How to Buy Wing Tips
For those who wonder what qualifies as a wing tip shoe, the answer is simple. All wingtip shoes feature a cap toe that comes to a point over the center of the foot, so they look like wings on the top of your shoes. Traditionally, these shoes were made with contrasting colors, but that's not a necessary component of the shoe; on the design along the toe determines the style, and while they're always a popular choice for men, women will also find these as trendy, fun choices from time to time.
Starting with the ladies, who overall lack the selection men will find in wing tips, we recommend checking with
Fratelli Rossetti for a nice selection. Fratelli Rossetti uses numbered styles rather than names, so simply look for wingtips under the designer name, and check out the
Oxford wingtip with perforated details across every seam, plus high quality workmanship throughout the shoes.
For the men, a huge variety of wing tip styles are available from
Stacy Adams and
Florsheim. The latter brand features very professional or formal shoes with comfortably padded ankles and a dedicated attention to quality. Florsheim's Lexington is a popular choice for dress-wear, while the Bristow is more suitable for the office. Stacy Adams offers a greater variety of styles, including the very traditional contrasting colors of the Dayton or Genesse, as well as new shapes like the Fresno squared toe. The Genesse also comes in different finishes, from the soft smooth or patent leather you would expect, to a visually intriguing crocodile-embossed pattern.
Rockport generally tends toward traditional colors and styles, and between the non-skid soles and comfortable details through the interior, you'll be pleased with this choice for everyday wear.
Allen-Edmonds is similar with their combination of wingtip and Oxford shoe style, but their choice of fine leathers sets the brand apart.
Bostonian takes the same approach to this shoe style, using only the highest quality leather but enhancing the perforated patterns around the shoes.
Gucci adds a soft suede to their line of wing tip Oxfords, a good way to explored different colors and textures while maintaining a traditional look.