The popular saying ‘Fashion starts from the feet’ can also be applied to business.

No matter how perfectly you dress, if your shoes don’t look good, your overall image will be compromised.

Therefore, this time, we would like to introduce three basic shoe designs for the business sector, along with key points for choosing and wearing each type, for everyone to know.

The first type is the ‘Straight Chip,’ which is a standard design of shoes commonly worn in the business sector.

Straight Chip shoes have the most formal design compared to other ceremonial shoes. They can be used for a variety of occasions, from business events to ceremonies such as weddings or funerals, making them the most suitable choice for a first pair of shoes.

If you want to wear Straight Chip shoes for business purposes, we recommend pairing them with a suit and a neatly tied tie to create an overall sophisticated look without making it stand out too much.

The second style I want to recommend is the “Plain Toe.”

The Plain Toe features a simple design with no decorations, such as extra stitching or perforations at the toe area.

It can be divided into Oxford, which has closed lacing with the leather flap fully covering the laces, and Derby, which has open lacing with the leather flap not fully covering the laces. The appearance of the wearer and how they dress can vary significantly depending on this difference in the leather flap.

The Oxford style is more formal, giving a dignified impression and is suitable to wear with suits or other semi-formal shirts.

Meanwhile, the Derby style has a more casual look, making it suitable to pair with jackets and trousers in different colors or a business casual outfit.

Additionally, if the toe area is too rounded, it further increases the casual appearance. If you want to wear them to a formal event, we recommend choosing a shape with a moderately appropriate style.

And finally, the third style is the “Monk Strap.”

Normally, shoes worn with a suit need to have laces, but there is an exception, which is the Monk Strap.

Although it looks more casual than lace-up shoes, it has the advantage of being easy to put on and take off without having to undo the strap on the shoe. This is because the side of the Monk Strap has a special type of elastic that helps ensure a comfortable fit while wearing.

We therefore recommend the Monk Strap for those who want shoes that can be worn for any occasion, both in business settings and casually.

In addition to what has been presented, there are many other types of shoes, each with features suitable for different occasions.

It is important to understand the characteristics of various standard designs and choose to wear them appropriately for each situation.

“Fashion starts with the feet.”

Shall we try paying more attention to our feet than before?

【Straight Chip 】

The highlight is the horizontal line at the toe area. In the United Kingdom, this design is called a ‘Cap Toe.’ It is a design that is considered more formal compared to other types of men’s dress shoes.

【Plain Toe】

Simple design with no decorations on the toe area. It is the standard for business work shoes that perfectly combine elegance and casual style.

【Monk Strap】

Monk Strap shoes have a formal buckle. If there is a single strap, it is called a Single Monk, and if there are two straps, it is called a Double Monk (the one in the picture is a Double Monk).