Leather shoes are one of crucial elements of business fashion. Paying attention to your shoes with the same care as your suits and jackets can make sophisticated impression, build trust and enhance your style to the next level.
While leather shoes are worn in business occasion often, you may still wonder which pair is right for you in terms of purpose and visual style.
In this issue, we’ll introduce key points for selecting leather shoes by style and occasion.
A quick guide to the basic styles of leather shoes
When choosing leather shoes, it’s important to choose a style that matches the occasion. Different types of leather shoes and features cater to various formal and business occasions. Here're some common styles of leather shoes.
Difference between Oxford and Derby style
There are 2 styles of leather shoes with laces; Oxford and Derby. These 2 styles are different in details and that makes a drastic difference in terms of look.
Here’re the differences between the 2 types of leather shoes with laces, their characteristics and uses.
■Oxford (Balmoral) style
This style is called ‘Oxford’ abd it is distinct by the eyelets which are called 'facing'. It features closed lacing so the facing is integrated with the upper part of the shoe so it doesn’t open wide. It’s considered a more formal style than the other Derby style.
The history of the Oxford design goes back to the British royal family. It’s a historical style and the design is simple, clean and gives a solid impression. Therefore, it’s suitable for formal occasions such as weddings and formal events.
■Derby (Blucher) style
Derby style has quarters sewn on top of the vamp and features open lacing so that the facing can be opened widely. The design is more casual compared to Oxford style.
Because facing opens, it’s easy to put on and off and the fit can be adjusted with the lace. It’s suitable if you’re in sales or business.
The toe design can significantly impact the impression it makes
Cap toe
These leather shoes has the horizontal stitching on the toe box that runs from the welt on one side to the other. Black cap toe is the most formal item and can be used for weddings and other special events. Oxford shoes are considered more formal while Derby shoes can be worn in business setting with ease.
Plain toe
Plain toe shoe is characterized by a smooth surface and seam-free upper area. They can be worn with formal attire, except morning dress. It’s a versatile choice and good for business as well.
In general, plain-toes are in Derby style. Plain-toe shoes in Oxford style are formal and more pricey as it requires high level craftsmanship when it’s produced.
Monk strap
A monk shoe is a leather or suede shoe that has a buckle fastening instead of shoelaces, giving it a sophisticated look. There are 2 types of Monk shoes: single or double buckle. It’s ideal for business and semi-formal occasions due to its elegant yet slightly less formal appearance. Monk shoes offer a combination of traditional design and modern style, making them good choice for those who are seeking to add individuality to their footwear. It is said that the design of monk shoes originates from the footwear worn by monks in medieval Europe and has evolved into a sophisticated design over its long history.
Toe shape
When choosing leather shoes, the shape of a shoe's toe significantly impacts its overall design and the impression it makes. Different toe shapes, from a round toe which has a softly rounded shape to square toe that has a classic look, can create diverse visual impressions in footwear. Choosing the right toe shape in footwear for the right occasion can enhance the appearance of your feet and make them look more sophisticated.
Round toe
Round toe is a timeless design, has shape that makes a soft impression, its appearance can be influenced by its volume.
A voluminous round toe enhances the rounded shape and gives it a more casual and friendly impression.
As for a basic round toe, it has a clean, minimal look. The volume of this basic round toe is relatively small, which makes it a versatile design that can easily fit for formal occasions.
Square toe
A square toe has a straight, angular front shape, its appearance can be influenced by its design.
Sharp square toes are characterized by a more straight shape and edgy design. It adds a sharpness to a overall look and easy to match with various stylish outfits.
The classic square toe has slightly rounded corners and gives a softness to the appearance. This design has a traditional feel and is a common feature in both business and dress shoes that fits in formal occasions!
How to choose the right size shoes
Leather shoes generally have some extra room at the toe so even if the shoe size is almost same size as your foot, it should fits comfortably.
As a general guideline, we recommend that you choose leather shoes approximately 1.0 to 1.5 cm smaller than your sneaker size that you usually wear.
Choosing a shoe color
Black and dark brown are commonly considered standard colors for business attire.
Black shoes are great a standard look. It’s easy to match with all kinds of suits and is generally considered formal.
Dark brown makes slightly softer and more sophisticated impression. It also goes well with navy and gray suits.
AOKI GLOBAL leather shoes are durable enough for business and comfortable enough for everyday wear. Since they are made from Japanese high-quality leather, they can last for a long period of time with proper care. We are planning to introduce details on how to care for leather shoes in a separate article in the future.
