Bravado Living

Marc Jacobs has a great selection of very cool shoes. Sometimes, I would almost say that he makes the coolest shoes. This is one of those times. These Marc Jacobs five-eye lace-up shoes are phenomenal, I love the rich color of the suede, it looks like would taste like chocolate and smell like coffee. I also have a penchant for suede shoes, they always look great just as long as you take care to never get them wet. These style of these lace-ups is very versatile. I wouldn’t mind wearing these puppies with a suit or with a pair of jeans, they’d look great in either way. These are shoes that you really work with; shoes that can be put to practical use and worn anytime be it casual or maybe a little more formal.   The rich, neutral tone of the suede guarantees you can match these shoes with almost practically anything in your closet and really, you can’t ask anymore than that out of a pair of animal skins wrapped around your feet. That’s the type of shoe you want to take with you  on a trip.

BUY IT Marc Jacobs five-eye lace-up shoes in caffe-brown suede $500

Bloomingdale’s, E. 59th St. & Lexington Ave., NYC, (212) 705-2000

Didn’t we tell you that a great pair of shoes didn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. For instance, check out these gorgeous Italian made wingtips with a classic medallion toe. Constructed out of brown calf and suede leathers, these are too casual for the office, but will instantly give your weekend look a touch of “old school cool.”

A man that wears these shoes is the kind of man that wears argyle socks. Probably has a library card. Returns phone calls in a timely manner. Smells clean like the woods. Has neat penmanship. Calls his grandmother at least once a week just to say hi. Can sew a button onto a shirt, if need be. Returns calls in a timely manner. Had a zine in high school and/or a blog now. Has created at least one piece of artwork on his bedroom walls. Writes songs on his acoustic guitar. Knows how to drive stick shift cars. Never kisses and tells. Will make you dinner on your third date. Wears v-neck sweaters. Listens to rap music while he does housework. Appreciates a good scotch. Has a cool brother. Has smoked a cigar and/or a pipe at some point. Owns a shoe shine kit. Likes British sit-coms. In other words, he’s probably a pretty cool guy.

You have to dress for the life you want. Not the life you have. At $130 bucks, these shoes seem like a good place to start.

BUY IT Johnston and Murphy Matheson Wingtip Shoes $130

These suede boots add a touch of casual flair to your jean and shirt combo’s. Made in Italy, the MacAlister boots feature a rubber sole so they are sure to be as comfortable as they look. Rock them with a pair of light colored jeans and a v-neck shirt during the day or some navy jeans and a blazer at night. Get them in dark brown if you want to dress them up a bit.

Suede MacAlister boots

MacAlister Boots, J. Crew $135