Molly Bloom knows style

Guys, we need to talk. It’s about your shoes.

The rule used to be that a gentleman needed one pair each of black, brown and navy blue shoes, plus a formal pair for tuxedos as well as any resort or athletic needs. That color rule was lost somewhere along the way to Casual Friday, but the numbers hold true.

There are oodles of casual-to-upscale shoes on the market. Of note for the laid-back office dweller is what I call the hybrid. Hybrids are casual shoes with an athletic appeal. You wouldn’t hit the courts in these, but you will look hip at the office or bar if you pair these with jeans or pants.

Unless you’re at the gym, take off the athletic shoes. It’s not a good look, especially if your blaring white kicks are sticking out from dark jeans. A friend of mine went on a few dates with a guy but could not get past his white gym shoes. I don’t blame her.

Now I know you love that one pair of shoes, but don’t wear them every day. Wearing the same shoes is boring, makes them wear out quickly and brings the stink. Make your “most often worn” shoes the ones that have the best construction, seem the most durable and are the most comfortable. It’s OK to buy a second pair in the same style or brand but in a different color.

If you haven’t been measured for shoes for a while, it’s a good idea to do so. Feet can grow bigger or wider as we grow older, and sometimes we don’t realize the reason we hate all our shoes is that they don’t fit right. Keep in mind that feet are smallest in the morning but tend to swell as the day goes on or with lots of walking. Try on shoes at lunchtime for a happy medium.

Dress shoes are important, but if you aren’t wearing a suit every day these are your special occasion shoes. Don’t buy the cheapest dress shoes you can find and don’t wear with a tuxedo the same pair you bought for college graduation, either. These shoes don’t have to be as durable (read: expensive) as the shoes you wear to work or play, but they should be stylish. Trust me, your date will notice.

If you invest in a nice pair of leather shoes, keep up the maintenance and earn return on the investment. Have them polished, change frayed laces and get the soles replaced once they wear thin or become unbalanced. It’s a lot cheaper than a new buying a new pair. Classic, well-made shoes can last a decade or longer.

Realistically, three pairs of everyday shoes (plus athletic or special occasion kicks) is still a good rule. I don’t expect you to go into debt with a new shoe addiction. But when you see shoes you like, buy them. There is something sexy about a well-heeled man.