Nick Carvell: ‘Men’s shoes haven’t been this exciting in years’

Many men see footwear as a necessary function rather than something that can raise our style game and help an outfit stand out. But, in a world where every detail matters, the shoes you choose impact on everything, from your first impression to your personal style.

Enter Nick Carvell, footwear advocate and editor of men’s lifestyle magazine The Jackal, to tell us how to put our best foot forward.

What’s your earliest footwear memory?
I remember being very excited by my first pair of light-up LA Gear trainers. They were chunky, Velcro-fastened and flashed red all around the heel when you walked – a bit like car indicators. I think they’d be quite on-trend now with the current ugly trainer vibe in menswear!

Is footwear the most important accessory?
I’d say so. I can’t really get on board with not wearing shoes – I have a pair of embroidered slip-on mules specifically for wearing around the house. I feel a bit odd having guests round who might have dressed up especially then greeting them just in socks.

Why do you think men are paying more attention to footwear?
Because men’s shoes haven’t been this exciting in years – there’s never been such a breadth of choice or opportunity to wear them. Now that trainers can be legitimately worn to many workplaces and smarter shoes can be worn with more casual outfits, it feels like shoes are an easy way for men to explore their own personal style and expand their sartorial horizons.

What’s your biggest piece of advice when it comes to investing in shoes?
My grandfather always used to say: ‘Invest in your shoes and your sheets, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other.’ You spend a lot of time in your shoes, so buy the best you can for your budget. Whether it’s a pair of sneakers or slip-on loafers, look out for little marks of quality that will ensure they’ll stay a solid part of your wardrobe for many years to come.

What’s the one shoe trend every man should try?
Socks and Birkenstocks in the summer. Breezy.

What shoes would you recommend for a wedding?
It totally depends on what you’re wearing. I’m going to be a groom later this year and I’m wearing an off-white suit with a pair of teal embroidered slippers. I’d say as a general rule, black is the best choice for a leather shoe as it just feels a little smarter than brown, but if you’re having a more casual wedding then there are no rules.

What are your favourite weekend shoes?
I’d say a pair of low-top white tennis shoes. They don’t need to be crisp – a scuff or two adds character and shows that you know how to have a good time.

What shoes work well for a first date?
An oxblood leather penny loafer: they’re smart and show you’ve made an effort, but not so smart that it looks like you’re trying too hard to impress.

And now for our quick-fire round. Chelsea boots or desert boots?
Chelsea boots – I find them far more versatile. You can wear them with a suit to the office on a wet day or jeans on a weekend and you’ll look instantly smarter.

High-top trainers or low-top trainers?
I’m a big fan of a high-top if it’s an old-school canvas basketball silhouette, like a pair of Converse All Stars. For everything else, low-tops.

Sandals or flip-flops?
I think sleek, strappy leather sandals are smart with a slim suit at the height of summer. Flip-flops are great on the beach or by the pool, but if you’re not near a body of water, I think there are better options out there.

Brogues or Oxfords?
For me, black brogues with a suitably chunky sole.

  Nick’s picks
Nick Carvell shares his favourite styles at John Lewis & Partners