Gentlemen, please. Know that among the most important things in making a good first impression is the quality of your shoes. You will smile, shake hands, and speak. But before that, the person opposite you will make about a dozen visual observations and assessments, or so say researchers who study things like this.
Believe them. Put your best foot forward, to borrow a cliche. First, avoid the boxy square toe shoe. I don’t see these much in Europe, but the fact that they’re still being sold in the United States of America makes me ashamed.
Just as bad is the point toe shoe, which, dishearteningly, is worn by more French men than I care to notice, usually with pants two sizes too small.
Opt for the tasteful, traditional and timeless: a brown lace-up with a moderate, slightly rounded toe. You’ll be glad you did, and I’ll sleep better at night.
