Key Takeaways
- Black dress shoes are the best choice for black suits, with dark burgundy or oxblood as occasional alternatives.
- Charcoal suits pair well with black, dark brown, or burgundy shoes, but light brown and tan should be avoided.
- Navy suits are versatile, working with black, dark brown, medium brown, and burgundy shoes, but not with light brown or tan.
- Medium blue suits can be paired with lighter brown, dark brown, and burgundy shoes, while black shoes offer a bold look.
- Grey suits, from medium to light shades, are highly versatile and can be matched with various shoe colours, including black, brown, burgundy, and even white sneakers for a casual look.
The Importance of Matching Dress Shoes with Suits
We believe understanding how to match your dress shoes with your suits and dress trousers is essential for creating a sophisticated and polished appearance. This guide will detail the best shoe colours for popular suit shades, including black, navy, and grey. Additionally, we will highlight one commonly worn shoe colour to avoid.
Avoiding Light Brown Shoes for a Polished Look
First and foremost, it is crucial to address the most overrated dress shoe colour: tan. Specifically, light brown shades often referred to as walnut or cognac. These lighter hues do not pair well with dark suits, such as black, navy, dark grey, or charcoal. While tan shoes can complement other colours, for those looking to build a minimalist dress shoe collection with just one or two pairs, it is advisable to avoid light brown altogether.
The optimal dress shoe colours include black, dark brown, and burgundy. These shades offer versatility and suitability for a wide range of suits and dress trousers, especially for more formal occasions.
Best Shoe Colours for Black Suits
When it comes to black suits, black dress shoes are the quintessential choice. Owning a pair of black Oxfords is essential if black suits are a staple in your wardrobe. While dark burgundy or oxblood shoes can occasionally be paired with black suits, nothing rivals the classic elegance of black shoes with black suits.
Ideal Shoe Pairings for Charcoal Suits
Charcoal suits, essentially very dark grey, closely resemble black suits in their shoe pairing needs. Black dress shoes complement charcoal suits perfectly. However, charcoal is slightly more forgiving, allowing for dark brown or burgundy shoes as well. Black remains the safest option, but a very dark red oxblood shoe can also create a distinguished look. Light brown or tan shoes should be avoided as they do not complement charcoal suits effectively.
Shoe Colour Versatility with Navy Suits
Navy is one of the most common suit colours and is likely present in many wardrobes. True navy, a very dark shade, offers slightly more versatility than black or charcoal suits. With a navy suit, black, dark brown, medium brown, and burgundy or oxblood shoes are all appropriate choices. Black shoes provide a more formal appearance, creating a sharp and professional look. Dark brown is a safe and reliable option, consistently pairing well with navy. For a touch of distinction, dark burgundy or oxblood shoes can elevate a navy suit to a level of pure class. Light brown or tan shoes, however, do not complement navy suits well due to the stark contrast in shades.
Medium Blue Suits and Suitable Shoe Choices
Medium blue suits, encompassing shades lighter than navy, are another popular choice for men's attire. This category offers a broad range of hues, making it versatile for various occasions. Unlike navy, medium blue suits can be paired with lighter brown shoes, as well as dark brown and burgundy options. While tan shoes can be a stylish choice for light blue suits, especially suitable for summer weddings, they should generally be avoided with medium blue suits. Black shoes can be worn with medium blue suits, but this creates a bold, fashion-forward look that can be challenging to pull off effectively.
Versatile Shoe Options for Grey Suits
Grey suits, ranging from medium to light shades, are exceptionally versatile and easy to pair with various shoe colours. Medium grey suits offer a balanced look, pairing well with black shoes for a formal, serious appearance. They also look good with dark brown, medium brown, burgundy, and oxblood shoes. Lighter grey suits can be paired with lighter brown and tan shoes, as well as burgundy and oxblood options. For those interested in a more casual approach, white sneakers can be a suitable match with light grey suits, providing a modern, relaxed look. Grey suits offer the flexibility to choose your desired level of formality. Black shoes provide a formal look ideal for evening events or job interviews, while lighter brown shoes can dress down the suit for a more casual appearance.
Shoe Pairing Tips for Other Suit Colours
Aside from the classic suit colours, there are other options like burgundy, dark green, and brown suits, each offering unique pairing opportunities. Burgundy suits pair well with black shoes, oxblood, or dark brown shoes. Dark green suits look sophisticated with darker browns and black shoes. Brown suits can be matched with any shade of dark brown shoes, burgundy, or oxblood shoes. Tan suits, often chosen for their lighter, summery feel, look best with any shade of brown shoes, particularly darker browns, as well as cream or white shoes.
| Suit Colour | Recommended Shoe Colours | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Black | None |
| Charcoal | Black, Dark Brown, Burgundy | Light Brown, Tan |
| Navy | Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Burgundy | Light Brown, Tan |
| Medium Blue | Lighter Brown, Dark Brown, Burgundy | Tan |
| Grey | Black, Dark Brown, Medium Brown, Burgundy, Oxblood, Tan | None |
| Burgundy | Black, Oxblood, Dark Brown | None |
| Dark Green | Darker Browns, Black | None |
| Brown | Dark Brown, Burgundy, Oxblood | None |
| Tan | Dark Brown, Cream, White | None |
Enhancing Your Appearance with the Right Shoe Colour
In summary, selecting the right dress shoe colour for your suit can significantly enhance your overall appearance. Sticking to classic colours like black, dark brown, and burgundy ensures versatility and elegance, while avoiding light brown or tan for darker suits maintains a cohesive and polished look. Black, charcoal, grey, and navy suits are the most common, understanding the nuances of shoe pairing can elevate your style significantly. Following these guidelines will ensure you match your dress shoes with your suit and trousers like a professional stylist, exuding confidence and sophistication in every setting.
We believe that by adhering to these principles, you will navigate the complexities of sartorial elegance with ease, ensuring that your choice of dress shoes enhances your overall look, regardless of the suit colour.
For those who appreciate the nuances of sartorial elegance, Westwood Hart offers bespoke tailoring services that ensure your suit and dress shoe combinations are impeccable. Each custom tailored suit is crafted with precision, allowing you to select from an array of sophisticated colours and styles to perfectly match your favourite dress shoes. Experience the luxury of a tailored fit and timeless style with Westwood Hart. Design your unique suit today using Westwood Hart's online configurator and elevate your wardrobe to new heights.