How to Style Driving Shoes for Men and Women

Driving shoes have made a successful comeback in the shoe industry, with trendy, upbeat styles that can work with almost every kind of outfit. The shoes have a very interesting history – they were originally designed by an Italian shoe maker to provide comfortable footwear for men who drove long distances in cars. The shoes became so popular that they came out with designs for driving moccasin for women, among others.

It's been more than five decades since the original car shoe was created. Present day versions are more colourful, have more pizazz, and are designed for literally every type of shoe wearer. You have vegan driving shoes, and even gluten free versions.

The Style

Because the shoes are designed similar to a moccasin, they can be styled with everything you'd wear moccasins with, and you can drive hundreds of miles in these shoes without worrying about your feet hurting. This is a wonderful idea for a road trip or a short weekend getaway because you wouldn't need to pack any extra pair of shoes – you can wear them to the beach, while strolling in a park, or a long day of holidaying.

Car shoes are designed differently for both men and women. If you're a guy who wants to buy a pair of these shoes but you're confused about styling them and what to wear them with, read our tips -

The Colour

First, if you're new to car shoes, buy a pair in a neutral colour – black is a good option to start with. Opt for black leather if possible, since you can make it work with both formal and casual outfits. Before buying the shoes, try walking in them for a few minutes to ensure they are comfortable and fit well.

A black pair will work well with formal and casual pants, jeans, and shorts. You can wear t-shirts or shirts or even layer on a light jacket during fall. The shoes make a great transitional pair for summer to fall or winter wear.

Ladies, make the driving moccasin for women a wardrobe staple. Whether you're wearing shorts, or jeans, or even a summer dress, you can make driving shoes work with just about everything. They come in a lot of different colours – buy a trendy teal or a bright pink for the summer. Wear a neutral colour with pants to work or to a business meeting, rock the pink for a shopping trip. Wear them to the beach, or to the mall! The options are limitless.

Just remember to use a damp cloth to wipe the shoes clean. Take care not to get the leather shoes damp. But most of all, just wear them so you can finally drive comfortably.

A Guide for Choosing the Perfect Driving Shoes

When it comes to driving, safety is always paramount. This also goes with the kind of clothing you wear and the shoes. An integral part of safety along with your seat belt are the right kind and type of footwear. Most people neglect driving shoes or are not aware that driving requires that you wear a certain type of footwear.

Developed mainly after the 1950s and 60s after the sports car boom, shoe manufacturers started showing a special interest in making shoes that would combine comfort, utility, safety, and also look good outside of the car too.If you are looking for the perfect car shoes, here’s what all you should be looking at

Safety

The prime factor for selecting driving shoes is safety. Since these shoes are purpose built for driving, they offer tremendous protection to the feet in the event of an accident. The common feature of these shoes is that they have a protecting layer which provides safety to your foot, from the toes to the heels. Also, in the event of a collision, there is a high chance that the clutch, brake, and the accelerator pedals might pierce your foot. So these shoes also offer sufficient protection that prevents the pedals from causing damage to your feet.

Comfort

Another important aspect for selecting the right car shoes is comfort. Most shoes which are made for comfort do not offer any protection to the driver and most shoes which are designed specifically for driving, do not offer much comfort. But these days footwear manufacturers have started making shoes which offer both, comfort and protection to the wearer. The utilitarian design of shoes these days manufactured for driving offer the user with comfort for driving and for walking as well. The soft sole design of these shoes ensures that the wearer is at ease while driving and while walking.

Utility

When footwear manufacturers started coming out purpose built shoes for driving in the 50s and the 60s, they were so focussed on making them look driving oriented that the result was that you couldn’t wear those shoes anywhere else except for driving. Plus, they were made out of pure leather which made them somewhat of a shoe for the rich. Recently all this has changed and manufacturers and designers have come out with the concept of ‘one shoe’ which can be used for both driving and walking. Now most driving shoes are elegantly designed which makes them wearable for any occasion and don’t cost an arm and a leg to purchase.

Now-a-days almost every major shoe manufacturer makes shoes which can be used for driving and they look exactly like your everyday shoes like loafers, moccasins etc. So follow this guide before purchasing shoes for driving.

What Makes Driving Shoes a Great Choice?

Driving shoes are one of the top accessories that men and women can own. These comprise of a soft texture, are made from high-quality leather and can be of either a soft sole or a hard sole. These are versatile shoes that can be worn by men and women both, officially and casually. Their comfortable nature makes them the perfect pair to wear while driving. The special soles assure a better grip while pressing the break or the clutch, making your driving experience much smoother and relaxed.

Designs

These shoes come in a comparatively simpler design since the focus is more on comfort. However, having said that, a number of companies are now making specialised car shoes that come in a great variety and colours that can be matched with any outfit or any occasion. With different kinds of shoe craftsmanship, these will be a precious addition to your collection of shoes.

Car shoes for men and women

Earlier, driving was an activity undertaken majorly by men only. However, with the changing times, women started working and traveling, sometimes even more than men. Keeping this in mind, a number of shoe companies have created exclusive shoes for women as well. Women driving shoes come with a number of different embellishments and colours so that they can match it with their outfits. Some of the more detailed designs include beadwork, laces or even metallic motifs. On the other hand, men’s shoes are low key and subtle, with a striking style and classic look. The men’s colours are usually on the dark side like black, blue or brown while the women’s colours include a complete palette.

Pairing them

The best part about these shoes is that you can pair them up with absolutely anything and it will enhance your fashion statement to an entire new level. You can wear the style as per the occasion and match the colours to your dresses. Men can wear these shoes on an outing with friends, formal dinners or even when going out for a date. They can be paired up with shorts, formal pants and jeans as well. Women can choose their style based on the occasion and outfit and create a complete ensemble in no time!

For those who enjoy driving, these shoes are a must-have accessory to elevate your driving skills, have a simpler driving experience and add some fashion to your wardrobe.

The Growing Trend of Driving Shoes

With car fashion becoming a new trend of modern times, it is no surprise that car accessories have gained tremendous demand. The concept of beauty and automobiles together is growing diverse and inviting new ideas and innovation in the industry. Due to this, various companies are now launching special accessories to be worn while driving, ensuring that your car comfort is at its peak. Driving shoes are one such accessory that have gained tremendous support from the car lovers. Various elite and rich people considered this as a style statement and ensured that they had a separate pair of shoes reserved for driving.

The Fashion Statement

Driving shoes are not just about the comfort or ease of driving, they are also filled with lots of fashion sense and have their own style statement. These car shoes come in different textures, designs and varieties. You will find bold animal prints, hot colours, elegant designs, and custom-made shoes in the market. These shoes match with different apparels as well. You can find a pair that matches with shorts, one that goes with jeans and some special ones to go with women’s skirts. Due to the wide range of products, everyone can buy a pair that suits their style statement.

The Growth of Markets

Designers are now creating multi-functional shoes which means that you can use them anytime, apart from driving as well.This had led to a wider market of shoes and many customers are now opting to buy these shoes. Earlier, they were designed and marketed especially for the elite class, making them an object of desire for the others. However, now with the growing trend, marketers have understood the potential in the market and they are now selling shoes to everyone.

The Most Popular Feature

Since these shoes are specifically called car shoes, it is important to understand the feature that separates them from your regular shoes. The treads extending from the sole protects the heels while driving. This keeps your feet protected from stress when you drive. The soles are also designed to be soft to ensure complete comfort while driving. In some shoes, there are additional features to enhance movement and manoeuvring. The ultra-thin style of the shoes also ensures that it snugs your feet without causing any slipping or moving inside or around the shoe. This keeps your shoes intact and helps maintain steady driving.

Shoes have always been a great fashion statement for men and women alike. With special shoes designed for driving, you can upgrade your wardrobe and add some style and comfort into your driving routine.

Road Safety with the Right Footwear

When it comes to driving, safety is obviously the most essential concern for all involved. Apart from your ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner, you need to be sure of the condition of your car, your comfort in handling difficult on-road situations and your overall reaction time while driving. One of the important factors that influence your reaction time is your choice of footwear. Your driving shoes can hamper or enhance your ability to react to diverse road situations.

Here, you take a closer look at the importance of the “right” car shoe and their overall role in safe driving.

Driving Shoes for Women Drivers

While operating their vehicles, most women drivers choose to wear footwear that matches with their overall attire and style—rather than align with their comfort of driving. It is important to steer clear of stilettos and very high heeled shoes as they tend to put the driver at high risk. Platforms or wedged heels are best avoided too. Such shoes tend to reduce the overall grip on the pedals or get stuck under the mat. Choosing flat pumps or removing heels while driving goes a long way in ensuring higher road safety.

Dangers of Choosing the Wrong Car Shoe

Though they personify comfort and are fast becoming a natural choice for people of all ages, flip-flops are said to be the most dangerous footwear for drivers. Along with the constant fear of slipping off, this popular footwear gets jammed on the carpet or gets stuck between the pedal and your sole—thus leading to greater difficulty while releasing pedals or applying pressure.

Boots, knee-length and ankle shoes are quite restrictive with regards to free ankle movement and prove to be highly dangerous for drivers too–especially those driving on the highway. Driving barefoot is a much preferred choice for many; however, it’s always more sensible and safer to wear protective footwear. If at all you choose go barefoot, then do know that perspiration may lead to lower grip and make your feet slip. Also, over time, you will start experiencing cramps and acute pain in the balls of your feet.

Here, it’s worthwhile to mention that trainers and sneakers have proved to be nearly perfect options; with the exception of those having thick soles.

Recommended Safety Precautions

After understanding the dangers of wearing the wrong shoes while driving, it is well advised to check the levels of pressure applied by your heel while driving barefoot. Thereafter, try to apply the same pressure with the footwear that you wear normally. If you feel that it is less than required, then switch to better shoes that ensure safer driving practices.

Be safe, drive safe!

A Brief on Designer Shoes

Custom shoes have always been the fancy of many style enthusiasts across the globe. While the primary functionality of a shoe is to render protection to the feet, the looks and style must also compliment the personality and purpose of the user. Technically, shoes are an important element of our routine dress code – be it professional/official or casual.

The design, shape and structure of the conventional shoe has evolved over the years and has reached advanced levels of designing. The demand and market for shoes will continue to develop in the future.

Designer Description

Designer shoes are basically premium shoes designed by renowned designers. They are known for their uniqueness and purpose oriented nature – each designer line caters to a specific functional requirement. They are attractive in general and usually comes with a hefty price tag. The price is exclusively based on the reputation of the designer, company or brand. Nonetheless, even a designer shoe maker creates variants for different categories such as driving shoes, trekking boots, casual, party, office, and car shoe etc.

In the light of common understanding, most shoes end up getting used in various activities except for designer ones. The superior design aspects contribute towards its premium quality. Certain fundamental features of identifying a designer shoe are as below:

• Styling

• Looks

• Glam & Glitter

• Fit

• Finish

• Price

As evident from the above mentioned list, designer shoes are beyond the comprehension of common users. It is primarily the design, followed by the brand or designer tag which accounts for the higher price tag.

Practicality & its Advantages

In addition to the elegant styling, some designer shoe lines are extremely functional and serves the purpose flawlessly. Driving shoes, for instance, is subjected to intensive wear and tear regularly. But the quality of the designer wear can endure the stressful circumstances and emerge as a winner. Some of the benefits include:

• Built Material – Leather, Advanced Grade Rubber, Metals, Alloys, etc. are of superlative quality.

• Design – Ubercool Design add to the overall attractiveness.

• Durability – It can endure harsh conditions without cracking.

• Longevity – It lasts longer than most other ordinary counterparts. Some even have the record of keeping designer shoes for decades.

• Low Maintenance – They do not require frequent maintenance as opposed to common ones which needs a stitch after every busy day.

• Social Status – Not everyone is capable of wearing a designer brand because of its exorbitant prices. The ability to afford one itself is a social statement about the richness of the owner. Respect and salutations are inherent characteristics.

Starting from the commonest car shoe to an extravagant range of fashionable sneakers, designer labels have flooded the market because of the unprecedented demand. Besides, the affordability of most consumers is rising by the day.

Understanding the Importance of Driving Shoes

Shoes are technically in existence since time immemorial. The whole concept has passed through various evolutionary phases and today we have different types of shoes for numerous purposes. Every shoe design is based on the specific set of functionality it is going to render.

Definition & Practicality

Shoes are an integral part of our overall grooming/clothing, and hence it is frequently used. The fundamental aspect of a shoe is the protection and safety of our feet although comfort and functionality are equally significant.

Few examples of shoe types are:

• Skating Shoes
• Driving Shoes
• Riding Boots
• Trekking Shoes
• Jogging Shoes
• Sneakers
• Casual Shoes
• Industrial Boots
• Waterproof Boots, and many more.

The list can go on but the fact that a shoe protects our feet from any harm makes it an inseparable element of our regular dressing. The availability of variants is primarily aimed at providing usage comfort while an individual is engaged in a particular activity. E.g. A trekking shoe cannot be worn to a party or event just because of the fact that it would not fit the grooming profile required in a typical party. Likewise, a party shoe does not have the slightest chance of being used for climbing mountains as it lacks certain pre-requisite features such as grip, ruggedness, flexibility etc.

Shoes in Driving

Driving is an art or skill of an individual. While the facets of maneuverability, presence of mind, reflexes, traffic sense etc. count the most, proper driving gear/wear is an equally complimenting factor that facilitates the former. Many enthusiastic folks use proper shoes for driving. The two predominant reasons for the same are as follows:

1. Comfort – Driving a vehicle barefooted is unimaginable nowadays. Shoes are a must but not all shoes provide the necessary comfort in involving ourselves in the footwork pertaining to clutch, brake or acceleration. It is extremely painful and strenuous to drive without proper shoes.
2. Safety & Protection – Needless to say, shoes offer superior protection than ordinary slippers. Adequate layering is of utmost importance to protect the skin from bruises in case of a fall. Furthermore, shoes meant for driving are usually made of leather or mixtures that include leather and similar thick components. This invariably increases the resistive capabilities of the shoe.

Market Trends

Modernization has brought in plenty of online opportunities for sellers and manufacturers. Though the retailers, showrooms and stores are abundantly present, many buy driving shoes online in today’s age. This is because of the incomparable convenience of sitting at home and shopping via the cyberspace. Another notable fact is that a majority of the individuals who buy driving shoes online are working and are from the urban settlements.

Selecting the “Right” Driving Shoes—the Right Way!

It's not very often that the diverse worlds of road safety and fashion intersect, but then, from the time thatdriving shoeshave started becoming popular, fashion houses and the more proponents of trends have started giving this essential accessory a serious thought. Yes, as wearing the wrong shoes while driving can lead to serious safety implications, modern day drivers are now striving to make the “right” choices for their footwear. Read on for what to lookout for.

Choosing the “Correct” Car Shoe

It’s being increasingly seen that people are encountering difficulties while driving. This is mainly because of the improper shoes that they end up wearing. Quite a few claim that their poor footwear had led to losing control,driving dangerously, or having an accident.Driving – especially in erratic traffic conditions that involves constant usage of pedals – can surely take its toll on feet and ankles of the drivers. So, it’s best to invest in the right footwear that manages to keep your feet relaxed and goes a long way in aiding your footwork, improving controls and allowing you to react in a faster manner to the conditions related to the road or changes in traffic. In a nutshell, with the right shoes protecting your feet, you can definitely find yourself becoming a smoother and more efficient driver.

Heels and Soles

In general, your driving shoes should have a thin sole and not be too wide. The heels and soles of the product chosen by you are the key to success. As a rule, thicker soles indicate that it is difficult for your feet to “sense” the pedals properly—thus leading to wrong judgments in the case of applying pressure, accelerating quickly, or braking abruptly. Along with having the right effect on the moods and fears of those seated in your car, presence of the “right” soles and heels will also alleviate the chance of any wears and tears on your vehicle. Choose shoes that have soles with a maximum thickness of 10mm (1cm); withsomething in the tune of 4mm being even better. Avoid wide soles at all costs, as you may end up pressing two pedals at a single go. The most important thing is to know exactly how much pressure to apply and the ways in which your shoes are equipped to manage the same.

Taking a look atthe heels. A car shoe with high ones is the least recommended. Appropriately, the heel of your foot has to be on the car floor to achieve the right position for correct pedal action. High/ platform heels tend to elevate your feet and distort the ability to calculate how much pressure is necessary for controlling the pedals –so choose accordingly.

All the best!