Men's shoes are undergoing something of a marketing boom – finding a greater popularity and newer markets which had hitherto been the preserve of designer fashion. This new found boom in the sector is hardly surprising given the recent development of men's fashion in general. Indeed, the growth of the male fashion sector has been one of the retail success stories of the past few years, as more and more men decide that they need to take control of how they look, rather than leaving it to their girlfriends and wives. The result has been a boom in the High Street, and online stores, with a number of brands expanding their range and choice of men's clothes in response to the increased demand and expectation of choice.
The shoe industry is always a little slower behind, as the demand for footwear is not as high as that for more comparatively disposable items like trousers and shirts. Footwear can represent considerable investment and even the most fashion conscious of men is unlikely to own more than half a dozen pairs of shoes. However, what is interesting to note is that many men are now more conscious of not only what they have on their feet, but also how it coordinates with their outfit. This goes some way to show just how much the men's fashion sector has changed – as it was once only the preserve of women's fashion to market shoes with individual outfits. So if men are eschewing the old notion that all one needed was a pair of shoes for best and one for at home, then what are the ramifications?
Perhaps foremost is the fact that the last few years have seen the launch of a new and exciting range of ‘lifestyle' shoes from brands like Paul Green trainers and Rieker. Indeed, Paul Green trainers are now something of a cult item as a consequence of the fact that they sit in the hitherto unoccupied niche between hipster, leisurewear and bohemian styles – and thus appealing to all. Other catch-all brands like Fred Perry have proved exceptionally popular as they too have a wide appeal to a variety of style movements.
The rise in the number and range of shoes available has also been somewhat powered by the rise of online shopping, which has allowed men to stay at home whilst staying ahead in the fashion stakes. Where formerly men had to traipse around the High Street, they can now shop from the comfort of their own homes and even buy Paul Green trainers.
The shoe industry is always a little slower behind, as the demand for footwear is not as high as that for more comparatively disposable items like trousers and shirts. Footwear can represent considerable investment and even the most fashion conscious of men is unlikely to own more than half a dozen pairs of shoes. However, what is interesting to note is that many men are now more conscious of not only what they have on their feet, but also how it coordinates with their outfit. This goes some way to show just how much the men's fashion sector has changed – as it was once only the preserve of women's fashion to market shoes with individual outfits. So if men are eschewing the old notion that all one needed was a pair of shoes for best and one for at home, then what are the ramifications?
Perhaps foremost is the fact that the last few years have seen the launch of a new and exciting range of ‘lifestyle' shoes from brands like Paul Green trainers and Rieker. Indeed, Paul Green trainers are now something of a cult item as a consequence of the fact that they sit in the hitherto unoccupied niche between hipster, leisurewear and bohemian styles – and thus appealing to all. Other catch-all brands like Fred Perry have proved exceptionally popular as they too have a wide appeal to a variety of style movements.
The rise in the number and range of shoes available has also been somewhat powered by the rise of online shopping, which has allowed men to stay at home whilst staying ahead in the fashion stakes. Where formerly men had to traipse around the High Street, they can now shop from the comfort of their own homes and even buy Paul Green trainers.