The Good Shoe Club: Shoes to Wear for a Night Out

Men?s shoes are tricky to get right. It gets even more complicated when it comes to going out- suddenly all your casual shoes are ruled out. Here are some of the dos and don?ts of how to dress your feet when you go clubbing.

Don?t wear sneakers

Footwear

Sneakers are an unfortunate choice of footwear at the best of times. Don?t try to masquerade them as clubwear. Even your new, ?good? sneakers are too sloppy to wear when going out. Almost as bad as a pair of shiny white runners on the D-floor, is when guys try to pass off black sneakers as dress shoes. Here?s a tip: nobody is convinced.

Sadly, there are even worse shoes to wear clubbing than sneakers. Sandals are an even bigger no-no. If you somehow manage to sneak your inappropriate footwear past the bouncers, you?re going to be the worst dressed guy in the entire club. Plus, it would really hurt if a lady wearing stiletto heels accidentally steps on your foot, as inevitably happens on the dancefloor.

Go smart casual

A pair of simple canvas shoes, such as those made by Vans or Converse, can look great at quite a chilled out club or bar. Wearing a pair of brogues is too pretentious while runners are too hideous- canvas shoes are a fantastic middle ground. Just don?t choose a pair of patterned canvas shoes- keep those for the daytime, and even then they are not the most appealing of shoes. When you?re at a more upmarket establishment, leather is your only choice. This doesn?t necessarily mean plain, polished, lace-up oxfords- you?re going to a nightclub, not a wedding, so you?re free to show more flair with your footwear. Slip on leather shoes are a versatile choice- whether the night takes you to a dirty underground club or a classier affair, your feet will be prepared.

Have a go-to shoe

Every man should own one pair of perfect shoes for clubbing. They should be fairly plain, black dress shoes that go with everything you own so you are never stuck wearing inappropriate shoes just to make an outfit work. A slim pair of wingtips will do the trick- they?re not boring, but are still quite an understated shoe. They should also be well worn in and immensely comfortable if they?re going to be your default going out shoe.

Banish the brown

Unless you really know what you?re doing when it comes to dressing well, stay far away from brown shoes, particularly dark brown. Black is the simplest and usually the best choice. Burgundy is a more adventurous option for leather shoes, while dark blue or dark red are an edgy choice when it comes to canvas shoes.

No white socks

Nightclubs often have blacklights on the dancefloor. Before you leave the house, scan your outfit for white garments which are going to glow under the UV light. Always check your socks- white socks with dark pants and shoes look nasty. You don?t want your bad fashion sense to glow.