… get a pair of black wholecuts oxfords, or some dark brown captoes. These two types of dress shoes are higher on the formality scale, and will go well with your navy and gray suits (or similarly colored dress pants). If you get the black wholecuts, they will match with a tuxedo, or a black suit. These shoes are perfect for interviews, funerals, or anything else where you need to up the formality/seriousness.
MOVSM better explains the different types of dress shoes and the associated formality in this thread: thread-58378.html
Black wholecuts
Dark brown blucher captoes
Medium brown oxford captoe
I recommend the black whole cuts over black captoes(not shown), because the whole cuts will look more sleek and to me, look more interesting than a black captoe. I offered the brown captoe (either oxford or a sleek blucher) as an alternative, because of their versatility as they match more colors of clothes than a black shoe. Whichever you pick, get something that is not too rounded, and not too pointy. Good year welt construction(google this) is a must here. These will cost at least $200 for something from the Meermin shoemakers.
Most likely, this first pair of shoes will be too formal to go with jeans. Depending on the cut/style of your chinos, you may be able to wear these shoes with them.
Quick note on shoe care: Don’t wear your dress shoes two days in a row. Your shoes will last longer when they get a chance to rest a day between wearings, as moist leather breaks down quickly. When buying these shoes, make sure to get a pair of shoe trees that are sized to not stretch your shoes, a decent shoe horn, and some shoe bags.
Don’t wear these to a busy dance club, or else they could get messed up. Don’t wear them in the rain, especially if you have leather soles. Also, suede is a lot easier to care for than you think. They don’t require shoe shines. Just brush ‘em when they are dirty, and put on some spray waterproofer. Learn some basic shoe maintenance (clean, moisturize, and polish) and these shoes could last 10-15 years with regular use, or even longer, if only worn for special occasions.
If you’ve got the budget and desire to get two pairs of shoes, get the black wholecuts AND pick one of these 3 shoes types below in either medium or dark brown. Since you are already picking the black wholecuts, your 2nd pair does not have to be as formal as one of the brown shoes I mentioned above. Don’t fall for the trap of getting a tan colored shoe here for your first pairs of shoes, as tan won’t match as many colors as you may think.
Brogues/Wingtips in suede(more casual) or calf leather (more formal) – A bit more casual than the wholecuts/captoe. These can go from suits all the way down to jeans and everything in between. Oxfords look sleeker but bluchers and derbies will work with your clothes more if your style is casual.
Dress loafers in suede or calf leather – These are a bit more casual than the option above. Comfortable and great for the summer, especially in suede. If you don’t wear suits as often, a dress loafer makes a great option. Definitely works with jeans and you can even wear these with shorts. Go for a sleek version if you plan to wear these with more formal clothes, or go with a more rounded toe for casual chinos/jeans/shorts.
Norwegian Split-toe – This is something I don’t see much of on other guys, but have found that these are very versatile shoes that go well with everything from suits down to jeans. Just make sure to get something that is more on the sleeker side if you plan to wear these with suits and dressy pants.
Alternative recommendations (in suede or leather) for those who aren’t fans of the classic choices for a 2nd pair of shoes above, you could try: chukkas(versatile and relaxed), double monkstraps (goes well with jeans, but can be little bit played out these days as it seems like every man on the forum got ‘em, including me), and dress boots (ok with jeans but can run hot in summer and looks a little funny with dress pants if they are too slim or too wide). I'll post photos of these in the first reply.
A few other notes: Oxfords look more formal than bluchers/derbies (google these terms to learn about the differences), which makes them less likely to be worn with jeans or very casually styled chinos.
Based on my experience, I can recommend the following brands: Allen Edmonds (good value for factory 2nds, anniversary sales, and eBay), Meermin (great value in the $200 range but only available online), Jack Erwin (good value at $200), and Carmina (pricey, but great designs and quality/finishing). You’ll save money in the long run if you go with quality and a good year welt construction.
Don’t buy hybrid shoes like those Cole Haan / Nike collaborations. If you are on a budget, don’t fall for the trap of getting Kenneth Cole's or Aldo's. These shoes won’t last in the long run, as they are most likely glued construction and made with cheap leather. Avoid the temptation to ball out on Gucci, Prada, or even Farragamo, as these are fashion oriented brands that put more into their marketing, than the quality of their shoes.
These dress shoe recommendations will give you a great start and bring formality, some versatility, and longevity to your style.
MOVSM better explains the different types of dress shoes and the associated formality in this thread: thread-58378.html
Black wholecuts
Dark brown blucher captoes
Medium brown oxford captoe
I recommend the black whole cuts over black captoes(not shown), because the whole cuts will look more sleek and to me, look more interesting than a black captoe. I offered the brown captoe (either oxford or a sleek blucher) as an alternative, because of their versatility as they match more colors of clothes than a black shoe. Whichever you pick, get something that is not too rounded, and not too pointy. Good year welt construction(google this) is a must here. These will cost at least $200 for something from the Meermin shoemakers.
Most likely, this first pair of shoes will be too formal to go with jeans. Depending on the cut/style of your chinos, you may be able to wear these shoes with them.
Quick note on shoe care: Don’t wear your dress shoes two days in a row. Your shoes will last longer when they get a chance to rest a day between wearings, as moist leather breaks down quickly. When buying these shoes, make sure to get a pair of shoe trees that are sized to not stretch your shoes, a decent shoe horn, and some shoe bags.
Don’t wear these to a busy dance club, or else they could get messed up. Don’t wear them in the rain, especially if you have leather soles. Also, suede is a lot easier to care for than you think. They don’t require shoe shines. Just brush ‘em when they are dirty, and put on some spray waterproofer. Learn some basic shoe maintenance (clean, moisturize, and polish) and these shoes could last 10-15 years with regular use, or even longer, if only worn for special occasions.
If you’ve got the budget and desire to get two pairs of shoes, get the black wholecuts AND pick one of these 3 shoes types below in either medium or dark brown. Since you are already picking the black wholecuts, your 2nd pair does not have to be as formal as one of the brown shoes I mentioned above. Don’t fall for the trap of getting a tan colored shoe here for your first pairs of shoes, as tan won’t match as many colors as you may think.
Brogues/Wingtips in suede(more casual) or calf leather (more formal) – A bit more casual than the wholecuts/captoe. These can go from suits all the way down to jeans and everything in between. Oxfords look sleeker but bluchers and derbies will work with your clothes more if your style is casual.
Dress loafers in suede or calf leather – These are a bit more casual than the option above. Comfortable and great for the summer, especially in suede. If you don’t wear suits as often, a dress loafer makes a great option. Definitely works with jeans and you can even wear these with shorts. Go for a sleek version if you plan to wear these with more formal clothes, or go with a more rounded toe for casual chinos/jeans/shorts.
Norwegian Split-toe – This is something I don’t see much of on other guys, but have found that these are very versatile shoes that go well with everything from suits down to jeans. Just make sure to get something that is more on the sleeker side if you plan to wear these with suits and dressy pants.
Alternative recommendations (in suede or leather) for those who aren’t fans of the classic choices for a 2nd pair of shoes above, you could try: chukkas(versatile and relaxed), double monkstraps (goes well with jeans, but can be little bit played out these days as it seems like every man on the forum got ‘em, including me), and dress boots (ok with jeans but can run hot in summer and looks a little funny with dress pants if they are too slim or too wide). I'll post photos of these in the first reply.
A few other notes: Oxfords look more formal than bluchers/derbies (google these terms to learn about the differences), which makes them less likely to be worn with jeans or very casually styled chinos.
Based on my experience, I can recommend the following brands: Allen Edmonds (good value for factory 2nds, anniversary sales, and eBay), Meermin (great value in the $200 range but only available online), Jack Erwin (good value at $200), and Carmina (pricey, but great designs and quality/finishing). You’ll save money in the long run if you go with quality and a good year welt construction.
Don’t buy hybrid shoes like those Cole Haan / Nike collaborations. If you are on a budget, don’t fall for the trap of getting Kenneth Cole's or Aldo's. These shoes won’t last in the long run, as they are most likely glued construction and made with cheap leather. Avoid the temptation to ball out on Gucci, Prada, or even Farragamo, as these are fashion oriented brands that put more into their marketing, than the quality of their shoes.
These dress shoe recommendations will give you a great start and bring formality, some versatility, and longevity to your style.
- Clint Barton