Mens Shoes.

           

                                                               MENS SHOES.

Man has worn shoes for many years, it is thought that a pair of sandals found in Fort Rock Cave, Oregon in the USA, may be the first shoes known to us, and are from around the year 5000 B.C.
Shoes of different types are widely available in todays market. Many years ago we would of had to made do, with what was invented and available, using materials found.
In the past shoes were used to protect our feet from the rocks and other uncomfortable surfaces. Today this is still true as well as also being worn for decoration. In the picture below is the first leather shoe, found in a cave in Armenia, believed to be from the year 3500BC, that is about 5500 years old. This shoe is made using a single piece of cowhide, which is laced front and rear along the seams with leather laces.
                                               
Today there are many specialist shoe manufacturers and designers. There are some very good designers from the United Kingdom designing shoes for the man, such  as John Lobb, Church`s, Crockett & Jones. Some designers are from the continent, like Italian, Salvatore Ferragamo.Also Louis Vuitton (pic.below), this shoe is made using Alligator skin and costs around $10000.
                                  
Many different types and styles of footwear are available :
Athletic Sports shoe, Boots, Brogue, Canvas, Derby, Loafers, Monk Straps, Oxfords, Slip On`s.
                       
Lots of styles are available, like, Brogues, Patterned, Plain, Toe Caps.

Dress Shoes are characterized by having leather uppers and leather soles with sleekness in shape.

Casual Shoes are characterised by having leather uppers and man made soles and chunky in shape.

                                                                                                 

Personal favorite shoes and boots are:

Athletic shoes : Adidas ZX, Nike Shox, Nike Air Max.

Casual Shoes : Timberland, Rockport,

Dress Shoes : John Lobb, Church`s, Testoni, Stefano Bemer.

Casual Boots : Hunter, Timberland, Dr Martens.

Dress Boots : Salvatore Ferragamo, Cesare Paciotti, Berluti.

                                                                               

Shoes and Boots can be made from a range of man made materials, and also natural materials which are sourced from around the world. This helps the worlds finest designers to create new and innovative footwear for gents to wear around the globe. Todays Gentleman can choose from a variety of shoes and boots available in shops nationally.

            
Gents shoes & boots are made from all kinds of materials, i have listed some of the natural skins that are used today in the manufacture of some boots and shoes :
                 - Alligator skin
                 - Crocodile skin
                 - Snake skin
                 - Lizard skin
                 - Ostrich skin
Other skins which are used for shoe making include Fish, Shark and Deer skin, amongst other animals..

The materials used to make the shoes, obviously plays a part in the bigger picture, of cost, to produce a pair of shoes. Although most shoes nowadays are made by machine and mass produced, there are still hand made shoe factories using skilled craftmanship, and where shoes are made to order, with measuring being done to ensure a proper fit. This is a must as shoes which look good, but hurt your feet, are not going to be worn. Shoes that fit comfortably and  look good, are the shoes that you will wear. Comfort & Style.
                                               
When choosing a shoe, first decide what type of shoe you require, maybe for sports or maybe for walking, once decided the next step is the style and colour. After this you can trip the light fantastic in your new clobber and footwear. Remember, clothes need shoes that match, it completes the look. Fab.
                            

Special purpose footwear such as Sport Specific Shoes and Boots have unique brands, concentrating on such markets as specifically designed for (mountaineering), others designs which may suit a broader  marketing, concentrate on the likes of Athletic shoes which have far more designers offering shoes in the collection.

                                                                                   

There have been collabarations, where clothing designers have a partnership with a sports company or other brand, and release shoes or boots that have both designer and brand influences, in the same pair of shoes or boots, these are for many different purposes, from boxing to running or for dress or casual wear. Timberland collaborates with Mastermind Japan, redesigning the 6 inch original boot in standard wheat colour, wth detailed finishings.


Designer Yohji Yamamoto has collabrated with sports fashion group Adidas, nice outcome.

Many other fashion designers have been involved in collaborative designs. 

Do you have a favorite shoe or boot ?

Which shoe or boot would you like to own ?

What colour of shoe do you like best ?

Who is your favorite shoe or boot designer ?

When buying shoes or boots, there are many different designers styles available, but remember if they look good, they need to fit well, comfort is a must, as is style.