Studies have shown that the first thing a woman notices about a man is his shoes. Not his smile, not his sports coat, but his shoes. Having the right shoes can literally make or break her first impression of you, so it’s time to retire those flip flops or the beat up, broken down old Converse kicks that you have from the last eight years. Choose these shoes and get the girl.

Look Important in Business Shoes

“Business leather shoes will give you a high profile look”

Wearing business shoes makes an outfit both professional and casual. You could pair slacks and a button up shirt with understated sneakers and have a nice causal look, but pair those same clothes with pressed leather black formal shoes and you’re sending the message that you are successful and powerful. You’re the kind of guy who cares about his looks and wants to make the best impression possible.

If you’re going to go for business shoes, leather is always better than canvas, and unless you’re buying it to pair with a specific suit or dress pants/shirt combo, black is always better than brown. Make sure you keep your shoes in good working order. Nothing ruins a look more than seeing scuffed, dingy formal shoes. If you’re going to wear these shoes, you have to commit to oiling them and brushing them enough to keep them in good working order, or there’s simply no point. A class sneaker looks better than a scruffy formal shoe.

Look Outgoing in Casual Shoes

“The choice of shoes also depends on the type of clothes you wear”

If you’re not going to be wearing business attire, you need a good fall back shoe in the casual range. It can be tempting to shell out a lot of money for name brand, celebrity endorsed, brightly colored, oversized clown shoes, but don’t. Women aren’t impressed with clunky ugly shoes; you’ll do a lot better on the dating front if you stick to something less showy.

A good, understated sneaker or skate shoe in black, with some white or silver highlights, sends the message that you’re sleek and practical along with being elegant. You’re not bragging with your shoes, but shoes like that go great with a variety of casual outfits and it never really clashes. However, like the business shoes, you should keep your casual shoes in good condition. Muddy, dirty, stained or frayed, every mark against your shoe is a mark against you. Keep your shoes looking better for longer by having multiple pairs and switching them off every week so they wear less and you have a longer time to keep them clean. Finally, patch any little problems you may have with them before they become big problems.

Shoes are the unlikely gateway to a woman’s heart and interest, so remember to keep yours in great condition. Invest in understated but elegant shoes, whether they are business or casual, and maintain them so that you’re never caught in an embarrassing pair of old sneakers when you’re introduced to a beautiful girl. As for boots? Not unless you’re going on a hike.