It is a well-known stereotype that women love shoes. Like, “own 12 pairs of black pumps that to the untrained eye all look exactly the same” kind of stereotype. And while stereotypes are that way for a reason, the fact that men are left out of this is just simply untrue. How many sneakerheads do you know that own less than 10 pairs? Or your fashionable neighbor who seems to be in a different pair of casual boots or loafers almost every day? 

If you are the guy with a couple pairs of sneakers, one pair of boots, a casual dress shoe, and one pair of black formal shoes way, way in the back of your closet, keep reading. It is time to up your shoe game, my friend.

1. Boots

Source: @edcaml via Instagram

Source: @estilisman via Instagram

Ted Baker Men’s Camroon 4 Chelsea Boot available from available from Amazon

Tobacco Snuff Suede Mens Italian Chelsea Boots available from arthurknight.com

Chelsea boots, ankle boots, motorcycle boots, Chukka boots, dress boots, cowboy boots… I could keep going but I digress. The point is that there is a boot for everybody, every occasion, and every style. 

Going hiking? There’s a boot for that. If you choose well, you can double up and your hiking boots can also be your favorite casual boots. Feeling a little rock-n-roll today? Pull on those bad-ass motorcycle boots over your black skinny jeans, your favorite worn-in t-shirt, wrap a bandana around your neck or wrist, and go forth and make that girl yours (while letting her maintain her sense of individuality and knowing she is free to do whatever she chooses. Respect. It’s 2021, after all. She is a strong, independent woman).

Again, I digress. Boots are an all-encompassing shoe. There is a boot style that covers the gamut of work casual (Clarks ankle boots for the win) to your favorite streetwear look (hello, Timberlands) to the boot that keeps getting better with age (I’m talking to you Thursday Boot Company).