Shoes for Him and Her

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world—said the siren Marilyn Monroe, reflecting womankind's almost universal love for shoes. Men however, are usually known to be slightly less bothered about the item, relying on utility and buying only the bare necessary, though the cliché does not hold true for metrosexuals.

It's hard to find a woman who doesn't love shoes, as the right footwear can up the ante on even the most mundane outfit to completely transform its impression.  

Most women would confess to having more shoes than they need, and though there never can be enough pairs ever for all of a woman's moods, needs, and wants, and of course, different seasons, there are some basic shoes that all women interested in smart dressing should have. 

Men might not care much, but shoes are considered to be the most important part of a man's wardrobe too. Shoes have the ability to make or break any outfit. 

And the FIRST item others notice.

Here are some timeless types that men and women should own to complete their wardrobes.

HIS
CANVAS SNEAKERS
The perfect casual shoes, these can be worn with or without socks, and are great for casual, warm weather. For lazy days, out for grocery shopping or for coffee, this can be the go to shoe.

BOAT SHOES
A step up from canvas shoes, these can be worn with shorts, or casual jeans. You cannot go wrong with a brown or grey boat shoe, but feel free to have fun with colours like blue or maroon.

MEDIUM ANKLE BOOTS
These boots are versatile and can be worn with almost anything: jeans, chinos, trousers. You can dress them up or down and never go wrong in them.

LOAFERS
These are the semi-formal option, which can be worn with trousers or in casual business environments. They fall in the spectrum between the casual boat shoes and the formal dress shoes. They are easy to slip on and are great for travelling. The rich brown colour looks absolutely stunning and elegant for these shoes and are a must have for all men. Do not hesitate to experiment with fun colours as well.  

THE WINGTIPS
These are the work shoes, and also the go-to dress shoes. Perfectly suitable with the work clothes needed in a corporate setting, they usually work well in darker shades, like deep brown or ash black. Splurge on them; they are worth it!

OXFORDS
A pair of Oxfords is also a must for a decent wardrobe, to jazz up your outfits and add class. These are the ultimate formal shoes for men and are usually must for formal parties, and weddings. The shoes though are worth the splurge and also need regular polish and maintenance.Choose between a 'plain toe' or a 'cap toe,' and it would be best to stay away from the broguing or decorated ones. 

HER
BALLET FLATS
These have been in for a couple of seasons, and they work perfectly for all purposes, including work, parties, casual outings, etc. They basically work with any type of clothes and can be worn from day to night, depending on colour and design.

CLASSIC PUMP
Pumps are both comfortable and trendy, and so are a must for any woman's wardrobe. They team up well with all types of clothes, be it Eastern or Western. A pair in black can serve as the perfect accessory to a large variety of outfit choices.

SANDALS
These are great for summer, and as we are already experiencing some high temperatures, every woman should own a couple of these. They look great with almost everything, including pants, skirts and even Eastern outfits.

NUDE HEELS
These heels are one of the easiest ways to add an edge to any set of clothes, and are a must for every high-heel aficionado. They go well with saris, dresses, and skirts. 

KITTEN HEELS
These complete any day time look, are comfortable, and go with any type of dress, skirts or kameezes.

STILETTOES
The ultimate shoe to add oomph to an outfit is the stiletto. Being more suitable for formal occasions which do not require too much running around, these are perfect for any type of party or wedding functions, and are bound to boost confidence and make the wearer look and feel good!

BOOTS
These are essential for the winter season, though somewhat new to the local footwear scene, and go very nicely with denims or skirts. They are for the fashion adventurer and are comfortable.

CASUAL SNEAKERS
These are a must if you are into running and exercises or if your regular wear includes a lot of jeans and t-shirt pairings. 

The right shoe is an important component of clothing, and can help on top of the world, even if just an inch off the ground! 

By Lameya Alma Amin
Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed