If I wanted to build the perfect shoe collection with $1,000, this is how I would do it. I would buy eight shoes if I were starting from scratch. Here are the brands and the situations in which I would wear each. You will have the right shoes for every occasion if you have these eight shoes.
Shoes for EVERY occasion
- Black Birkenstocks. These $50 slip-ons are super comfortable in the summer months and ideal for the beach, pool, or kicking it around town. Just make sure your toes aren’t funky.
- Retro-inspired fashion sneaker. This category does not include running shoes or shoes you would wear to train in. Retro-inspired sneakers like the Pegasus 89 are a great addition to any wardrobe. Adidas Gazelle and Puma are also great examples. These are casual athletic sneakers that are not dress sneakers. You can wear these with joggers, chinos, jeans, and shorts, and they won’t break the bank (under $100).
- Minimal white leather sneakers. Whether or not this shoe has a gum sole, it’s classic, clean, and white. You can wear these with shorts or jeans, chinos, or even dress down a suit with them. I love mine from Thursday Boots. Click to check out Thursday Boots collection of comfortable, versatile, & durable boots, shoes, and more.
- Minimal dark leather sneakers. Even if you have a pair of white, you want a darker color to go with dark jeans, black jeans, and dark chinos. They are clean and sexy, and mine have a bit of patina. I love it when the sole matches.
- Casual boots. There are a few different options in this category. Boots look amazing with jeans or chinos. Choose from a rugged pair, lace-up Chelsea boots, distressed leather versions, or Chukkas.
- Dress boots. You can dress these up or down. A great option is a wing tip with some broguing. A brown color is rich and sexy and will work with different outfits. I also love the solid black Chelsea boot, a men’s style staple every guy needs in his wardrobe. You can dress them up with a suit or dress them down with a pair of jeans or chinos. They work amazingly with leather jackets and are badass.
- Brown loafers. Brown slip-on loafers are a perfect dress shoe. You can dress them up or down and go sockless in them during the summer. You can pair them with chinos or a pair of denim. You can even wear them with shorts or even a suit.
- Black loafers. Brown leather loafers are perfect, but you also need black ones. If you’re wearing a dark charcoal suit or black, you could go monochromatic with some black loafers.
