12 Popular Types Of Men’s Shoes (And When To Wear Them)

Is it time you tried out some different shoes? Men’s shoes come in all different styles. Some of these can be great for transforming outfits. Of course, there are rules as to which shoes can be successfully paired with which items of clothing. This post delves into 12 types of popular men’s shoes that are worth owning, and how to wear each of them. 

Canvas sneakers

Canvas sneakers and leather sneakers are the two most popular types of sneaker. Canvas sneakers are the more traditional version and are made of cotton with a leather sole – they are lighter and better for the summer months as they are generally more breathable. Popular brands include Vans and Converse.

Canvas sneakers are primarily a casual shoe that goes well with slim-fit jeans or chinos. They are hard to pull off with sweatpants and typically don’t go well with a suit unless you’re making a statement.

Leather sneakers

The most popular kind of sneaker is leather sneakers. These are made entirely of leather and tend to have a chunkier appearance than canvas sneakers. White is the most common color for these sneakers, but they can come in all kinds of colors and patterns. There are also so many different styles from the classic Reebok running shoe design to more futuristic designs like Yeezys. Leather sneakers are easier to clean than canvas sneakers, making them more suitable to wear all year round. Nike, Adidas and Reebok are some of the most iconic brands.

Leather sneakers are very casual footwear. They pair best with sweatpants, however you can wear many styles with jeans and even chinos. As with canvas sneakers, you probably don’t want to wear these with suit pants unless you’re deliberately trying to break the mold. 

High-top sneakers

High-top sneakers are sneakers that cover the ankles. Such shoes offer more ankle support and warmth in the winter months, and can be leather or canvas. Popular examples include Vans Sk8-his, Nike Blazers and Converse Chuck 70s.

Skinny jeans and high-top sneakers make a great combo as they contrast each other. High-tops also work well with slim-fitting sweatpants and chinos. Avoid high-tops with baggy styles of pants unless you’re tucking them into the shoe. Avoid them with a suit. 

Espadrilles

Espadrilles are light slip-on shoes commonly made from jute fabric. They tend to be very summery shoes as they are very breathable. They are less suitable in winter as they don’t offer much breathability. Aurelian is one of the most notable brands.

Espadrilles pair best with jeans or chinos. For more formal settings, it’s usually better to opt for loafers if you’re looking for a laceless option.. 

Sandals

Most people own a pair of sandals. These shoes allow the toes to be visible and are one of the most breathable summer options. Variants include sliders and flip-flops. 

Sandals are definitely more casual shoes and tend to pair best with shorts or three-quarter lengths. Sandals can also be worn with baggy jeans or slightly baggy chinos for a great contrast. You’ve probably heard that it’s uncool to wear sandals and socks, and most people would agree with this statement. However, recently more and more young people have been trying to subvert this. Is it about to become trendy to wear sandals with socks?

Combat boots

These types of boots are modelled off of boots worn by the army. They’re typically black or brown and made of leather, although are available in other colors and materials. Such boots are commonly worn in colder weather and can provide a degree of waterproofness. Doc Martens is probably the most renowned brand for combat boots. .  

Combat boots pair well with skinny or straight jeans. Choose darker navy jeans or black jeans with black combat boots. Brown combat boots can work better with lighter jeans or even khaki chinos. Baggy pants don’t work as well with combat boots. 

Hiking boots

Hiking boots are unsurprisingly designed primarily for hiking – although there have been many more casual boots produced over the years that are suitable for day-to-day wear such as Timberlands. Although similar to combat boots, hiking boots tend to have a more flexible sole and are commonly made from nubuck leather or a synthetic substitute to give them more of a tan appearance. They’re great rugged shoes for outdoor activities and are typically even more waterproof than combat boots.

When it comes to pairing hiking boots with pants, choose skinny jeans or rolled up jeans (rolled up over the top of the boot with high socks). As with combat boots, they are a more casual or smart casual option. 

Boat shoes

Boat shoes were originally designed for sailors to prevent them slipping on the decks of boats. Nowadays, they’re worn more as a fashion statement rather than for practical use. Sebago is one of the most iconic boat shoe brands. 

Boat shoes are great smart-casual summer shoes that are sometimes worn without socks. They look great with rolled jeans for a nautical look and can also be worn with khaki chinos for a beach vibe. Due to their laid-back appearance, boat shoes typically don’t work with a suit unless it’s a more colourful semi-formal suit.

Dress boots

Dress boots like those made by https://asmc-us.com/ are typically leather or suede boots that cover the ankle. They have a more formal look than hi-cut sneakers and are usually brown or black in color. There are many different styles of dress boots including chukka boots, cap toes, plain toes and wing toes – check out these Alden boots to explore different styles.

Ideal for smart-casual events, dress boots go well with jeans – particularly boot cut jeans and rolled jeans. They can also go well with chinos and suit pants (for very formal events, stick to black leather dress boots). 

Loafers

Loafers are laceless shoes made of leather or suede. They are typically more formal shoes, although there are some varieties that are suitable in more casual settings. Compared to Derbys and Oxfords, they are more comfortable as they easily slip on. They are favoured by all ages because of this. Brands such as Scarosso are known for their loafers. 

It’s become fashionable to wear loafers without socks, although you can still wear socks with them. Loafers can pair well with suit pants, chinos or skinny jeans. More formal brown leather loafers should be paired with more formal-looking pants. 

Derbys

Derby shoes (also known as bluchers) are commonly made from traditional brown leather or suede. Unlike loafers they are laced. Some leather variants have small decorative holes and are known as ‘brogues’, while others are more plain. Famous brands that specialise in these shoes include Grenson and Clark’s. 

These shoes are definitely on the more formal end of the spectrum and go well with a suit. That said, they have a slightly more relaxed look than Oxfords, and are therefore more versatile in smart-casual settings. When going smart casual, you can pair them with jeans or chinos, however you’ll typically need to wear a buttoned shirt or blazer too to balance out the outfit. 

Oxfords

Similar to Derby shoes, Oxfords have a closed lace throat system opposed to Derby’s open lace throat system, and are more commonly made from black leather for a strictly formal look. As with Derbys, some may adopt a brogue design. Famous brands include Berluti, Crockett & Jones and Church’s. 

Oxfords are designed to be worn with a suit in formal settings (such as offices or weddings). You can wear them with chinos or darker slim-fit jeans at more smart-casual events – however, as with Derbys, you should pair them with a buttoned shirt or blazer. Oxfords are definitely not something you want to pair with sweatpants, unless you’re intent on being a maverick.