They say that the true reflection of a man’s character are his shoes, but we say that shoes define more than just that.
Talk of men’s fashion and multiple things come to mind, from the fragrance they wear to the apparel each play its own role. That said, one thing that trumps the accessory list to really complete the look is footwear’s. No longer is it just a bare necessity or a means to an end. The evolution of footwear dates back to the evolution of mankind as we know it. And while we have seen the shift in prices and materials, faster went the graph when it came to style and attention on this particular subject. From multimillion sneakers to bespoke designer formals, the market is flooded with options when it comes to male footwear’s.
Where It All Began
Picture a time when footwear (both men or women) didn’t exist. Did you twitch? Yes, so did we. It is believed that the first pair of shoes was discovered in Mesopotamia, Circa somewhere between 1600 to 1200 BC. The people living of the mountains at the border or Iran made a make shift kind of footwear using leather that they wrapped around their feet to protect them. The proper discover of shoes, however, was done by the Egyptians who started making them around 1500 BC. The primary idea here was to protect the feet from sand, stones, heat etc while one is outdoors. Shaped like boats or sometimes like strappy sandals (available at brands like Dolce & Gabbana or Prada), people used all sorts of material to cover their feet ranging from animal hide, silk, leather to reed.
Shaped like boats or sometimes like strappy sandals (available at brands like Dolce & Gabbana or Prada), people used all sorts of material to cover their feet ranging from animal hide, silk, leather to reed.
That said, the modern day society came into play, and there was a whole period in history where the liberty of wearing new shoes were limited to only the rich and aristocrats of the society. The poor of the society, especially Britain were said to have access to wearing shoes only because of remaking or repairing the worn pairs. By the fourteenth and fifteenth century, the homogenic design started setting in, making all men’s footwear flat in nature. The only known popular style during those centuries were ‘poulaine’ or ‘pike’ (that you might find at pioneer names like Salvatore Ferragamo or Yves Saint Laurent), which had the tip of the men shoes super pointy and long.
Transit From Utility To Style
It was not until the sixteenth century that men’s footwear were introduced with arched soles and heels, giving it a style oriented variation. While this change was followed by designers till eighteenth century, it is believed that the shift came during James I reign, when the concept of fashion and stocking were introduced to the world of male world. It was during this time that attention was paid to the looks of the pair by adding crafted designs like roses, rosettes or bows to the pieces made for the wealthy of the society.
France also plays an important role in the style evolution of shoes, as it was Louis XIV who brought the French court style to the world. This gave adornments of metallic and stone buckles to the otherwise plain pairs of shoes. So it becomes pretty evident that men began getting image conscious and conscious of the way they looked, way before the celebrity quotient and page 3 came into place. What we see today, is nothing but years and years of detailing and every evolving conditioning.
Appearance Matters And How
Let’s be honest for a second and admit it, looks matter and we all indeed do judge a book by its cover (if not completely). We all have our own unique style, a certain way we dress up; and be it man or women, no look is complete without shoes. From the one in dashing formals to the sporty teen next door, every boy/ man has a particular preference. The lines of utility have blurred in the past few decades. For instance, sneakers are no longer restricted to the game court, but can also be seen sported at the clubs; the formal wears are no longer just office wear but can be worn to house-parties too. Hence, when it comes to spending oodles of moolah on a pair of shoes, men go for it because in today’s time it’s not just about looks but comfort too. A lot of science and fine engineering goes into making that perfect pair for your feet; it’s no longer a casual affair.
A lot of science and fine engineering goes into making that perfect pair for your feet; it’s no longer a casual affair.
Brands That Stand Apart
When it comes to perfectly fusing looks with craftsmanship, there are some brands that have mastered the art, as compared to others. While many are known for their own USP, whether its best in class raw material or killer designs, we bring to you a selection of names that has striked the perfect balance of both. Famous amongst celebrities and common man alike, some of the best brands include names like – Cheaney, known for their boots, loafers, derby shoes etc.
Then there is John Lobb, a luxury name when it comes to bespoke shoes, especially the leather options. If it’s a luxury range of sneakers you’re looking for then you can check out Y-3 (Designer Yohji Yamamoto of Japan) who recently collaborated with Adidas for a brand new range of signature street-style collection. A name no stranger to the fashion-conscious, Prada, is the brand to go for, for that perfect pair of formals that brings both aesthetics and comfort to your wardrobe.
Besides these, some of the premium international brands include names like – Bally, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, BALENCIAGA Â and Yves Saint Laurent, to name a few; when it comes to the best in class sneakers, boots, formals, loafers or derbies.
A name no stranger to the fashion-conscious, Prada, is the brand to go for, for that perfect pair of formals that brings both aesthetics and comfort to your wardrobe.
