Sturdy-Soled Shoes For Cold, Wet Commutes

Thin, low-profile soles may look stylish and elegant, but you certainly won’t when you inevitably slip on a patch of ice in them and spill your morning coffee all over your clean work clothes. The solution: go commando. Obviously, there’s nothing to be gained in this particular scenario from removing your underwear, but that’s not what we mean. We’re talking about selecting footwear with a thick, sturdy sole, capable of holding its own on those slippery winter sidewalks. Practicality isn’t the only thing these heavy-duty workhorses have going for them. Commando-soled shoes are also trending hard at the moment in menswear, favoured for the contemporary edge they can lend to classic silhouettes like a Derby or an Oxford brogue. When it comes to styling, bear in mind that a chunky sole gives shoes a casual feel. This considered, if you’re going to do tailoring, keep it laid-back, unstructured and seasonally appropriate. Otherwise, we’d suggest wearing them alongside similarly rugged winter favourites like heavy indigo denim, a thick flannel shirt and a chore coat.

Dapper Styles For Party Season

They don’t call December party season for nothing. In just four short weeks there are more office drinks, family get-togethers and general frivolities than in the rest of the year combined. Naturally, it can begin to take its toll, but don’t let subpar party footwear be the reason why. Leave that up to the ill-advised school-night outings and endless spending. Party-appropriate footwear is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to give their shoe rack a winter restock. These aren’t your day-to-day Derbies or formal Oxfords. Instead, they’re shoes with character. Something that adds a touch of personality to an outfit, but that wouldn’t look out of place around the office if you had to go straight from desk to dancefloor on a Friday evening. Think loafers or monk straps. These styles are fairly versatile, but come into their own with contemporary tailoring. Try layering a blazer over a fine-gauge roll neck, with contrasting cropped trousers below. Go for earthy autumnal shades like burnt orange and burgundy if you’re thinking colourful, or subtle neutral tones for something more low-key.