5 SHOES YOU SHOULD HAVE UNDER 25 AS EKASI MODERN MAN
All my life I’ve been surrounded by fashion icons. One of
the greatest fashion icons I know happens to be my grandmother. She once said to me “ you can
tell a lot about a man by looking at his shoes & his garden”( if he has
one).
Those words were encrypted within me,even today when I go
shopping for shoes. I make sure I pick the best shoes. I ‘ve seen a lot of
young men who are well dressed but are wearing low quality shoes. To be honest
I can’t even compliment guys who do that because they dissapoint me. I mean you
pay attention to your clothes but don’t pay attention to your shoes. It doesn’t
work like that ; what you do on the right you also do on the left, it’s called balancing. So you can’t be wearing a suit that
costs R2000 and wear shoes that cost R300. That's a definite NO NO!!!!!!!!
At 18 you are most likely to be done with school and at 21
you are most likely to start your first job because you are most likely to be
done with varsity. At 20 you should be already thinking like a 25 year old. I
am quite sure you don’t want to go for your first interview wearing Nike Jordan 5 low, if you are then you are
not serious about life. There's nothing wrong with loving sneakers but at some point in your life you will realise that some scenarios don't require sneakers. I have friends who love sneakers to the core but I always encourage them to also have shoes as part of their shoe collection. Growing up is about doing things we don't like. That's why it's called growing up get it?
Remember that first impressions count and most importantly
they last. Another important factor that you should always remember as a young black man is, people are already
expecting you to F@*k up, so don’t be that guy.
So forget about investing in trends and start investing in
timeless style!
Shoes that will still be in a good condition after 10 years,
now that’s an investment.
Here are 5 shoes
you should have under 25
1. The Loafer
The loafer is basically a slip on shoe. They are different kinds of loafers, there's tassel loafers, penny loafers and casual loafers. The one above is the tasselled loafer, best worn with formal clothing. With a shoe like this you have already got the attention you need in that interview, business meeting. Trust me when I say this is an investment.
They also come in suede just in case you are invited to a Gala dinner to get an award for young entrepreneur of the year.
The Penny Loafer
The penny loafer is also a formal shoe but you can definitely play around with it, maybe wear it with jeans or with a short.
The Tasselled Penny
To be honest I wish I could say to you buy them all because once you know the comfort that these shoes possess, you will be known as the guy who wears loafers. It will be your new addiction and if they have been your addiction then make sure you keep feeding that addiction.
The Casual Loafer
This is something that you think you don't need, but you actually need it.
The casual loafer is a killer when paired with colourful shorts, a Ralph Lauren Polo golfer and throw back a jersey. The loafer was specifically made for Spring and Summer, not to say you can't wear them in Autumn(wear them well so it can be an acception to the people who know the rules of dressing up). But you can't wear them in Winter, they're strictly Spring/Summer shoes.
Don't worry leather freaks, they also come in leather. So you have no excuse not to get them.
2. The Brogue
Broguing is a pattern and when it comes to shoes that are Brogued, it basically means they have a Brogue pattern. They are different kinds of Brogued shoes.
The Derby Brogue
This is the Derby Brogue. The Derby Brogue breaks its pattern after the laces. As you can see on the picture above and the one below, the pattern doesn't continue below the laces. So in layman's terms the Derby Brogues are semi Brogued.
The Oxford Brogue
The Oxford Brogue is fully Brogued, the pattern still continues below the laces. So that's the difference between them. Make sure you don't confuse them because they are similar to each other.
Brogues were specifically made for Spring, but I still wear my Oxford Brogue shoes in Winter. They're warm and comfortable so i can't resist them. In this game of fashion it's okay to break the rules if you will do it properly.
They also come in Suede
As a man you should at least have one pair of Black shoes. It's the right thing to do.
3. The Sneaker
This is also something you think you don't need,but actually you do need it. I know they're some people that really don't like sneakers but this is one of those situations whereby you also need to grow up. It's very essential to have a pair. I mean you can't be seen in a club on a Friday wearing shoes!!! why would you do that when they're sneakers made specially for being comfortable,after you take off your favourite pair of shoes.
With sneakers you need to get the basics right. The first basic is, a White sneaker and the second basic is you need to have a Black sneaker.
The White Sneaker
I know that a lot of people are in love with Converse All Star and it's a quality sneaker but for some reason I just can't buy it. Every time I am willing to buy the shoe, I always buy something else. I guess it's a love hate thing. (Big sigh)
Adidas by Stan Smith is something you should consider.
I believe I only screw with the best, and the Classic all White 574 By New Balance is what you would see me wearing.
Classic 574 New Balance
The Black Sneaker
The Classic all Black 574 with White soles by New Balance.
Diesel is known to be brave and it does take a bold and brave man to be seen in these killer shoes. Best believe that I only screw with the best. (Laughing Out Loud)
Zara Homme, these are what I call the epitome of classy sneakers.
The Colourful Sneaker
I know that some of you are to cool to wear one coloured sneakers. So here are some of the sneakers that will make you buzz.
Techmerino by Ermenegildo Zegna. This right here is for grown ups.
P001 by Bottega Veneta. This is also for grown ups.
The Best !!!!! 574 by New Balance
Guys you need to understand that New Balance is taking over and if you haven't jumped on then you need to.
4. The Boat shoe
This is probably the most comfortable shoe after sneakers. The comfortablity makes me want to get more. Another thing that excites me about boat shoes, are the manufactures that produce these shoes. Companies with good reputations when it comes to craftsmanship. The likes of Sebago, Timberland, Sperry and Lacoste are the masters of boat shoes.
Sebago Docksides
This shoe is one versitile shoe. You can either wear them with socks or you wear them with secret socks to pull of the sock less look. I personally prefer to wear them with secret socks.
Sperry Top Sider
Lacoste
Lacoste Bateau
These shoes were specifically made for Spring and Summer. You can wear them in Autumn,depending on how you wear them. Personally I feel that boat shoes in Spring/Summer are a must have.
5. The Derby
Last but not least is the Derby. This style is characterised by quarters with shoelace eyelets that are sewn on top of the vamp. This construction method, also known as open lacing. So in layman's terms Derby means laced shoes.
This is a must have because as a man you need to have shoes with laces. It's just the right thing to have.
We have touched a bit on the Derby when we were differentiating the Derby Brogue and the Oxford Brogue.
One thing I really love about Derby shoes is the fact that you can lace them according to how you want them, tight or loose. I love mine tight because it's a solid shoe and it takes the shape of my feet. I also love the fact that I can wear them the way I want, sock less or with socks.
For men who do wear platform shoes.
The sock less look.
Ultimate sophistication
These are the 5 shoes you should have before 25. Invest in shoes that you will show to your grandchildren, quality goes a long way. The choices that we make in our early 20's are the choices we will live up to in our early 40's. So we need to make the right choices from style, investments and relationships with our families and friends.
Here are some shops where you could find these shoes.
Preview Designer Collection
Sandton City shop number U40
Tel: 011 884 0401/2
East Gate Shopping centre shop number L76 A
Tel: 011 615 7171
Mon to Sat : 9am - 8pm
Sun : 9am - 6pm
New Balance Concept Store
Menlyn Shopping centre Shop Number 2.02
Tel: 012 348 1981
Diesel
Sandton City Shop number U3
Tel: 011 783 0882
Woodmead Value Mart shop number G07
Tel: 011 804 5857
