If the shoe fits

My father once told me, “You will know a man by looking at his shoes.” This bit of parental advice has lasted me through nearly 15 years of dealing with men — both on a business and personal level. At least, it’s prevented me from throwing myself at men who will never be interested in me — or any other woman — and it’s probably saved me from disastrous relationships, and it has made me critical about the men I meet, date or work with.

But really, so many years of assessing men’s shoes after the first handshake can be very insightful: chunky shoes are preferred by athletic types, sleek lace-ups are usually the territory of fastidious men, and loafers and metallic sneakers are for trend-loving, flashy types who pair their sneakers with equally glossy eyewear.

It’s also become a habit to attach a personality to shoes I see in stores. For example, in Adora, which has an interesting selection of men’s footwear, shopping for men’s shoes can be very, very enjoyable.

D&G’s footwear collection is easily the most flamboyant. Their trendy sneakers, which highlight metallic tones and shiny colors are complemented by sleek dress shoes in gleaming patent leather. Any young hipster would love these shoes. He probably has a subscription to V Man and has no qualms wearing tight jeans — in white.

Spanish brand Florentino has more practical styles that are, nonetheless, chic and very modern. These are for men who like their fashion understated; they wear suits with sneakers and have Mark Ronson and Phoenix on their iPods.

Minimalists all love Neil Barrett. The Brit designer is known for his superb tailoring techniques and sharp suits. He translates these to functionally cool sneakers with unique and non-traditional closures, perfect for artsy types who wear their pants intentionally too short and their shirts too loose.

Turkish brands Sarar and Tween are heavy on the details without being overwhelmingly eager to please. Their old-style oxfords and super-slim sneakers are perfect for men who love fashion minus the flash and bling.

D&G, Florentino, Neil Barrett, Sarar and Tween footwear are all available at Adora, Greenbelt 5.