When the time has come to suit up, it can be very helpful to know what shoes to wear. Your choice can depend on several factors: style, colour, and occasion. Do you want to look the very best version of yourself with a nice suit? Continue reading as we give you helpful tips to style your suit with dress shoes and give you our take on matching suits with black or brown shoes.

Learn how to identify the different styles

The first thing, you should know, is the different types of shoes that can match with your suit. We bring you some of the most common types of shoes to mix with the suit of your choice.

Derby Shoes

Derby is a comfortable evolution of the traditional Oxford shoes. You can recognize this type by its relaxed open lacing. Derby shoes are the popular choice and can be worn as both smart and casual.

Brogues

Brogue shoes are another classical shoe. What makes brogues different from Derby shoes, are the visible broguing details. This style is a bit sturdier as it was originally designed for outdoor wear.

Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots are recognised by going over your ankles and having no laces. Black or brown leather boots are the most common styles. Alternatively, you can find a pair in suede for other colours as well.

Loafers

Loafers are easy to slip in and bring a more casual look to the suit. It is a great choice for the summer suit where the brighter colours come out. They can be bolder in their design and be found in both smooth leather and suede.

How to dress for success with the right shoes

For a black-tie event, only the finest shoes are enough if you want to properly dress for the occasion. It is time to bring out your best leather shoes or perhaps patent leather shoes for a shiny look. For this type of event, Oxford or Derby shoes are the ideal pick, but brogue shoes are another great option for achieving a well-thought-out business look.

Don’t forget to clean and polish your shoes beforehand to really shine like a star. You can learn more about how to clean your shoes below.

HOW TO CLEAN LEATHER SHOES

How to make sneakers work with a suit

Nowadays wearing a suit follows much more loose rules than before. There are plenty of ways to dress a suit up or down whether it is an everyday style, or you are bringing your A-game for a special occasion.

One simple and stylish way to make the suit a more casual attire is to switch out the dress shoes with a pair of cool yet elegant sneakers or our hybrid dress shoes. Combining a suit with a basic white t-shirt and white sneakers is a great and simple option for a modern and smart look.

SHOP HYBRID DRESS SHOES

Learn how to match the right colours

If you are wearing a belt or a watch with a leather rim, it is important to pick the same colour as your shoes. This especially goes for black and brown shoes. Stick to one single colour. If you want to go the extra mile, also match the color of your shoes with your leather gloves and briefcase.

Want to know how to properly pair the right shoe colour with the right colour suit? When you own a suit in black, navy, brown or grey, there are some essential shoe tips to know.

Navy suit: black or brown shoes

Picking a navy suit for job interviews is a smart choice. Not only is it easy to pair with shoes in various colours like black, brown or burgundy, but the colour also symbolises trust.

Grey suit: black or brown shoes

Grey suits are very versatile, and you can pair them with particularly any shoe colour. Black is always an option if you are sticking to classic colours. Different shades of brown will also work well. A good tip is to bring out warmer shoe colours as grey can be rather cold. Burgundy will be a great choice for adding warmth.

Black suit: black shoes

You are most likely going to stick with neutral colours for the black suit. Black is always a safe and classic option; the big differences are in the small details. For black suits, your best bet is to stick to black shoes. For some, parring black suits and brown shoes is a no go, but the option is there, and it can still look stylish.

Are you ready to take on the world in a suit? You can find the right business shoe for you right below.

SHOP SHOES FOR SUITS