Lace Them Up!

Women notice them, your boss notices them and in that interview they'll notice them too. Shoes are one of, if not the most important thing in your outfit. Nothing can make a $5,000 suit look like you got it on a sale rack in Kmart like an ugly shoe. Nothing can make that sale rack suit look more expensive than the right shoe. It takes a lot of patience when deciding and purchasing that important piece in your wardrobe. Hym will guide you to making the best possible decision within your budget along with the one that goes best with you.

First and foremost, go with brown. Brown is the essential color for the perfect shoe and has been for the last 250 years. It's just not any brown shoe though, choose a dark pair preferably wing-tipped and very toned down in design. The less flashy the better. Pointy toe shoes or square front shoes are not in, and have not been in for years - it's time to let go and move on.

Crocodile or animal print shoes are not cool, not even Liberace can pull that off.

The Plain Toe- Basic shoe. Comes with leather and laces. No carvings, designs or personality (the shoe and the wearer).

The Runoff Lace-up- Very clean front with two lines going down the front, no carvings whatsoever, one of the simpler shoes suggested. Pick from either an opaque or shiny finish, both are acceptable. This is for those who want to prove a lot of things that they may or may not be able to provide.

Moc Lace-up- Looks like a moccasin but made like a dress shoe. It's basically a Runoff shoe that has both ends meeting to create a semi circle on the front. This is for those living a more casual lifestyle, who are looking to create their own niche at work.

The Cap Toe Lace-up- (Pictured above) These are a bit more dramatic, have a straight line across the toes on the front and have some carvings to accentuate the shoe a bit more than a Runoff. This is where class starts and the money hungry business man emerges.

The Wing Tip- (pictured below) The most prestigious of shoes, standardized as one of the most classy. It basically looks like the etch of a bird on the front and some carvings throughout - an insert of its elegance. The top of the food chain, the prestige and class start and end here.

Remember, all of the shoes stated above are accepted, choose the style that fits best with your personality or the personality you're trying to portray. Dark brown is the standard but black is always a good staple as well if you're going to a funeral or wearing a tuxedo- you decide.

You do not have to spend a thousand dollars on a pair but remember, you will have these for a long time. Lifespan of a good shoe is about 4 years, with the necessary care tips taken into consideration (post coming up soon). This is a strict investment piece, make sure you spend the money if you want to reek the benefits of the statement your making when you step into the door.

Hym suggests, Tods, Johnston & Murphy and Bally for those willing to invest a bit more. J Crew, Zara, Kenneth Cole and Bloomingdales for those who are looking to buy a new pair yearly.

Shoes are going to be your staple to the paper which is your suit in the resume you hand out whenever some one sees you for the first time. Try to make a good impression, for those that dress well, not a lot has to be said. These shoes are reserved for gentlemen and for the gentlemen only.

Cheerio!