Fashion Know How

How to Buy a Pair of Shoes That Fit

Ten steps to a satisfying shoe shopping experience

Many people, both men and women, have a closet full of shoes they never wear. The reasons those shoes don’t ever see the light of day vary, but generally it is because those shoes don’t fit.

When buying a new pair of shoes there are a few guidelines to follow that will see you through to a stylish and comfortable (and wearable) pair of shoes.

1) Don’t scrimp on price and quality. Buy the best you can afford. Better quality shoes are made of better quality materials. Your feet will sweat and they need to be able to breath. Make sure the sole and the material is breathable. Leather is the best option.

2) Try on shoes in the late afternoon when your feet are fattest. Everyone’s feet expand as the day goes on, whether you are on your feet all day or not. If the shoes feel good at 3pm, they will feel good all day.

3) Always wear the socks you’re going to be wearing with the footwear when making any measurements or when trying shoes on. Don’t try on a dress shoe with an athletic sock, when you know you will be wearing a dress sock and vice versa.

4) Never get a shoe that you think will feel good after break-in. If the shoe doesn’t feel good immediately, it is not going to get better until it after it gets worse. No one needs get a blister to” break in” a shoe.

5) Try on several different sizes and walk around the store to see how they fit. Remember different brands and different styles will fit differently. Shoes from the same designer may be made in different factories in different countries. Some brands may fit smaller than others. (Note: Size is just a number. Don’t worry if you have gone up a size. It doesn’t necessarily mean your feet are getting bigger.)

6) Ignore the siren call of the good deal that’s a half-size to small or large. By all means, try them on, but if the shoe doesn’t fit, you won’t wear it.

7) Remember, the shoe is not going to get bigger as you wear it. The length of the shoe is never going to change. It is only the softer leathers and suedes that are going give a bit in width.

8) If you have a shoe that is comfortable and fits great, try to buy other shoes that have the same shape and feel. If you find a brand and style you like, go back and buy another pair, as the company may never make that style again.

9) One pair of shoes can’t serve all purposes. If you want a shoe to wear to work with your suit, you cannot use the same pair of shoes to go golfing or hiking in.

10) You don’t need 100 pairs of cheap shoes that sit in your closet, but you do need a handful of stylish and comfortable shoes that meet your needs.

So, go through your closet and get rid of all the shoes you never wear. Then come down to Philip Nyren Menswear & Womenswear and buy a new pair of quality shoes.

By Darcy J. Baillie
(Originally published in British Importers Magazine Spring/Summer 2009 Edition.)

Wear Your Personality - Accessorize

What does the typical man wear on a day-to-day basis? Generally, standard fare is pants, a shirt and shoes (unless you are lucky enough to spend all your days on the beach). What sets a man apart from the crowd are his accessories.

Accessories are worn either for practicality or style. For example, the practical accessory is a standard belt, used to hold up your pants. On the other hand, a colourful pocket square, silver cuff links or a beautiful silver ID bracelet are all about personal style. Stylish accessories make an impression and by wearing them well you stand out in a crowd.

The accessories you choose to wear can make a dramatic impact on your appearance. Unfortunately many men don’t realize it, but accessories can improve the most basic ensembles and can make wardrobe staples look fresh again. So, instead of completely overhauling your wardrobe, first have a look at your accessories and evaluate what you are lacking.

Are you a man who wears a suit and a dress shirt everyday? If your answer is yes, you need to start thinking about new ties, pocket squares and French cuff shirts. Adding a little colour to your basic navy suit will catch everyone’s attention and make you feel great. A patterned pocket square or an unusual tie will do the trick. And if you have never tried a shirt with French cuffs, you don’t know what you are missing. The selection of cuff links out there is greater than ever. They feature everything from gemstones to patterns to popular characters. You could wear a different pair of cuff links every day of the week.

What about jewellery? There has never been a better time to purchase men’s jewellery. Designers are making everything from leather bracelets with silver clasps to dog tag necklaces and money clips. A lot of the jewellery out there is motorcycle and tattoo inspired, it’s heavy and chunky and very manly. (For more info on this image, click here.)

What do you use to carry your stuff around in? Do you have an old nylon messenger bag you won at a golf tournament? It’s time to invest in a beautiful leather bag. Whether it’s to carry your computer to and from work or to carry your gear for a weekend get-away, you’ll look better with a stylish bag. (For more info on this image, click here.)

What about your wallet? Have you had it since your university days? Does it have a Velcro closure? If you answered yes to either one of those questions, don’t admit it to anyone. Just make getting a cool new wallet a priority!

Hats? Watches? Cool detailed belts? Scarves? There are so many menswear accessories to choose from. What do you love? What reflects your personality? It’s time to start building up your accessories.

Philip Nyren Menswear & Womenswear carries clothing and accessories for men and women. We invite you to come in, have a look around and find something that expresses your personality.

By Darcy J. Baillie

To Buy or to Rent? That is the question...

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Q: When should I buy a tuxedo?

A: If you go to two or more formal dress events a year, you should have your own tux. The garment will pay for itself in about four wearings compared to rentals, and given that you don’t use it much, will last about ten years. To keep it from getting old, vary your accessories … a bright brocade vest and a couple of shirt styles will keep you elegant for ages.

Q: What style tuxedo should I get?

A: Tuxedos, like suits, come single or double breasted with one, two or three button styles available in the single. The style unique to tuxedos is the shawl collar. This classic, timeless look is different from any suit you’ll own and will make your tux feel special. So while we always tell you to get what you like best, the shawl is a big favourite.

Q: What is the origin of the tuxedo?

A: Tuxedos are actually a casual form of clothing to wear to dinner. In the 1860’s shorter jacket styles moved “upstairs” from the servants’ quarters. In Victorian England, gentleman wore long frock coats for daily wear and Cut-a-way coats of Regimental dress for formal occasions. The new shorter jackets were worn for casual activities. By the 1890s, dinner jackets became the look for dining at the “club”. In the United States, the dinner jacket first appeared at the country club in Tuxedo Park, NY, hence the North American term. After the First World war, the very formal styles were relegated to weddings and openings of parliament and the modern tuxedo was what you wore to dress up events. In the 1920’s the then Prince of Wales popularized the double breasted look and some colours like navy and deepest burgundy began to appear, but generally black is the way to go. The satin trim, the hallmark of the tuxedo, is a distant echo of the 18^th and early 19^th century when bright colours and stain and lace were as much a part of a man’s wardrobe as a woman’s.

Philip Nyren Menswear & Womenswear carries a selection of tuxedos.
Come in and try one on today.

How to Tie a Tie in Six Easy Steps:

How often do you tie a tie? Are you one of those people who only wear ties on special occasions? Perhaps you need a refresher on how it's done? If not, maybe just for the sake of reference?

Here is a simple six step illustration of how to tie a Four-in-Hand knot. We’ve even had it illustrated to "reflect" your mirror image.

Now just stand in front of the computer and get dressed…

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