 69er was to sneakerheads. I done read Bobbito Garcia's "Where'd You Get Those?" so don't act like I don't know my history. You wanna test the kid on wardrobe staples? My OCBDs been worn so often I got all the collars frayed. I rep my squad in a repp tie, and learned Japanese just so I could read "Take Ivy." Come at me. I'm the Osiris of this blog shit.

Advertisement

Chelsea Boots

I was born with Quadrophenia. Anything British I fux with. Fishtail parkas? Duh. Crombie jackets and Harringtons? Got like ten. Grew my hair out to a Beatles mop top when I was seven, then bent it to the side like Beckham after puberty. Asked for a Vespa for a 16th birthday, and some crispy Ben Sherman shirts. Flew to Savile Row and studied abroad at Tommy Nutters, hoping to get knighted by Sir Paul Smith.

Cole Haan Lunargrands

I am a recovering hypebeast. I really wanted to wear my Concords with my tuxedo so I could really nail that "Boyz II Men at the Grammys" look, but they got the veto from my parents, who said that they were inappropriate for a court appearance.

Advertisement

Saddle Shoes

The only reason these got copped is because Mark McNairy's the shit and these were the only semi-affordable joints since they were on super sale.

Plain Toe Bluchers

I'm allergic to branding and everything else in my wardrobe is super minimal. I love designers like Jil Sander and stores like Uniqlo and Muji. Despite the fact that I'm a grown man, when I order at restaurants I make sure that they plate my food in a way that it doesn't touch each other. Or else I will straight up throw a tantrum.

Advertisement

Brogued Boots

I bought these because Nick Wooster wears them.

Horse Bit Loafers

I know what luxury is. When I have to step out of the Rolls Royce, I switch from my velvet slippers into these—after I throw on my cashmere socks though. I'm the dude from Rick Ross' "London Skit." My bare feet have never touched ground that wasn't plush carpet. I have $200 house slippers for hardwood and tile. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and melted it down to make the bits on my loafers.

Advertisement

Double-Monk Straps

Everything I ever needed to know about style I got from the Internet. I had no idea what double monks were until I saw some dude on Tumblr really stunting in a pair. I knew I had to have them, and since then my life has been an endless quest for "sprezzatura." One day, when I stop buying so much expensive clothes, I'll move out of my parent's basement. Until then, I can stunt on herbs in the mall. See me outdressing fools in Hollister kits.

Penny Loafers

I cried for days after Ralph Lauren announced it was closing Rugby. Brooks Brothers Red Fleece held me down for a little, but it wasn't the same. When the Ovadia brothers showed their J. Press York Street line, I finally left the house for the first time in months. My pants have never met the tops of my shoes, and I have every color except khaki and navy. I don't have the balls to tell anyone to "go to hell," so I let my wardrobe do it for me.

Advertisement

Square-Toed Shoes

Sorry, what were you saying about my shoes? I couldn't hear you over my piles of money. No, I don't read blogs. Too busy counting paper and looking at my stock options. Do you like apples? Cool, I have about 700 shares in Apple. How you like them apples? I'd pay more attention to style if I wasn't so busy being successful. Besides, I only wear shoes about three hours a day. The rest of the time I'm barefoot. On my yacht.

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App