Dear Grooms, Please Stop Ignoring Your Shoes, Thank You Very Much
If you can’t tell your Oxfords from your Derbys, here’s a quick lowdown on all things men's footwear...
Dear grooms-to-be, do you know what the first rule of dressing well is? It’s wearing great shoes.
A good shoe—or the lack thereof—will affect your outfit significantly. As the British fashion designer Hardy Amies once said, “It is totally impossible to be well dressed in cheap shoes”. And he wasn’t wrong. It doesn’t matter how exquisite your suit or tux, or sherwani is, if your shoe looks off, that’s what everyone is going to notice.
Shoes are often the most overlooked part of a groom’s outfit—and ironically, the most important. So, to help you walk into your big day in style, we bring to you our top recommendations for the coolest shoes.
We’ll handle the shoes. You focus on not letting them get stolen.
Your Guide To Footwear As A Groom-To-Be
Oxford shoes
Oxford shoes are arguably the most elegant and sophisticated shoes for men. They have a closed-lacing system—meaning the two flaps holding the laces are sewn under, as opposed to their edges showing. It's what makes them so chic and gives them a more streamlined look. Men of culture, these are your shoes.
There are also various variations within the Oxford shoe. Our favourite? The whole-cut Oxfords! These are made with just one piece of fabric, so they have no joints or seams.
Manifest recommends: You can opt for plain-toe Oxford shoes, like the Jimmy Choos. Or you can go for our favourites, the whole-cut Oxford shoes—like the Berluti or Shutiq shoes.
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Derby shoes
Not to be confused with Oxford shoes, the Derbies have an open lacing system, which means the two flaps holding the laces are stitched on top. This makes them more casual and laid back than the Oxford shoes. A great choice nonetheless.
Manifest recommends: The Marsèll square-toe derbies if you want something interesting while keeping things classic, or the Valentino Garavani or Christian Louboutin Derbies if you want to have some more fun!
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Loafers
This extremely versatile shoe can be worn formally or casually, and with or without socks. Just make sure to go for the no-break or negative-break pants (pants that show the ankle) with this shoe. You don't want the hem of your pants covering your loafers.
Manifest recommends: The Jeetinder Sandhu loafers if you're the experimental kind, the Giuseppe Zanotti if you want to add some fun bling to your shoes, the Gucci or Bally loafers if you're the minimalistic kind.
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Brogues
Brogues are shoes with decorative perforations. Mini history lesson time! The origin of brogues can be traced back to the 1600s, back when the shoes were solely functional, as the holes on the shoes were used for water drainage while walking on damp terrains.
In the present day, however, brogues are purely aesthetic. They come in different kinds and go well with just about anything. For an old-school aesthetic, opt for these shoes.
Manifest recommends: Tod's brogues for a truly elegant vibe.
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Monk Strap Shoes
Not as formal as the other dress shoes, Monk Straps are the kind of shoes that you can go for if you are aiming for a more laid-back look.
Manifest recommends: Ferragamo double-strap blank monk shoes!
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here
Mojris
Grooms who wish to take the traditional Indian route can opt for the classic mojris. Go all out on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-esque aesthetic, or go for an Indo-Western look for your haldi or mehendi by pairing a breezy chikankari shirt with wide-legged pants and mojris!
Manifest recommends: The Needledust Juttis! Especially if you like your shoes to make a statement.
Buy it here
Buy it here
Buy it here