Why Shoes Matter: 3 Signs He's so Wrong

The Signs He's So Wrong May be Seen in the Shoes

Guy de Maupassant had it spot on: clothes make the man. Too often over-looked in that general truism is the literally lowly shoe. Leaving aside that most women's shoes are designed (sadistically?) by men, let's keep our eyes, ladies, on footwear for men.

Another more current observation about the shoe is found in Frank Darabont's masterwork, The Shawshank Redemption, with the narrator positing: "I mean, how often do you look at a man's shoes?!" (The scene, of course, is the pivotal one, where Andy has 'borrowed' the warden's clothes for his escape).

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This man, something of a fashionista, is here to advise you ladies to look, closely, at a man's shoes. It may tell you all you need to know about their level of sophistication... and your relationship potential.

Here are 3 indicators that he's not 'made' (see Maupassant aphorism above):

Scenario 1: You're at a casual party; it's Fall, there's a chill in the air. You spy a promising guy across the room, actually drinking his imported beer from a glass, the bottle resting nearby, on a coaster. Wow, manners. You scan him top to bottom -- hold it: he's wearing flip-flops. Danger, even if he's had a pedicure recently. Seriously, this usually means underemployed, or, far worse, unaware of Mssr. Maupassant, not good, probably a speed reader... of literature. Next candid-date, please.

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Scenario 2: You're walking your dog at a park, you're wearing your comfortable yet stylish athletic shoes; a fellow dog-walking guy is approaching. What's at both ends of the leash is rather adorable. Oops, his 'tennis shoes' look like they're from another era, and not simply Goth-ish but, well, they're something you might see some official in the waste recovery industry don a Hazmat suit to touch. And 'he' touched them to put them on (assuming they've not been continuously worn since 1984). Follow Nancy Sinatra's advice, paraphrased: your shoes are made for walkin'...keep going.

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Scenario 3: Perhaps inspired by that last paraphrase about boots, you're at a political rally. A youthful man approaches the microphone, about to introduce the candidate. He's well-spoken, self-effacing, somewhat charming. He's bounded off the stage, in your direction. He notices you, saying something innocuous like: "Soo glad you came!" The candidate, an older gent, climbs atop the stage -- he's wearing boots. Not for riding, hiking, no, but designed for roping cows. You glance down at the young aide's feet -- yep, the same footwear. And you're in New York. He notices your noticing them, and says: "Always loved these things, since I was a kid." He still is one. Don't be fooled by his possible reference to them as 'Westernwear', his brain still sees them as cowboy boots. Oh, and don't even consider voting for his boss.

What do you think about men's choice of shoes and how that relates to their relationship potential? Does it matter? Or does it depend on the situation/guy? Let us know!

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