Gents, It’s Time to Step Up Your Footwear

“Good shoes are the foundation to success in a man’s wardrobe.” – Dean Girling, Gaziano & Girling
“A man is judged by the quality of his shoes.” - Tony Gaziano, Gaziano & Girling

The second-in-command to the power suit is surely the power shoe—a work of perfect craftsmanship and understated luxury that resonates with notions of old Hollywood masculinity.

For fall, designers like Crockett & Jones, Bettanin & Venturi, Gaziano & Girling and Tod’s are looking back at the sartorial choices and wardrobes of men like Cary Grant, Paul Newman, James Dean and Frank Sinatra—those iconic guys who are still as relevant today as they were when they were making their silver screen debuts. These designers seem to have one creative commonality on their minds: never underestimate the importance and impact a beautiful pair of shoes can have. (Yes, this applies to you too, men.)

Take, for instance, Gaziano & Girling’s Arran boot, a transitional three-eye chukka with a leather sole and Goodyear welting that recalls days in the boardroom and nightcaps in secluded banquettes with extra dirty martinis. Gaziano & Girling’s objective has always been to make a ready-to-wear shoe with bespoke quality—an effort you’ll notice in their impeccable construction and materials. Then there’s Bettanin & Venturi’s XO exclusively ours medallion toe balmoral—a study in polish and precision. The hallmark of this shoe? Its hand-sewn Norwegian stitching.

Tod’s, the always-classic Italian shoemakers known for their loafers and colorful variations of the classic driving shoe, is keeping in tune with the season’s trend, and this fall, they’ve designed an updated take on the traditional loafer, a leather apron toe with a rubber sole. This trend towards understated, timeless and classic footwear also echoes in all of Crockett & Jones designs, which are exclusive to Barneys New York. It’s these traditional shoes that work themselves seamlessly into one’s wardrobe while also taking it to the next level. So the only question remains: which power shoe will you don this fall?