The glamour of men’s shoes

Last Updated: May 20. 2010 6:17PM UAE / May 20. 2010 2:17PM GMT

The grind of the 21st century throws up obstacles at every turn. Nikolaus Oliver is on hand with advice to guide you through. This week: the glamour of men’s shoes

Ask most men what is the worst thing their wives can do to them and they’ll tell you it’s taking them along when they’re shopping for shoes.

In shoe shops, men stand around in glazed despair, knowing that this is never going to end, that even when she’s finished here, there are a further 480 shoe shops in this mall alone, and that if she doesn’t find what she wants, she’ll suggest driving over to the Mall of the Emirates. The thing is, to men, women’s shoes all look the same. Honestly, you’d need a magnifying glass to spot the differences.The madness of women’s relationship to their footwear is captured by a website called Shoesonhead, where you can find pictures of, well, ladiI used to share these emotions. But recently, and quite unexpectedly, I discovered the glamour of shoes. Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Louboutin. I love them all.But it’s men’s shoes that really float my boat. And with these, it’s not about designers because men’s shoes are brogues, not-brogues, loafers or deck shoes and that’s pretty much it. Here, sandals are a big thing, but that’s local, not global.For men’s shoes, it’s the manufacturers who are the idols. Edward Green, George Cleverley, Crockett & Jones, Vass, Alden, Allen & Edmonds, Trickers – these are the names to conjure with. Their products are satisfyingly expensive – Dh1,600 is baseline – but unlike women’s shoes, they are made to last. They are also made on lasts (the solid form around which the shoe is moulded). And of course there’s the leather. It can be very soft yet shiny, and that’s good. But finest calf is twice as soft and has a matte buttery glow rather than a hard shine.

source: thenational.ae