Nine to Three Thirty

For most of us, shoes are a necessity. For others, they are much more than that, a passion maybe. Whatever your relationship with shoes, you don’t have to overspend to have good looking, comfortable shoes. In fact, deals abound when it comes to shoe shopping. Smart strategies can save you more money, so you can either buy more shoes or use your savings to splash out on something else. Here are my smart ways to save money on shoes.

• Buy in the sales.  This sounds simple, but it’s easier when you have a small or large foot size rather than something in the middle of the range.  With my very average foot size, I find it difficult to get sales bargains, but I know friends with small feet that have got some amazing bargains.  Take a look at Supersales at any time of year.  If it’s Nike sale time, it’s particularly worth checking out.
• Buy off season.  If you buy your winter boots in the height of summer or your sandals in January, you might be able to pick up a real bargain.
• If you are a fan of a particular shoe retailer or brand, get on their mailing list.  By doing that you’ll be the first to know about any offers that are available.  Often there will be offers once or twice a season for 10% or more off and if you’ve already picked out your favourite styles, you’ll be ready to swoop in when these promotions are on. Some brands will offer you a better deal if you buy an extra pair of shoes too, which is great if you love that brand or the retailer has a wide selection to choose from.
• Don’t buy cheap shoes.  There’s quite a difference between getting a bargain on quality footwear and buying something cheap that will only last five minutes.  Good quality shoes will look better throughout their life and last longer too.  Most high-quality shoes are branded because of excellent workmanship and a good reputation they want to establish and maintain. The chances are that you’ll save money in the long run by investing in a well made pair of shoes.  Leave the cheap shoes for passing fashions, but anything that you are likely to wear for the longer term, should be of a decent standard.
• Using promo codes or discount codes to help you save a few bucks on your next shoe purchase. Look at outlet stores if there’s a suitable one that stocks the shoes you like.
• Ask for the floor model. If you want a pair of shoes that isn’t in stock, and the floor model fits, you may be able to get it for less. Floor models typically sell at a discount since they have been handled. See if you can snag this pair for 10-20% off.

It’s good to know that you can be kind to your feet without having a devastating effect on your wallet.  Using these strategies will help you get good quality, long-lasting shoes that will take you comfortably through all that life throws at you.

A good quality suit is something that every gent must have in his wardrobe because you never know when you might need it.  A suit should always be carefully considered and good quality is always better as that will give you a wardrobe staple with a long lifetime of wear. Purchasing a suit is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, most men wear suits for formal occasions or when there’s a good impression to be made, so it’s important to choose the right type of suit to create the best possible look without sacrificing personal comfort.

• Preparation is key.  A suit is a major purchase, so look around online to get an idea of the styles, fabrics and colours available.  Try having a look at a site like Suitsmen which has a wide range of styles and plenty of choice.
• When shopping for a new suit, you’ll need to consider fabric. Cotton and linen are excellent choices for the summer months or less formal occasions. But if you’re planning to wear your suit during the winter, you may want to choose a heavier fabric like wool. Wool is heavier than both cotton and linen, so it will keep you warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Many suits have a mix of fabrics like wool, polyester and lycra.  Each material used adds a quality to the mix: wool is warm, polyester is hard wearing and lycra is great for stretch and comfort.
• Colour is important too. Blue, black and dark grey suits are probably the most common choices, but those colours will seem a bit oppressive in the summer. If you are looking to stand out from the crowd, you might want a colour that makes a bit of a statement. Whatever colour you choose, you need to match the garments and accessories with which you wear it. If you’re planning to wear a brown suit, for example, don’t choose a black button-up shirt. Instead, choose a shirt in a colour that matches brown.
• A good fit is all important. Undersized suits are also a poor choice because of their constricting appearance.  The other downside is that they can lead to stretching and this can permanently damage your suit by causing certain areas of the fabric to stretch while retaining the original size and shape of the other areas. If your suit is too big for your body, the excess fabric will drape off your body creating an awkward and unflattering appearance. Trouser length is important too. Your suit trousers should fully cover your legs and ankles when you stand up. If any part of your leg or socks are visible, you should consider choosing trousers in a longer length.
• Add years to your suit’s life by buying an extra pair of trousers or two.  Extra trousers means that you don’t need to have your suit cleaned as frequently and your suit will last longer.  It’s almost always the trousers that wear out first on a suit, so it’s worth protecting your investment by having an additional pair to hand.