The Young Oendo Journal

Which shoes go with which suit

The rule of thumb: the darker and more formal the suit, the darker and sleeker the shoe. Match your belt to your shoes, always.

The five pairs every Kenyan man should own

1. A black cap-toe oxford — interviews, court, funerals, the boardroom. If you own one formal pair, this is it.
2. A brown brogue or derby — the workhorse. Suits, chinos, jeans; Monday to Saturday.
3. A loafer — tassel or penny, in leather or suede. Smart casual, church, dinner.
4. A weekend shoe — a suede moccasin or driving shoe for long drives, travel and errands.
5. A clean leather sneaker — for everything else.

Buy the oxford first and the sneaker last. Rotate them, and each pair lasts years longer.

What to wear to a Kenyan wedding

The groom. A black or dark brown oxford for the church service; if the reception runs late and formal, a patent or velvet pair for the evening. Break them in for a week beforehand — you will be standing for hours.

Groomsmen. Matching pairs photograph best. Order early so every size is in stock, and send us the list on WhatsApp — we will check sizes for the whole party.

Guests. Daytime garden weddings: a brown loafer or monk strap. Evening receptions: black oxfords or a velvet slipper. For a ruracio or traditional ceremony, choose comfort — soft leather and a cushioned sole for a long day on grass.