What your shoes reveal about you
"IF a man does not take care of his shoes, why would he take care of me?" From Converse to killer heels, we reveal what your shoes say about you.
YOUR shoes are normally the last item of clothing you put on.
Those shoes, though, reveal a lot about you - people immediately take notice of them and judge you accordingly in business and personal relationships.
Dr Angela Bahns, of Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and researchers from Kansas University, published the study Shoes as a source of first impressions.
While it's no surprise that age and income could be gleaned from the wearer's shoe, interestingly their personality could also be judged - specifically their "agreeableness" (one of the Big Five personality traits) and their attachment anxiety: the quality of preoccupation with, and insecurity over, one's relationships with other people.
"Shoes serve a practical purpose, and also serve as non-verbal clues with symbolic messages. People tend to pay attention to the shoes they wear," Dr Bahns said.
The study found the most boring shoes belonged to those who found it hard to form relationships because the wearers are emotionally "aloof and repressive" and don't care what others think of them so they don't stand out in their general appearance.
Ex-Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating's red shoe shuffle
Shoes not new but kept immaculate belong to conscientious types. Practical and functional shoes belong to agreeable people.
Predictably, expensive shoes reflect high income earners, whereas flash and colourful pairs belong to extroverts.
"I am single and when I met someone and see that their shoes are unclean, scruffy, then I know it is not going to happen," said Faith Agugu, director of Sydney's Raw Fashion Agency, who has five pairs of shoes under her work desk.
"If a man does not take care of his shoes, why would he take care of me? If he comes to a dinner date in white sneakers it's a no-go."
Agugu also said a person's shoes had an effect on business.
"I tend to make assessments of clients in my head. I think I am going to do business with someone on the phone, then when they turn up, I take a look at their shoes - I know whether I have got it right or wrong."
Stylist, presenter and fashion commentator Jeff Lack said his shoe mantra is "keep them clean in good repair and suitable for the weather and occasion."
He added: "We make a first impression in a very short space of time. The way we assess each other is face, smile, grooming, footwear then the overall outfit before finishing back to the face.
"Why do we check each other's footwear out so much? Our footwear tells us a lot about each other. Are we clean and tidy? Do we have taste? Are we reliable? Contemporary? Image conscious? Where do we stand in society?"
Professor James Arvanitakis, of the Institute of Culture and Society at the University of Western Sydney, said there were definite "no-nos" about certain shoes in society.
"Boat shoes would not be seen in any company office, except perhaps Sydney's lower north shore.
"White sneakers belong to geeks and nerds, whereas black sneakers are hip."
Prof Arvanitakis said that men had a long way to go to match their female counterparts.
"Women often have three pairs of shoes with them when they leave home. Sports shoes to walk to and from walk, comfortable flat shoes for work and then expensive label shoes for going out.
"I have been to dinners where all the women change their shoes when they leave. It has happened three times," he said.
Lisa Joseph, of Josephs Shoes, The Strand, Sydney, said the correct type of shoe wear is vital.
"A shoe tells you everything about a man and a woman, it is a window to the soul," she said.
Kim Wilson, a News Corp Australia executive fashion editor, echoed Ms Joseph's view.
"Shoes are crucial to completing an outfit. You could step out in the latest designer dress - with your hair expertly coiffured and your make-up perfectly applied - but if your shoes are scuffed or not suited to the outfit, a keen observer's eye will be automatically be drawn to your feet. That's especially true of men because guys tend to dress more similarly to each other and so the eye is drawn to the point of difference - more often than not it's a badly kept or styled pair of shoes.
"The opposite is also true, that if a girl is wearing a killer pair of heels or a guy is wearing a cool pair of sneakers, their feet get immediate attention for all the right reasons."
What shoes do you wear and what do they say about you? Here's our guide
White trainers: Made for athletes and that's where they should now stay. "That Nike look is so passé. You're living in a time gone by," says Lisa Joseph
Street shoes: Vans, Nike, New Balance, Converse: Hip for students and early-twenties with so many colours but beyond that you're just immature. Dress up and dress down but there's limits. "With a suit, just so ridiculous," she says.
Brogues: Visually reek of being dependable, not extrovert. "Hugely fashionable, casual and smart. The brown tan brogues are really wonderful. Makes you look appealing."
Loafers: Yes, you do take care of yourself, but what about me? "The penny loafer revival is a great look with a sports jacket,"says Joseph. Loafers have been around for 60 years.
Knee-high boots: You're open to conversation but don't be a prat and you need long legs. "High boots are sexy, they show you are confident. Equally the ankle boots look great and show you are fun."
Short ankle-length boots: A sense of fun, but ambitious and determined. "My Koalabi boots are sheepskin-lined and so comfortable. I love them because they are comfortable and trendy. As the owner of a fashion agency, I cannot be seen wearing something without street cred," says Faith Agupu
Wedges: Show confidence, suggests being extrovert. "If you can carry them in style, then it's a great look." - Joseph
Thongs: Only at home, on the beach and in Australia. "Why do men wear their thongs in cities, it is just wrong. What does it show - you're too poor for casual shoes?" - Joseph
Stilettos: Uber-feminine, outgoing personality, enjoys new experiences.
Chunky platform boots: Confidence/insecurity issue, needs to feel butt-kickingly powerful.
Two-and-a-half inch heels: A woman who knows herself very well, comfortable in her own skin and knows what she likes when she sees it. Sexy, self-assured.
Sandals: Confident about herself, probably working in a professional field, not that easy to get along with.
Ankle-strap flats: Only for those with long, slim legs. Confident, a good earner, ambitious.
Flats: Look for the chunky ankle. Seen as a conformist, traditional, perhaps a little timid. Print flats, though, tell another story.
Footnote: The author was prompted to write this story when his wife refused to go out with him for an evening meal in his Ecco workshoes (pictured below). She said: "I have always hated them but as they are for work I never let on. But you're not taking me out in those and when did you last give them a polish? Please change."
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