How many pairs of shoes do you own? That may seem like a strange question, but your answer may reveal quite a lot about your social behaviour and sense of style. Although women are more often associated with extensive footwear collections, men are often in need of many shoes too.

One of the reasons for this is that we usually require a range of footwear in order to deal with differing social situations. This may come as a surprise to some! It's certainly the case that some people don't choose to draw any sort of distinction between different situations. It may also be true to say that they can look somewhat out of place as a result. You may have identified this issue already.

So how can you ensure that you are suitably dressed? Shoes are likely to be an integral part of the overall appearance that you create. Although they are sometimes dismissed as being accessories, the reality is that the wrong shoes tend to create a negative impression.

Good examples of this might include an individual wearing sandals to a job interview, or other formal occasion. Some might reason that there is no reason why sandals should not be worn. There is an argument that suggests that we are now used to a lower level of formality. This is obvious in the workplace, for example, where it's become more common for some men to shun suits.

But there are still occasions when it's necessary to look the part. Your shoes are certainly a major part of that. You obviously need to think carefully about the occasion and about the clothes that you will be wearing.

Brown shoes, for instance, can clash rather terribly with black trousers. Similarly, black leather shoes that might be appropriate within an office environment could leave you feeling somewhat silly if you choose to wear them on the beach. It's all about making choices. Some of these choices require little more than common sense.

You may feel that you don't have enough of a sense of style to be able to make the right decisions. There may be a worry that you'll opt for inappropriate footwear, without even realising that you are making a significant mistake. If this sounds like something that could have an impact on you, it may be worth asking for advice.

You probably have friends or family members who would be able to help. If you're intending to buy shoes online, then you might want to get a second opinion before choosing your final purchase. There's usually little harm in delaying such a decision in order to ensure that you make the right choice.