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Posts Tagged ‘Shoes’
Sun, November 2, 2008 8:41 am By James Coolridge
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Will you believe if I say that shoes are as important a part of your attire as your clothing?? Well, they are! For some of us it may be just a covering we use for the feet but they add a lot of life to what we wear and look as well. I do agree that men don’t attach the same mystic with shoes as women do but if you are really concerned about your style, then here are some tips that’ll help you pick the right pair for every occasion and clothing.
Get your feet measured!
The first step towards buying the right pair is getting your feet measured. In order to do so, you can get it done by a trained professional using a Brannock device. Most men end up wearing the wrong size because they haven’t got their feet measured since their high school days. And this eventually makes them get worn out early too. Getting your feet measured will include knowing the width, the toe length and the arch length. Some men with wide feet are not even aware that they need a wider shoe.
Comfort!
Comfort is one of the major factors that we all go for while buying shoes for ourselves. Always remember that we tend to take at least 4000 steps in a single day so it becomes imperative to pick a pair which can comfortably carry us through the day. Hence shoes with a thick sole are recommended for the same along with a sturdy insole. The heels play yet another important role in a shoe. You should make sure that heels are of proper size so that it does not affect your natural gait. If the heels are over sized, then your foot is going to be in trouble for sure.
Quality of the leather!
Shoes are an accessory that you get worth the money you pay for. So you can be assured that the quality you pay for will certainly come to you. Now the question is to know about the quality of the leather. Ideally its quality is graded from one to five. A thumb rule for men who are office goers and pay great attention to their personal style, should go in for the best quality leather. For those who are not aware, quality leather will have a smooth, fine grain finish with minimum blemishes. It will certainly be higher in price but well worth the investment.
So now that you know how to buy the perfect pair for yourself and how, I’m sure the next time you go to buy one, you’ll be more confident and know which pair to exactly go in for. So until then, be good and happy shopping!
Tags: Shoes, Style, style tips, How to buy shoes, tips to buy shoes, style tips for shoes
Sun, October 26, 2008 8:09 am By James Coolridge
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Being economic in your life is good but being stylish yet not affecting your pocket means to be an art which few know. But nowadays it is a necessity as per the growing fashion and the standard of living is increasing from time to time. You just need to be careful while styling-
1. Wear more color- you should have more colour in your wardrobe. This is one thing which is the first answer given by the stylists. Adding colour make you look more lively and vibrant than the neutral tones. You can support a wearing a brightly colored t-shirt under a v-neck sweater, or sporting a new shirt or sweater is just a matter of giving a change to your daily style. A change is always good, if carried off well.
Note: shopping sales are just another smart way to cut down your expenses for a new sweater or a shirt. Just keep your eyes peeled.
2. Seek out a new pair of glasses/sunglasses-glasses are a great way to express yourself, after all its your face. For a very casual look you could simply be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but with the right glasses you suddenly look fashion savvy. You can a have a pair or two of the glasses one which is bold and the other a subdued one, which can go with your outfit and mood.
Note: if you don’t wear glasses, sunglasses can really add a dash of style to your personality as it is counted as one of the best fashion accessories.
3. Sport yourself with one or two super pieces- if you can afford, do buy a classy, elegant or simply a great piece in your closet which you may think will really keep you looking stylish. This may be a cool sport coat, a leather jacket or an awesome pair of jeans that really show off your assets.
4. Treat yourself with a fancy belt- it can really cool and elaborated with a big buckle and can steal the show. This is one inexpensive accessory you can sport which can add to your style statement.
5. Avoid tattered shoes- it is an instant turn off. Either get a shoe shine or buy a new pair altogether. Just keep them looking at their best-as its said “A real gentleman can be judged by his shoes.”
6. Going groovy over watches- since men doesn’t have much to spend on lot of jewelry they can really go for watches which suits their personality and as it is a great way to express yourself as well as liven up your look.
But do not let your limited budget limit your style. Its a law of universe that first impression is the last impression so why not put your odds in your favor?
Tags: Jeans, Shoes, Color, Accessories, Style, watches, glasses
Sun, August 3, 2008 5:55 am By James Coolridge
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More and more professions and corporations are having casual Fridays at the office. It has become one of the most accepted trends in the workforce today. Going to work everyday in the same old black business suit can tend to get monotonous. That’s why so many Americans can’t wait until it is Friday. What you wear at the office on Fridays says a lot about you and your individuality.
Here are a few tips that can make you look stylish and chic even in casual attire.
Shirt: You can start with choosing the right type of shirt. The proper and most popular shirt for casual Fridays is a polo shirt also known as golf shirts. They come in a variety of colors. Make sure that your polo shirt is clean and pressed, not faded or bleached, and of higher quality material. It must be tucked in the pants. This will give you that fresh, clean look all day long. If you don’t like the tee look, try wearing a button down collar shirt. An alternative to the polo or golf shirt is a classic pale blue slightly striped dress shirt which can be worn with an open collar and a white crew neck undershirt.
Slacks: While khakis are normally acceptable for slacks, a black or navy pressed, non-faded dress slacks is the perfect choice to make a good first impression. You can also go for twill or worsted wool dress slacks. As a substitute to twill or worsted wool, you can try gabardine trousers which though slightly heavier in weight appeal on the body when they drape. If you company allows you can also try your luck with the black or blue jeans. But try not to make a habit of wearing them on all Fridays.
Tie: Casual Fridays are a good time to wear a conversational tie. You can take out the so called “loud” ties that you would normally not wear to office. Fridays are the right time to wear your Bugsy bunny ties. If you rather wear only conservative ties, make an attempt at wearing a pink or very bright colored tie or polka dot tie.
Shoes: When it comes to shoes and socks, loafers are the perfect choice. They go well especially when you decide to wear dress slacks and pants. When you are wearing jeans, all white K-Swiss is the perfect choice. They’re shiny, stylish, and very comfortable. Your socks should match either the shirt or the pants you are wearing. Don’t attempt to mix-match.
Sports jacket: To finish, try wearing a sports jacket. A navy blue or black, two button sports jacket goes well with any outfit including jeans.
If you keep in mind the following advice, you should be well on your way to looking sleek and stylish when casual Friday arrives.
Tags: Shoes, Ties, Shirts, Men's fashion, Casual dressing, polo shirts, slacks, sports jacket
Mon, June 9, 2008 10:42 am By James Coolridge
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Today Barker Shoes are regarded in the English shoe industry as one of the world’s finest producers. They sell domestically and export a growing number of pairs internationally to cater for a growing foreign demand. Barker Shoes represent one of around twelve or so select niche English shoemakers that operate in Northamptonshire; other well-known manufacturers in the area include Church’s, Loake and Grenson Shoes. To understand how and why Barker Shoes are such high quality, it is worth noting the history of the brand and the philosophy behind the company.
The beginnings of the Barker shoes brand dates back to 1880 when Arthur Barker, a skilled boot maker, started employing craftsmen from the surrounding villages to help expand production of his ever-popular peg-sole boots. At the turn of the century, Arthur Barker invested in a factory premises and was later rewarded with the contract to supply the British Army with boots for the First World War. The Barker Shoes brand increased in strength and popularity on an ongoing basis throughout the first half of the 20th Century and to an extent that a new factory was constructed in 1947 to expand production, including a new line of Men’s shoes.
The Barker Brand itself set up a dedicated sales company in 1950 to sell directly to retailers. The Philosophy of Arthur Barker was an insistence that the traditional shoe styles, such as brogue and oxford shoes, need not be old-fashioned. It is easy to see from the current collections that this philosophy has been and continues to remain at the heart of their shoe design team. Each of the Barker Shoe collections contains a superb mix of traditional designs and contemporary takes on traditional designs. Barker has also made a distinct effort in recent years to produce contemporary design shoes, but in a way that reflects the traditional English shoemaking methods and quality.
Currently, Barker Shoes craft over 200,000 pairs annually. They can only manage this by having one of the most sophisticated shoe production facilities worldwide. Their current site was constructed from local Northamptonshire brick and stone and is located near the village of Earl’s Barton. The factory was designed with innovation in mind. Examples of these features include vast windows that enable large amounts of natural light to enter the craft area which is vital for leather colour grading.
Barker Shoes have maintained their position as one of the leading English shoe brands by staying true to the original philosophy on which the company was started well over a century ago. Today you can find their shoes in select shops and online retailers.
Tags: Shoes, brand, baker, footwear, Arthur Baker, English
Tue, June 3, 2008 12:54 pm By James Coolridge
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Sometimes simple things can be simply perfect and extraordinary, it is the same case with wonderful flip flop sandals. They do not have any pleasing appearance when compared to other swanky footwear. Sliding on them is very easy thereby we get extreme comfort as well. Flip flops are the most comfortable and simple form of footwear. They are usually considered as casual wear which are worn to lounge and to relax. This article will guide you to know about the comforts and style aspects of flip-flops as a perfect summer shoe.
Earlier such footwear was usually intended for domestic purposes, moreover related with beach and swimming pools. However, with the passing time the purpose of using flip flops changed and they now stand as one of the sexy shoes for women. Nowadays, with respect to the desire and necessities flip flops range from sporty to dressy purposes.
‘Flip flops’, usually are designed of rubber sole that is attached on the foot by a V-shaped strap that runs across the sides of the foot passing the big toe and the toe followed by the big toe. They are Flat, backless footwear with flat soles that gain utmost comfort style to wearer by keeping them in style they want. Being easy to slip-on and off is just one of the lovely attributes of flip flops that make everyone crazy about them.
Most people prefer wearing them in summer and spring months as they are ideal in terms of comfort and fashion as well. But in recent days, manufacturers are designing flip-flops according to the wearer’s style and comfort obligations. So now one can find them with more alluring adornments and also embellished with jewelry, rhinestones and various hues to charm your appearance.
As you know already about Platform shoes that they are extremely stylish in appearance at the same time won’t compromise in comfort giving aspects. You can get an incredible height and look. They assure you a perfect stride and complete balance. So imagine flip-flop in platform shoe model? The blend of flip flops with platforms makes it possible for the wearer to get unrivaled comfort and gorgeous look. Platform flip flops are nothing but the combination of style and comfort. They are extremely comfortable and stylish enough to create an alluring appeal among men. So, gain a ravishing appearance with any cute pair of this footwear and steal the show.
Tags: Flip Flops, Shoes, platform
Wed, May 28, 2008 12:45 pm By James Coolridge
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Hiking is one of the most adventurous sports. The trip undoubtedly requires the right pair of shoes to make the whole trip whole trip enjoyable, safe and most importantly, thrilling. A good pair of hiking shoes is costlier but it would make no sense to purchase an expensive pair if you don’t give the proper care and maintenance it deserves. Here is how to clean your hiking boots after returning from hiking.
The cleaning process:
After a long hiking trip, you will step into your home with your hiking boots completely bathed in mud and dirt. So, the very first things to do are to completely clean and wash your boots. Take the stones out of the bottom of the soles and remove all the mud. If your shoes are made of fibre you can clean the dirt using water and soap. But if the boots are made of leather, you should be very careful when you clean them. Leather shoes get easily damaged by the action of water and the soap can even weaken the material by sucking all the oil present in it. So, just clean that portion of shoes where mud is stuck with water ONLY, no soap.
The drying process:
After cleaning the shoes, it is time to dry them. Put them out in the open air. Remember, “Complete dryness” is the key word! You should completely dry the shoes otherwise the shoes will become a host for the growth of fungi and bacteria that will make for smelly boots and itchy feet.
The waterproofing process:
After the shoes are completely dry, you should waterproof your boots. Now here is an important thing to keep in mind- the type of waterproofing products that will suit your boots. Some boots require a water based wax whereas other boots should be waterproofed using a paste based wax. You should consult the manufacturer’s manual guide before waterproofing the shoes. So whatever waterproofing product you use, make sure that you don’t overdo it because excess waxing will ruin the material.
The conditioning process:
Last but not the least, follow the conditioning process. If the boots are made of leather, conditioning becomes vital to prevent leather from becoming dry and stiff. Use conditioners available in the paste form. Apply the paste with your fingers gently so that the paste soaks into the leather.
Tags: Shoes, leather, odour, hiking
Tue, May 27, 2008 12:51 pm By James Coolridge
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Fashion sneakers are hassle free, very trendy and a great comfort to wear, which give you the perfect sporty look. The market is flooded with a remarkable variety of trendy sneakers. This makes the right choice a real cumbersome job. And if shopping is not your cup of tea, you may end up in a terrible choice! After all, it is the matter of your comfort! So here we are to clear all your confusion and help you to make the perfect choice of the sneakers.
Athletic sneakers:
These sneakers are based on the type of sports activity you are involved in. If you are a tennis player, go for tennis sneakers. Same applies to other sports including soccer, basketball, hiking, skate etc. Ask the retailer to display the sneakers which are specially made for the sports you play. When you look at a couple of pairs of the sneakers, make sure that the sneakers provide your feet the necessary support and cushion effect.
Casual sneakers:
These are suited both for men and women are come with the most comfy features. Most of the casual shoes are made up with canvas, while many other casual sneakers are made of suede leather on the upper part to give more breath ability and softness.
Dance sneakers:
Good amount of flexibility and great comfort during the dance movements is demanded by the dancers which are fulfilled by the variety of dance sneakers crowding the market. Nowadays sneakers are designed with innovations such as the Dynamic Resistance Technology which makes use of light weight materials like sleek leather. The leather finds its place in the upper portion of the sneaker providing good breath ability to the feet with comfort. The smooth spin circles located in the sneakers facilitate effortless turns and the finger notches in the heels provide the confident lifts.
Tags: Shoes, athletic, dance, casual. Sneakers
Fri, April 4, 2008 8:23 am By James Coolridge
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Are you planning to build a new wardrobe? If yes, then put in a number of versatile pieces together to create your perfect clothing line. Here are a few tips to consider when choosing the important parts of your wardrobe including shoes, pants, belts and shirts.
Shoes:
Purchase at least four pairs of shoes- a pair for exercise, casual sneakers, black boots and brown dress shoes. Prefer a pair of black, grey or blue sneakers. A cap toe or a wing tip brown shoes if fine.
Pants:
I would not suggest you baggy fit when you shop for a pair of jeans. Ultra-tight jeans are flop. Dark blue jeans with a soft wash are preferable. Talking about pants, it should well fit your waist. The cuff of the leg should not bunch up around your shoe; it should stop right where the sole starts on your shoes.
Belts:
Keep it simple- buy a plain black or brown leather belt.
Shirts:
Polos are good choice. Rugby stripes are also fine. Use white t-shirts as undershirts. Shop for a few pullover hooded shirts as well.
Tags: Jeans, Shoes, Pants, Shirts, Polos
Tue, March 25, 2008 9:25 am By James Coolridge
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When we see a smartly dressed man we have a perception of him as a smart, intelligent and well educated person. Clothes have the ability to create first impressions- good or bad. Here is a checklist for you to judge yourself as a smartly dressed man. Go on, its time for some introspection!
Do your clothes fit?
Clothes that are too big or are ill fitting will not only make you look larger they will hide your assets and accentuate figure flaws. Jackets, pants and shirts should be tailored to fit a person’s body measurements.
Does the color of the shirt suit you?
Color is one of the most important aspects of looking great. The wrong color will make your skin look dull, lines and wrinkles more apparent and dark circles darker. The right colors will make skin look radiant, eyes will sparkle and lines, wrinkles and dark circles less noticeable.
Do you have a good pair of shoes?
An ill-fitting, dirty or shabby pair of shoe ruins the most perfectly dressed look. Your shoes must also suit your outfit in color, weight and occasion. A regular care and maintenance is a must.
Do you carry yourself with a great attitude?
Wearing an Armani will do no good if you walk like a zombie. Knowing how to look your best will create more opportunities but a great attitude - being able to get along with others, a pleasant personality and charm - is the driving force that will make you shine.
Tags: Shoes, Length, Fit, Color, texture, match, Suit
Fri, March 21, 2008 6:11 am By James Coolridge
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The billion dollar fashion industry isn’t just “inner beauty”. So get the 10 most essential “things to do” in your head. For good!
1. Always put quality before quantity. The more is always not the good.
2. Don’t think that your personal style statement is any “personal”. You are judged by the way you dress.
3. Solid and dark colors are slimming and commanding.
4. Being abreast with the latest fashion is good, but classic styles always work.
5. Always wear a tie neatly and in place.
6. Designer clothes (read brands) do not always guarantee great looks.
7. Always take the occasion in consideration before picking an outfit.
8. Shoes should always match your belt.
9. Keep you should well maintained.
10. When it comes to fragrance, little is always more.
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