There is nothing that speaks volumes about your sense of style and sartorial elegance than suits. Most men will agree that while suiting up, the accessories occupy the same importance to create the perfect look. While reams have been written about belts, ties, and pocket squares, shoes are crucial accessories that can make or break the look when it comes to wearing suits. Hence, before you venture to buy formal shoes for men online that can complement your suit, here is a guide that will help you play the matching game with aplomb.
Suits and Shoes – How to Pair Them
The most popular formal shoes for men online that usually go well with suits are derby shoes, brogues, and oxfords. However, boat shoes, loafers, chukka boots, monk straps, and even Chelsea boots have gained popularity in recent times in terms of pairing up with suits. On that note, here are some helpful insights on matching your shoes to your suit:
- Black Suits – This is a classic formal suit that is par for the course when it comes to formal business gatherings and events. The safe choice is to go for black oxfords. At the same time, you can also consider black derby shoes or brogues. Monk straps or Chelsea boots also work well for events that are slightly more relaxed (not in the black-tie category). If the event is casual, you can go for suede loafers instead. Dark brown derby shoes are also worth considering in this regard.
- Charcoal Grey Suits – This colour is suitable for both semi-formal and formal events. You can pair up this suit with brogues in deep brown or even monk straps. It works for weddings and similar events. Black derby shoes or oxfords are also good options along with oxfords in burgundy shades for semi-casual outings.
- Navy Suits – These are commonly worn for business gatherings. Derby shoes without patterns or monk straps can be worn with them. At the same time, a semi-casual look can be created with monk straps, brown derby shoes or oxfords. The deeper the shade of brown in this case, the more formal your outfit will appear.
- Light Grey Suits – Light grey suits help you create an elegant look for formal occasions, particularly if you wear them with black-coloured oxfords. A lighter ensemble can be ensured with brown or tan oxfords or derby shoes. You may also opt for dark brown shades to stick to a more traditional vibe. For scaling up the coolness quotient of your look for a more casual event, you can opt for light brown footwear instead. If you want to add a classy contrast to your look, choose oxfords in burgundy hues.
- Brown Suits – They are ideal for regular office wear, nights out, and even semi-casual gatherings. You can choose brown shoes in slightly different hues to complete the look. Loafers, derby shoes and oxfords all work well, along with lace-up boots at times. Chelsea boots may also be good choices if they come in a suede hue. Leather brogues are another option that you can consider in this regard.
- Blue Suits – These are suits which are not as formal as their navy counterparts. You should pair them up with brogues and oxfords while boots and loafers contribute towards a more casual look and feel. You should avoid wearing black shoes and choose lighter brown hues instead. Burgundy loafers or monk straps are also good choices.
- Cream/Beige Suits – These suits are suitable for summers and are not ideal for formal gatherings. They are better choices in the daytime and at parties. You can choose light brown or ivory brogues, oxfords, or loafers.
Conclusion
As you can see, matching your suit to your shoe is a fine art that requires a little homework on your part. However, if you do it right, then you can expect to truly stand out in terms of your elegance and sartorial appeal.
