If you have ever watched Sex in the City, you already know what many women value the most when it comes to their wardrobe. The value what the main character Carrie Bradshaw valued. They value shoes. But not just any plain old shoes. We’re talking exotic shoes. In fact, the more exotic the shoe the better. At least in the case of Carrie Bradshaw.
Mens exotic shoes, on the other hand, are a completely different story. Completely different in the sense that you might not know there is even a market for such things. Rest assured, there is, and how. Alligator skin shoes, artisan shoes, crocodile skin shoes, and other exotic skin shoes are making the rounds to stores throughout the country and the world. There is, indeed, a market for mens exotic shoes.
In today’s shoe market, men’s dress shoes account for roughly 6% of the market share, and it is climbing. In 2014, men’s designer footwear saw a 39% value sales growth since the year 2009. One of the reasons for this growth can be traced to the millennial demographic. Men ages 18-34, or roughly 75 million people, account for the key customer base that mens exotic shoes and accessories appeal to.
In addition to exotic dress shoes, Millenial men are accessorizing with luxury leather belts and watches. Their style is a new wave of hip that is rooted in traditional style but with a modern flair.
These millennial men who are on the forefront of fashion trends have even been given their own names. The Henry (high earner, not rich yet) and the Yummy (young, urban male) are a generation that is attempting to replace the saggy jeans and t-shirts with ironic sayings of their youth with more fashionable attire designed for this generation’s twist.
The well-groomed beard of the flannel wearing hipster is not the grunge of his father’s youth but a new, expensive style that is born of a new generation. A young, professional man can dress sharply in his business casual for the office complete with loafers and make the change to a sharp suit with mens alligator shoes for the wedding he is attending over the weekend.
Every generation has a look that it is keen to call its own. From the everyday casual wear to the formal tuxedo attire needed for the most formal occasions. The millennial men have adopted their fashion and the look has taken root.
It’s hard to say what Carrie Bradshaw might say about mens exotic shoes in our modern day and age, but I can’t help but wonder if she wouldn’t give them at least some kind of review. She was always pretty picky about how her men dressed and given her penchant for a well-crafted set of footwear, would probably have an opinion or two to share with the world.
No matter what your taste, though, you have to admit that the boys are styling.
