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STYLE

Five Pairs of Shoes Every Dad Must Own

Father's Day shoes gift inspiration

While fashion can often appear to be an ever-fluctuating world of change as the season’s trends ebb and flow, every man’s wardrobe should be built on a set of high-quality, timeless staples: a tapered pair of selvedge jeans, crisp white tees, a quality Oxford shirt, and a sharp navy suit are a few examples.

Similarly, every man should also be able to look to a solid arsenal of footwear that can see him comfortably through each casual and formal occasion that crops up in the calendar. The balancing act of juggling working and family life can often leave dads out of sync with the latest fashion trends, but a refined footwear collection will keep him ahead of the game for the foreseeable. We've picked out our shortlist of the five pairs of shoes that every dad, or indeed man, should own to ensure he is looking sharp all year round.

Dress Shoes

Weddings, black tie events, funerals and other formal occasions will call for a fine pair ofblack Oxford lace-ups. The pinnacle of dress shoes, a black pair of Oxfords will complement any colour of suit (excluding brown) whether you opt for whole-cut or cap-toe Oxfords.

The HUGO 'Dessapp' Oxfords are a classic whole-cut leather Oxford silhouette with seam detailing along the sides while Ted Baker’s ‘Rogrr’ Oxfords offer a classic cap-toe silhouette with contrasting damson laces.

Trainers

A well-constructed, breathable low-top trainer is a must-have for more casual outings in the evening or on the weekend. The all-white sneaker trend is one that never goes out of fashion and a finely crafted pair of all-white trainers has the versatility to transcend casual occasions and be worn with the occasional suit on warmer spring and summer days (when done properly).

The monochrome Converse Chuck Taylors are our go-to canvas low-tops while Lacoste’s ‘Straightset’ trainers and the Novesta 'Star Dribble' trainers provide clean-cut, classic leather minimalism. For a more refined look, the BOSS Green 'Parkour Run' sneakers are beautifully made with nappa leather uppers with luxe metallic detailing and Ted Baker's 'Rouu' feature a clean silhouette with a focus on using premium materials.

The Casual Office Shoe

Every man should have a casual, everyday pair of shoes for the office when you are unburdened from meetings and can allow your feet to breathe. While being more relaxed, your choice of casual office shoe should also uphold your reputation as the Don Draper of the office, and a well-executed brogue will do just the trick.

Ted Baker and Grenson have some of this season’s standout brogues, notably Ted Bakers’ ‘Prycce’ and the Grenson 'Archie'. If you want to raise the bar further, iconic shoemakers Tricker's have teamed up with Cheshire-based clothing label Knutsford to produce an exclusive edition of the brand's classic 'Bourton' brogues that exude the master craftsmanship and careful detailing associating with Tricker's for almost 200 years.

Winter Boots

When winter calls it is time to organise your all-white low-tops and suede brogues neatly at the back of the wardrobe and turn instead to your rugged winter boots. Red Wing are known in the US as the boot that people who work outdoors actually wear, and the rigorous construction that goes into each boot means they are more than ready to brace the harshness of winter. In the UK and around the world, Dr. Martens are loved for their robust construction and ability to forgo all weather times, largely thanks to the brand’s patented Airwair sole. If you require more sophisticated eloquence, English heritage labels Grenson and Tricker’s rule over the men’s footwear empire with exceptionally executed boots such as the Grenson ‘Fred’ brogue boots or Tricker’s statement croc leather brogue boots.

Ankle Boots

A more casual suede or leather ankle boot will fill out your wardrobe and can be called on for most occasions from trips to parents evening to summer barbecues with friends and family. The Clarks Originals Desert boots are a solid choice offering great versatility but we are also fans of a classic black leather Chelsea boot such as the'Tamper' boot from H Shoes by Hudson.

For more Father's Day gifts inspiration, shop our curated edit at AllSole now, with FREE UK NEXT DAY DELIVERY on your Father's Gift when you enter code FORDAD at the basket. 

Sarah Atkinson
Sarah Atkinson Writer and expert

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