How to Choose the Right Moccasin for Men

Of every element in fashion, men seem to have the hardest time with shoes. Women will often have a collection of different shoes for a variety of applications. Men, on the other hand, tend to stick with one or two pairs of well-worn shoes. Recent trends have reintroduced moccasins, particularly in male fashion, and this short guide will help you choose the right one.

Formal Occasions

Men’s dress shoes are notoriously uncomfortable. Their stiff, hard soles and thick leather can often squeeze, contract, and distort the natural layout of a man’s feet. Moccasins were designed to work with the natural structure of your foot and this makes them a great, although somewhat surprising, addition to formal attire.

The best style for this type of situation is a smooth finished, dark leather moccasin. These are almost indistinguishable in appearance from many other men’s dress shoes. The smooth finish means they can be polished to a high sheen and the dark color matches the darker hues of men’s dress pants.

Causal or Semi-Formal

Casual occasions pop up all the time and they can be one of the trickiest when it comes to men’s fashion. Far too often will you see a man who is painfully underdressed in just a t-shirt and jeans. Conversely, you’ll often see men overdressed in formal shoes and slacks.

For an occasion such as this, you should consider wearing a moccasin with a matte finish. A polished shoe is often far too formal for these situations and a sneaker might not be enough. The color of the moccasin can either be dark or a lighter earth tone and these will both match chinos, slacks, and khakis wonderfully.

Lazy Days

Lazy days are sometimes the best days and there’s no better way to ruin your relaxation than wearing an uncomfortable shoe. Fortunately, moccasins also have this covered. Many of them have been designed to be versatile and sturdy enough to be worn throughout the day while still being relaxed enough to feel like you aren’t wearing any shoes at all.

There is actually a great range of styles to choose from when comfort and relaxation are the primary concern. Some moccasins for men have been designed like slippers, complete with soft lining and a very lightweight sole. Taking this a step further, however, there are options which incorporate the soft lining and lightweight exterior with a rugged and durable sole, making them perfect for all day wear.

Winter Activities

Some people often think of moccasins as summer footwear but this is no longer true. There are a number of different styles that have been designed to incorporate the comfort of a typical moccasin with the warmth needed in the winter. They often cover the whole foot and are lined with thick wool, fleece, and other insulating material. These moccasins will keep your feet toasty even in the coldest of days.

The key to choosing the right moccasin is to consider a number of factors. The most important is comfort and versatility. A comfortable shoe is great but it also needs to serve your feet well. The next is style and you’ll have no trouble finding a pair to match any outfit. Finally, your own personal preferences should always be considered. Due to the great variety of different moccasins, there is a pair to fit any taste.

BIO:

Yelena Binney is the CO-CEO of Moccasinsdirect.com. She has 20+ years’ experience in the moccasin and slipper industry.