Know your footwear - Nigerian NewsDirect

By Chidinma Promise

Dos and Don’ts for your outfit and leg/foot type

Have you ever noticed how top celebrities like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade, Adesua Etomi, Bimbo Adeoye, Richard Mofe Damijo, Uti Nwachukwu, Chukwujekwu Blossom and the likes always have on the most appropriate pair of shoes to compliment their outfit and personality, be it on the red carpet at the AMVCA, on set as various characters or merely teaching the art of fashion statements on the Gram? If you haven’t been paying attention, then this write-up, is highly dedicated to you.

Ahead of waltzing into the various shoe types and how to utilize them depending on your choice and type of attire, is the need to know your leg/feet type (not everyone needs or can strut in a six-inch heel, {abeg, dey your lane} it is for this reason cobblers evolve with various inch heels)

Foot types range from the various foot arches to the various natural placement of toes. Based on arches, there are three major classification of foot:

Low Arch: This is a type of foot arch where the bottom middle part of the foot, meant to serve as a demarcation between your heel and your toe region, lays on the same level as your heel and toes, thereby creating a lower full foot.

Medium Arch: This type of foot arch is one that the bottom middle part of your feet is half filled, not low enough to be on the same level as the heel and toe region and not too high up either. This is also referred to as the “Normal” arch type.

High Arch: This type of foot arch is one in which the middle region of the foot is way higher in, compared to the heel and toe region. This usually is often depicted from a pultruding bone poking at the upper region of the foot.

Note: To learn what category you fall into, I advise getting a color cardboard paper, putting your feet in water and placing it on the cardboard. If the entire lower region of your feet, is depicted on the cardboard, you fall under the Low Arch category. If what is depicted on the cardboard looks like it is almost full but a bit cut off by the center region, you fall under the Medium Arch category. If what is depicted on the cardboard is merely the front part of your feet, the heel and a bit of the side, you fall under the High Arch category.

Based on the natural placement of toes, there are various classifications but most popularly known are:

Egyptian: These are the type of toes that are properly sequentially aligned, that is, the big toe is the longest toe on the foot, while others are placed decreasing in size compared to the one that comes before it.

Greek: This is a type of toe placement, where the second toe on the foot is the longest of all the toes.

Roman: This type of toe placement is similar to the Greek type. The only difference is that the difference between the big toe and the second toe is very meager but the second toe still remains the longest in the toe placement.

Now that you’re foundationally accustomed to the various types of foot, let’s work towards understanding what foot wear works best for your foot type and your attire.

First thing’s first, it is important for every man in existence, casual or business inclined to come to terms with the fact that his wardrobe collection deserves a pair or two of loafers, oxford, white sneakers, lace up shoe and leather sandal. These type of shoes except lace ups works for almost every type of foot. Lace ups are not an advisable pair of shoes for individuals with Greek toes as a result of its usual pointy mouth/front nature which doesn’t do well for individuals with Greek type of toes, as it tends to cause a high level of discomfort to the toes and eventually, the entire feet.

To debunk all doubts as to what type of shoes, as listed above, go for what type of attire, here’s a bullet point depiction to put you through the ABC of slaying Head to Toe:

Lace Ups; Suits, Formal trouser on a shirt (with or without a blazer and tie) and socks.

Loafers; Suits (with socks), Traditional attires (without socks) and casual shirt on Chinos.

Oxford: Any form of clothing except three-piece suits and traditional wears.

White Sneakers; Casual wears; Jean trousers/shirt on casual T-shirt/trouser or complete joggers set.

Leather Sandals; Senator, Agbada, Danshiki and every traditional related attire.

Ladies! For every foot type, except attached to any health-related issues, YOU NEED A PAIR OF HEELS. Ranging from one inch to six inches, go with whatever inch you’re comfortable strutting in, most especially for individuals with high arch; it helps for better distribution and balancing out of weight.

Heels: This comes in various categories – Slim heel, Square heel, Kitten heel, French heel, Comma heel, Decorative heel, Block heel, Cuban heel and the list goes on. Heels goes with every and all types of attires, ranging from Formal wears to traditional and informal; heels do the trick.

Pointy Mouth Flat: This is a type of foot wear that has the front part of the shoe as the longest. It is most suitable for individuals with medium arch and Egyptian toes. For individuals with low/high arch and Egyptian toes, it is advisable that you go for flats with a little bit of heel lift or simply buy shoe inserts, to help give your feet a little bit of lift and better comfort in the shoes. Pointy mouth flats are better worn with clothing items likeformal trouser/pencil skirt, shirt, formal dress, suitand blazers.

Round Flat: This type of foot wear is most suitable for individuals with Greek or Roman toes. It helps for better comfort of the toes and feet. Clothing items like formal trouser/pencil skirt, shirt, formal dress, blazers, jeans and informal attires are most suitable for this type of foot wear.

Open toe: This is one shoe type that cramps up the toes and would only be advisable for formal business gatherings and individuals with Egyptian toes.

Wedge: Most suitable for all foot type and compliments attires like flare floral dress, jean trouser and Maxi dress.

Sandal Flat/Heel: This is a type of shoe that also works perfectly for all foot types, as it guarantees top-notch comfort and allows for equal air exposure of the feet. This type of shoe best compliments dinner dresses, casual work attire, long floral skirts and traditional attire.

Gladiator Sandal: This shoe category works best for mini floral dress (fitted or flare).

Fancy Leather Slippers: This category definitely screams CASUAL! And errands of course, in your comfortable T-shirt, Top, Joggers and so on.

Sneakers: This category works well for formal ladies with a bit of “break the normality edge” and casual folks too. Be it to compliment a sassy lady in a dress or jean and comfortable top, sneakers, work the statement magic.White sneakers, advisably, works on suit too.

You’re Welcome!