Now, mainstream blue high heels brands such as Brooks Brothers and Cole Haan are stepping in. For spring, Brooks Brothers launched five new colors for its suede bucks, including Nantucket red and lime green. "We don't want our customer having to go to another store to buy his weekend shoes," says Jeff Blee, divisional merchandise manager of men's furnishings and accessories.
The red and green white high heels bucks are entering some stores this month, with a fuller rollout in March. Brooks Brothers also designed belts in grosgrain and suede that are color-coordinated with the shoes, taking the what-goes-with-this question off the table. Mr. Blee says such shoes can be worn with shorts, jeans, white pants, or a light summer suit. "These lime shoes pop silver high heels poplin suit or khakis," he says. "Wear [them] with a pink oxford or gingham, and madras or repp tie or bowtie, and it equals classic prep."
While the wild styles inject some whimsy into the staid world of men's shoes, they pose challenges. With some styles, it's a small step from fancy to foolish. And color-coordinating becomes even more difficult. These are shoes that generally won't work at the office, comfortable high heels except in creative fields.
Julie Rath, founder of Rath & Co. Men's Style Consulting in New York, advises men to tone down the rest of the outfit with neutral colors like grey and tan or with denim or khakis. She suggests avoiding big, bold patterns. "Pinstripes are fine, as long as they are muted and low-contrast. For other patterns like checks, I'd keep them small to medium in scale and again low-contrast."
