It’s a common misconception that only women care about shoes. Not only is this misconception a bit sexist — it’s also wrong. Men do care about footwear, as they should. For some men, learning about which shoes they should wear when — and what makes a good shoe — can be difficult, especially if they’ve been raised to think that they shouldn’t care about shoes, and whatever is cheapest works. For others, shoes are an interesting topic, and they love to explore the different options they have when it comes to shoes. As with any type of fashion, the trends are constantly changing. Where once men in need of a fine, high-quality shoe looked for a formal look and refined cut, now a more casual yet still fashionable and professional trend has taken flight. It may seem strange that shoes like low cut sneakers would now be considered the height of fashion — but once you learn more about these shoes, how they’re made, and how they came to be, all will make sense. Low cut sneakers have become hybrid shoes, meant not only for causal occasions, but more formal ones as well — all the while, maintain quality and comfort.
Italian Leather Shoes: A Brief History
When it comes to more formal low cut sneakers, it may not come as a surprise that Italians are at the forefront. Italian made sneakers, like all other types of leather shoes, have a bit more prestige than some others. In fact, Italian leather sneakers can be traced back to a long tradition of European leather shoes, beginning with the first leather shoe with soles and shoelaces invented in 1790. Leather shoes only grew in popular from that point on, especially in Italy. The designer Ferragamo decided, in 1937, to introduce a tall platform-style shoe called the Chopine. Actually — Ferragamo was re-introducing the Chopine, having looked to the Italian Renaissance for style inspiration. Of course, not all shoes in Italy were introduced as fashion fantasies. The wedge shoe was created out of necessity, as in the 1940s Ferragamo could no longer purchase the steel necessary to make his signature designs. Ferragamo isn’t the only designer of note who would spring up in Italy. Prada was always known for its leather craftsmanship, but only became associated with footwear in 1983, after Muccia Prada extended his product range to include shoes. Gucci, on the other hand, had more humble beginnings. It developed out of the Florentine luggage company Gucci Gucci in 1921. With a large clientele of horse lovers, the fashion house began incorporating the horsebit into its designs, eventually leading to the creation of the Gucci loafer in 1953. Of course, Italy is still going strong as a source of fine footwear. As of 2013, its exports of footwear had increased by 2.5% in volume and 5.6% in value, reaching 220 million pairs. There are so many types of shoes on the market — why not include low cut sneakers among them?
Searching For Shoes: What To Keep In Mind
Even if you don’t think much about your shoes, that doesn’t mean that other people don’t take notice. Indeed, 65% of women have admitting to pressuring their male partners into changing shoes before they leave the house, and 50% of surveyed women indicated that a man’s footwear was a reflection of his personality. As such, you should think about whether or not you want the shoes you wear to be simply boring, or full of personality. Exciting shoes have long been the norm in European countries, but have only recently become more popular in American circles. Hopefully, that popularity will only grow in the future — and hybrid shoes can continue to convey both comfort and style. However, when you are ready to look for shoes, make sure to have your feet professionally measured. Many don’t realize that their shoe sizes can increase by 1.5 sizes throughout their adult lives. Knowing your correct shoe size can help guarantee a great shoe.
