Men’s winter footwear trends

TOM CRUISEChipo Mapondera Fashion
First impressions can be difficult to get right, as there are many things that contribute to how one is perceived.  The power of a confident demeanour, a well cut suit, and a watch that is neither too flashy, nor too simple, can be dashed in a moment if one glances downwards and lands their eyes on an inferior pair of shoes.
Menswear is simple and tends to veer towards basics, which makes it all the more important that every piece in an outfit enhances the look, and adds some distinctive details. The winter runways presented a feast for the sole, with a selection of footwear to protect feet from the icy cold, in style.

Trainers are no longer being relegated to the gym as the sneaker become more and more refined with every season. This must be a reaction to the humdrum life spent on the go, and in between work and play, because for the modern style-conscious man, luxury sneakers in the finest materials, like leather and suede, are now a wardrobe mainstay.

These are not your ugly, functional training shoes, nor are they the blindingly colourful, chunky high-tops that are de rigour in hip-hop music videos. This breed of luxe footwear is sleek and subtle, speaking of taste, sophistication and the ultimate level of comfort, as seen at Louis Vuitton, Pierre Hardy and Christian Louboutin. Although trainers do not work for all occasions, the mix of tailored attire paired with a sports shoe creates an interesting take on smart/ casual.

We don’t really have much of a hiking culture in our predominantly flat country, but fashion finds inspiration in many places, as seen in the latest trend forhiking-style boots. This is probably the biggest trend in footwear this season, as seen on the catwalks. In reality they make for the perfect all-weather options for town and country.

Apart from their functional aspects, designers played with colour and fabric to create street-worthy options that can be paired with a gillet, casual shirt and jeans, or with a heavy parka, courdroy trousers and chunky knits. Think “Alpine Adventurer” for this look, and perhaps use it as an excuse for that much-needed winter getaway to Nyanga or Vhumba.

It is no secret that pattern and colour have infiltrated menswear in recent seasons as most designers move away from safe, neutral hues, and into bright, punchy palettes. This has trickled down to footwear in the use of coloured and/ or contrasting soles.

This applies to many styles such as the black boots with white soles seen at Vivienne Westwood, or fellow British designer Jonathan Saunders, who charmed with his black brogues lifted with bright coloured soles in electric blue and citrus orange.

Going all-out with colour might be for a more fashion-forward guy, but if you want to dip into the trend, do as designer Thom Browne did, and lace up a pair of black brogues with contrasting grey soles, or a tan pair with a light yellow sole for a fun weekend look.

Winter is all about sturdy, hard-wearing boots, but they do not all have to be casual. The dress boot is making big waves this season, and allows the wearer to pair them with a far smarter wardrobe that is perfectly appropriate for work.

Dress boots add polish to a suit in the boardroom, or to a classic chino, shirt and blazer combo for evening drinks somewhere relaxed but sophisticated, like Maestro. At the weekend, they can be suitably paired with smarter dark denim, a white shirt and a quilted jacket for a striking interplay between smart and casual.

As for the footwear that is absolutely forbidden this season (or ever), steer clear of pointy-toe dress shoes that curl up at the tip. I have never worn them myself so I have no true testament, but shoes that look that uncomfortable, probably are, and should be avoided at all costs. Rather go for wing-tips or oxfords, with an rounded toe. The plus is these are classic styles that will not go out of fashion.

Keeping your footwear clean is also necessary to maintain a sharp look. Leather polishes are easy to find, as are special solutions for suede. Now that sneakers are a trend this does not mean you can pull out your scruffy running shoes from 5 years ago. Just as you polish your leather shoes every week, sneakers should be cleaned just as often.

You can buy specialist sneaker solutions, or clean them with a damp cloth and soap, depending on the materials. Some sneakers can go in the washing machine, but this a sure way to diminish their life span and to risk ruining them through colour washing.

Most shoes will come with cleaning instructions on the box, or ask about the cleaning methods when you buy them in-store.

So those are the top shoe trends of the season, so that you make a strong impression with every new encounter, because when it comes to style this winter it is essential to put your best foot forward.

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