In our contemporary culture, it seems that men, in general, are paying more attention to what they're wearing. After the metrosexual boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s, a trickle down effect occurred where men became slightly more comfortable with addressing fashion and their personal style publicly. But with the menswear fashion world being as fabulously confusing as it is -- full of man-buns, overly groomed mustaches, and rappers moonlighting as designers -- it makes sense that the average guy still struggles with putting a coherent look together.We know it isn't all about your looks, but the truth is if you're a guy in his mid to late-twenties looking to find a woman companion beyond a Tinder hook up, you might want to make sure your "look" isn't hindering your game. Whether or not we will admit it, women are constantly judging men on their appearance, just as you judge us. We don't want a dude who is spending more time and money on his personal appearance than we are because it makes us feel insecure, and frankly, we're not looking to be outshined. On the other hand, the whole I don't give a shit if my shirt has pit stains look is really only working for a few guys who are lead singers in rock bands. The general population of young men fall somewhere in the middle, and the reality is, like with most things, moderation and self-awareness is key.
So, you want to make a change, but you're not looking to go on a shopping spree makeover a la Clueless. Well, there's a universal truth that you should know: Women hate your shoes. It's a not-so-secret girls have shared forever. We are very aware that most single men struggle with wearing aesthetically pleasing footwear, and that in most cases, you went off to college with two pairs of shoes, a pair of sneakers and tight, stiff loafers (saved strictly for funerals and job interviews), and have never thought about replacing either pair since. Women notice this, as we avert our eyes from the festering garbage heap below your ankles. Wearing a pair of cool, newish sneakers says to us I'm slightly mature and put thought into this, but not too much thought -- and since sneakers are comfortable, it's an agreeable choice of footwear for both parties.If you're lazy or don't have an expendable income and want to change your everyday appearance to be more appealing to the opposite sex, the quickest and easiest way is by finding a new pair of sneakers that make sense for you. It requires no formal shopping experience and can be pretty quick and easy if you know what you're looking for. DSW will deliver to your door for free on purchases over $35. You can also order online and pick up at your favoriteDSW Store. so if you know your shoe size you don't even need to get off the couch. We know there's now more choices in menswear than ever before and it can be overwhelming, so here's a guide to help you find the sneaker that will work well for you and your potential next date.
KEEP IT CLEANAs our culture is becoming more casual, it's not uncommon to see a stylish dude pairing sneakers with a suit -- JFK did it, and now so does David Beckham. Don't misunderstand this for wearing your gym shoes to the next wedding you attend, there's a sliding scale of wearability involved here. Though sneakers are becoming a more all-encompassing type of footwear, how clean they are dictates how socially acceptable they are to wear for more fanciful occasions. If you're hoping to meet someone while out at a place that has a menu full specialty cocktails that require more than five ingredients, make sure your footwear isn't stained with a pinkish glow from the jungle juice your roommate vomited on you from the night before. If you live in a city or are susceptible to spills, avoid the all white sneaker and opt for black or another deep hue. Also, most sneakers are easy to clean, requiring a very low commitment to maintenance that shouldn't take much longer than shaving, so go ahead and take the initiative.CLASSIC LASTS LONGERIf you're on a budget and hoping to get some longevity out of your next pair of sneakers, stick to the classics. It's silly to think about, but what you choose to put on your feet says a lot about your personality -- meaning that unless you are a chef at work, there's no reason to rock crocs to a dinner party. On the other hand, a pair of Lacoste Grand Vulc's may subtly suggest you enjoy a nice glass of wine every once and awhile. Also:- ASICS always remind us of guys who play drums in garage-rock bands.- Vans imply you might ride a board of some type: skateboard, surfboard, snowboard.- Pumas give off Euro-cool vibes.- Sperry is synonymous with preppy boat culture.- And more generally, mid-tops say streetwear and slip-ons suggest a more leisurely lifestyle, for example.Give a little thought into the brand you're picking and what it might mean to the girl you're checking out from across the bar.ON TRENDA lot of you may feel uncomfortable expressing yourself through shoes -- fair enough. The fall back plan is to pick a pair that are currently on trend. Runners and trainers have made a comeback: Nike, Adidas, and New Balance, for instance, have enjoyed recent spotlight attention from the fashion world. Suede sneakers are now in style again, as long as you feel you're sophisticated enough to pull them off, and the classic Converse Chuck Taylors are having a comeback in all the cool-kid crowds. Just make sure you aren't buying the off-brand knock-off versions of any of these, we will immediately notice and your entire operation will be shut down immediately.MINIMALIST COLORWAY"Good design is as little design as possible" is one of the famed German industrial designer Dieter Rams's Ten Principles for Good Design. When in doubt, sticking to a minimalist palette can go a long way, as a clean colorway keeps it easy and simple for wear in any occasion. Even more so, the white sneaker is a ubiquitous and subtly universal staple that can work as an acceptable shoe in the workplace and for hitting chicks up at a house party, like the white Lacoste Ampthill Mid-Top or the canvas colored Vans Atwood. Just remember the first rule with these: keep them somewhat clean. We're not looking for you to scrub them with bleach and a toothbrush, just rinse off the dried mud and drugs caked on the soles from last week's outdoor music festival.While the sneaker has forged its mainstay in the current fashion forecast, what you lace up could be the death knell on your chances of holding hands with the girl you just caught eyes with on the dance floor. We're not asking for you to find shoes worth more than a month's rent, we're just looking for someone who respects himself and his personal appearance enough to put a little effort into it because, well, we're judging.Find more styles and sneakers at DSW.
Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement