Great footwear is an investment that comes with a lifetime of returns and is the foundation of a successful wardrobe. In fact, even the simplest of outfits can be made to appear more than what it is with the right shoe (although, it can just as easily be undone by the wrong one). Fuelled as it were by the luxury sneaker market, men have become increasingly invested in curating their wardrobe from the ground up. Knowing the difference between an oxford and a brogue, Cesare Paciotti from Giuseppe Zanotti is a language with which the modern man has become increasingly fluent. As such, here are Melbourne’s best men’s shoe stores. For those further north, see our guide to the best men’s shoe stores of Sydney here.

124 Shoes
A haven for limited edition and hard-to-find footwear, 124 Shoes is the place to go when you’re after something no one else has. Each pair of shoes is hand-picked from some of Italy’s finest footwear manufacturing regions, made by second and third generation makers using traditional artisan techniques. Here you can find brands such as Marsèll, Shoto, INK and Officine Creatie. Founders Anthony Barbieri and Neville Colaiann launched the 124 Shoes initiative based on a philosophy of providing quality, unique footwear in limited quantities, meaning many if not most styles only come in a single run.

Rocco’s Shoes
Rocco’s Shoes on Malvern’s Station Street is testament to the enduring nature of traditional bespoke experiences. For more than 40 years, this quiet institution has been crafting exquisite custom-made footwear using classic European construction methods. Opened during the 60s, the family owned business traces its roots back to Calabria, where a young Rocco Buffalo learnt his trade at the hands of two uncles and such is Rocco’s skill and reputation, Tom Jones, Bono and even David Bowie have all found their way to his workshop to get their hands - or feet, as it were - into a pair of his hand-made shoes. Today, it is Rocco’s son John who is now at the helm of the business, using the same construction methods and techniques his father learnt as a child back in Italy.

Harrolds
Since opening in 1985 and housing a handful of Italian tailoring brands, Harrolds has cemented their reputation as one of the finest purveyors of luxury fashion. Decadent and indulgent, Harrolds stocks some the biggest names in fashion such as Balenciaga, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Grenson as well as their infamous in-store Tom Ford store. Curation of their footwear follows the same flow as their ready-to-wear garments, with the sneakers teamed with modern designers and streetwear while classic, more conservative styles such as oxfords or brogues styled with the traditional luxury brands. Discover more about Harrolds here.

Sneakerboy
The penultimate destination for lovers of all things sneakers, Sneakerboy is where you go to get those coveted limited editions from Y-3, Alexander McQueen, Yeezy or Balmain. Situated on Little Bourke Street, this futuristic space offers a truly unique retail experience that combines the tactility of a traditional bricks-and-mortar store with the efficiency of online shopping. Stores are carefully curated gallery spaces where consumers can interact with the product and try it on before sitting down to order a brand new pair online at one of the self-service pods located in store. Read more about Sneakerboy here with our interview with founder Chris Kyvestos.

Up There
Since opening their first store in 2010, Up There has become synonymous with classic, no fuss menswear and their selection of footwear stands true to that reputation. Sourced from around the world, their eclectic array of shoes range from staple sneakers from New Balance and Adidas Classics, hard wearing boots and inspired moccasins from American label Yuketen plus local label Christian Kimber. The interiors of each of their three stores follow the same stylish yet simple aesthetic.


Double Monk
Home to some of the finest brands of footwear in the world, Double Monk is the kind of store you could imagine the fictional yet impeccably styled Jame Bond being a regular client of. The leather chesterfields, fully stocked bar and Victorian Ash cabinetry which store the shoes create an entirely elegant, yet masculine, retail experience. After leaving their former professions in law and medicine, brothers and co-founders Nick and Chris Schaerf decided to focus instead on a shared passion of quality men’s footwear. Here you can find brands such as John Lobb, George Cleverley and Crockett & Jones alongside niche accessories like Corgi ties and Saphir shoe-care products.