It’s often said that the first time you meet someone, you’re judged on a number of factors – with three of the main counts being your hair, your handshake and, arguably most important, your footwear.

whether its a party or an office meeting ,shoes play a very crucial role in reflecting a good image in front of the other person. Their are many types of shoes in the market but stay calm, we’ve got you covered and whittled down those bulk into just 5 basic essentials.

1.The Oxford

There is no golden rule or set formula for building the ‘perfect shoe collection’, as tastes are bound to differ. However, it pays to be ready for every eventuality, and that includes ones involving suits. In which case you’ll need a black leather Oxford.

What To Look For

“An Oxford should be worn with grey or black formal trousers,” says Grensoncreative director Tim Little. “Make sure the toe shape is right. Too pointy and you look like a spiv, too round and they look clumpy. A nice almond shape is what you’re looking for.”

Recommended Brands

Affordable: Aldo, Clarks, Topman
Premium: Dr. Martens, Kenneth Cole, J.Crew
Luxury: John Lobb, Crockett & Jones, George Cleverly

2.Semi-Formal Loafers

Apart from pure formal looks you can pair these semi formal loafers with eventually anythink which you can think of. These semi formal loafers can be paired with jeans, chinos , trousers and shorts.

What To Look For

“The classic aesthetic of a semi formal loafer lends itself to more tailored attire and can be worn with socks, or without, for a sharp summer look,” says Mr Porter senior shoe buyer David Morris. “If you’re after a smart-casual style, try a suede penny loafer in a dark brown or tan that can be worn with a pair of slim-leg chinos or shorts.”

Recommended Brands

Affordable: G.H. Bass & Co., H&M, Zara
Premium: Brooks Brothers, Reiss, Charles Tyrwhitt
Luxury: Gucci, Cheaney, Edward Green

3.The Mighty White Sneakers

There are times when we are in a hurry or haven’t decided what to wear then at those particular moments you can go for these mighty white sneakers. These bad boys can go with probably any outfit you can think of.

The slick style has been typified in recent years by the Adidas Stan Smith. First introduced in the early 1960s as the Robert Hallilet, the shoe picked up its current moniker in 1978, but only over the past decade has the white tennis shoe has become ubiquitous.

What To Look For

“If wearing white low-tops with a suit, keep them as pristine as possible,” says Little. “Other than that, they truly do go with everything.

“To keep your sneakers clean, avoid wearing with raw denim, but that’s the only real no-go. Pair them with flannel trousers and a merino sweater for a smart-casual vibe, or with chinos and a bomber on the weekend.”

Recommended Brands

Affordable: Nike, Superga, Adidas
Premium: Common Projects, Grenson, Polo Ralph Lauren
Luxury: Gucci, Givenchy, Tom Ford

4. “Goes With Anything” Chelsea Boots

“Chelsea boots are a classic which is never gonna out of the shoes trend”. It has gained popularity since 19th century.

Originally designed by Queen Victoria’s shoemaker J. Sparkes-Hall as an alternative to lace-up riding boots, the Chelsea takes its current name from the well-heeled London borough where they became popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

Look for pairs made from just two pieces of leather or suede, a sign of good craftsmanship, and as Little suggests: “Make sure the elastic at the ankle is strong, as it’s always the first thing to go and is difficult to repair.”

What To Look For

“Chelsea boots works especially well with jeans or tailored, slim fitting trousers with a slight crop,” says Morris. “If you’re going to wear yours with formalwear, make sure the colour of your boot is complimentary to the colour of your suit and opt for a slimmer sole to keep your look streamlined.”

Recommended Brands

Affordable: ASOS, H&M, Marks & Spencer
Premium: Kurt Geiger, Dr Martens, Dune
Luxury: Saint Laurent, R.M. Williams, Crockett & Jones

5. Athletic/Running Shoes (Athleisure)

There’s nothing better than a sleek pair of athletic shoes. Not only can they function as your gym shoes, but they can  be worn with your casual outfits, as well.

I recommend sticking with a black/white, black/grey/white (like above), or navy/white color to ensure that your sneakers compliment all your outfits. Other crazy colors like neon green or a bright red will only draw attention away from your outfit which is why I’m not recommending those colors. You probably wouldn’t know it, but these shoes are one of my clients and almost a year old.

Since all of the shoes I’m recommending have white soles, I highly recommend Jason Markk’s Essential Shoe Cleaner Kit. Just give the soles a quick scrub with the included brush and soap every few weeks and they’ll look good-as-new for a long time.

What To Look For

These athleisure shoes can go with all of your athletic outfits like t-shirts, joggers, polos etc. You can even pair them with your jeans and t-shirt and can look the boy-next door.

Recommended Brands

Affordable: Asics, Lotto, Reebok

Premium: Nike, Puma, Under-Armour, Air Jordan