Men: do you look at other men's shoes?

During a recent discussion with friends, I asserted that, generally, men don’t look at other men’s shoes.

I’m willing to accept it if I was wrong. As one data point, I don’t look at other men’s shoes unless the shoes are deliberately drawing attention (like neon yellow and orange platform sneakers with glitter and feathers) or are otherwise out of place for whatever reason (like wearing Crocs with a three-piece suit, or wearing dress shoes on the beach with swim trunks).

In general, do you look at other men’s shoes?

In general, no. However, if a gentleman is dressed in black tie, sometimes I’ll look to see whether he’s wearing patent leather, as well.

No. I notice on women though because the way the color coordinate everything fascinates me.

The other day I saw a lady pull a phone out of her purse. The colors on her phone case matched the colors she was wearing. That much thought to detail amazes me. :slight_smile:

That isn’t really a guy thing to do. The question is better phrased the opposite way. “Why do women love shoes so much?” My ex wife has over 200 pairs of designer shoes that cost a modest fortune. I have 6 because that is all that I need and work buys most of them for me. My daily wear (Timberland Pros) can handle just about anything so that is usually all I need for any situation. I like nice clothes too on some level but I almost never even glance at someone’s feet. Don’t even get me started on impractical shoes like high heels.

Sitting on a public toilet, I might glance at the shoes in the next stall because what else is there to look at in a toilet stall?

Ewwww, no.

I look. I judge.

Sue me.

No, not shoes. Not pants. Not shirts. I’m not very observant. Hell, I don’t even notice women’s shoes.

Usually, no. But yes in certain limited circumstances which is how I voted.

I have relocated and am interviewing for jobs. I take note of how male employees are dressed at the places I have interviewed, including their shoes. It gives me a slight glimpse as to how formal the office is. And since I moved from a more casual culture this helps me reset what is normal here.

Men’s shoes, which aren’t mine, in my house and unattended, will definitely get my attention.

But if they’re just moving down the street with someone’s feet in them, couldn’t care less. There was a time in my life when I did pay attention to men’s shoes, but that was in The Army.

I think the only thing that I’ve noticed about other men’s style is that: (1) my old intern once wore a nice pair of shoes, and (2) whereas most men in my office wear either suits or button-down shirts, one guy boldly wears Hawaiian prints.

My office once had a conversation about how a bunch of visitors from an investment bank were all wearing Ferragamo ties, which turned into a discussion about who in the office owned Ferragamo ties. I hadn’t noticed the men’s ties, I have no idea if I own a Ferragamo tie, and I couldn’t describe a single tie anyone in our office has worn in the last ten years. I wouldn’t recognize a Ferragamo tie if I were being strangled with it.

I was going to answer with “Other men wear shoes?” but I saw that was one of the poll options. Well played.

You know, I think just a couple days ago, I would have said “no” to this.

But last night I was watching Robert Downey Jr. on Jimmy Kimmel and did a WTF over his shoes.

Yeah, I definitely noticed.

I like shoes. I’m not a stereotypical guy who owns 2 pairs of shoes; tennis shoes and black dress shoes. I probably own around 40 shoes. I probably have 4-6 pair that are my regular rotation of shoes. This was an advantage when I was single as I can tell you that maybe most men don’t notice other men’s shoes… but women do. :wink:

Anyway, I look at other men’s shoes whom I interact with in both professional and social settings. That’s not to say EVERY man’s shoes, I may pass a few guys when out and about that I ignore. But if I’m talking to you, I’ve probably glanced. It’s not exactly subconsciously or consciously. I do notice when someone is wearing really inappropriate shoes for their attire or situation.

Is he the guy in the middle with the Converse High Tops, or the guy on the right with glasses and strange shoes?

I do only when I see another fly fisher. I am a gear junkie and will note everything from his boots to every other piece of visible gear.

Neon green sneakers as you are approaching me I may notice. But other than that I rarely even see if you have feet; I just assume something is helping you remain upright.

The guy on the right. The middle guy, Tom Holland, is wearing casual clothes that the Converses don’t “clash with”.

This.

Now I’m wondering if anyone looks at my shoes. I buy boat-shoes that I wear pretty much every day unless the snow is deep. I wear them as dress shoes, casual shoes, work shoes, boating shoes, etc. When they fall apart I buy a new pair. The ones I have on now look pretty awful, but haven’t begun disintegrating just yet.

Other mens’ shoes don’t interest me, but if they’re drawing attention to themselves hard enough then of course I notice them - I’m not blind. Note that in some context this includes the atheist option - going barefoot can be pretty noticeable in some contexts.

I apply the exact same rule to women, with the note that it seems to me that women are more likely to be trying to draw attention to their feet than men often do.