Men's Casual Shoes
Men's casual shoes range from high quality hand-crafted leather shoes to canvas and rubber combinations in an array of designs. What should you be looking for when you are in the market for your next pair of casual shoes?
Men's Casual Shoe Tips
* Purpose and Function: Men's casual shoes are worn for a variety of purposes and you need to know where and when you intend to wear them before you make a selection. Do you want your casual shoes for lounging around the house, gardening, catching a sporting event, clubbing or heading to the beach? Will you be standing or walking for long durations? Do they need to be warm? Waterproof? You may be thinking you can save money by getting a pair that will also work with formal occasions; however, most casual shoes will look out of place with formal dress and dress shoes will not serve your casual needs. Instead invest in a couple separate pairs.
* Casual Shoe Style: Once you've decided what your shoes need to do, you can turn your attention to style. Casual shoes come in countless styles to fit your every need. A great place to start is to consider the clothing with which you will be wearing the casual shoes. For example, a pair of lace-up loafers are great with your khakis for an evening BBQ, but will not be the right footwear for your day at the beach. For your surf and sun outings, look for a pair of casual sandals, like Tevas or canvas sneakers like Vans.
* Shoe Materials: Keep in mind that you can get casual shoes in a wide variety of materials: leather, buckskin, suede, canvas and synthetics just to name a few. Leather shoes will hold their shape well and protect your feet from the elements; they also polish up nicely. On the other hand, if you want to wear them to the beach, consider a water-friendly synthetic. Like to throw them in the washing machine after you muck them up? Go for canvas, and avoid white! If your shoes are constructed of multiple materials, make sure you learn how to best care for them.
* Construction and Craftsmanship of your Shoes: Make sure that the finishing is even and neat and that the joints -- between the uppers and the sides and between the sides and the soles -- are even and that the stitching is neat. Polyester-based thread is typically stronger than cotton-based threads and withstand weathering from moisture and damp very well.
* Comfort: Comfort is paramount in men's casual shoes. Buy a pair that feels comfortable right from the start. Shoes do stretch and expand with time, but an uncomfortable pair is likely to change dramatically.
