In the last several years, a lot has changed in men’s formal and business dress codes, including how men wear suits. Whether you pull out your tailored one-colour suit for special events only or don a more casual one made of different-coloured pieces for work or other daily occasions, wearing it properly can make or break your outfit. That includes picking the right pieces to combine (shirt, jumper, tie, and belt) and matching them with the correct shoe colour for a sleek, streamlined look.
In men’s fashion, shoe colour selection is more than just a matter of taste; it immensely impacts how the ensemble looks and affects the wearer’s confidence and attitude. You can make better choices if you understand the psychology of shoe colour when matching your suits and shoes.
Most Popular Shoe Types and Colours to Pair with Suits
Although pairing a suit with sneakers has been trending lately, dress leather shoes remain the best option for a sophisticated suit look. Think Oxfords, Brogues, and monk straps in darker colours such as black and dark brown, or loafers, botanical, or Chelsea boots in lighter hues such as tan.
Black dress shoes have been a business dress staple for many years, be it because of the black-tie dress codes required for weddings and other special occasions or because most guys find them easier to match with their outfits. However, as fashion shifts towards more casual and relaxed outfits for formal settings and men look for versatile pieces to wear from work to a happy hour later in the day, men’s tan leather dress shoes are becoming the new black. More than any other shoe colour, you can dress tan up and down and make them the base of your outfit rather than picking a shoe based on your look.
Compared to other go-to shoe colours such as black, navy, and grey, tan as a more neutral tone makes a much quieter statement. That makes them an all-season favourite for virtually any occasion, from complementing an outfit for the office to one for a dinner or a wedding. A pair of men’s tan leather dress shoes is so versatile that you can match it with different suit colours and other accessories, such as leather belts and bags.
While the general rule is always to go for a shoe shade darker than your suit or suit pant colour, it all comes down to seeing your look as a whole. That’s why tan shoes aren’t only appropriate for cream or white suits and trousers but also navy, brown, and even black options. The secret is throwing the right colour blazer, coat, or accessory into the combination. Also, rules are meant to be broken, especially in the fashion world, which ironically often leads to new fashion choices and trends.
What Color Shoes Should I Wear with a Suit?
If you’re still confused or want to play it safe without risking the wrong suit outfit, here’s comprehensive and straightforward info on matching suit and shoe colours that most fashion experts agree on.
What Shoe Colour to Wear with a Navy Blue Suit?
A relatively lighter tint always offers more options. Black shoes usually look great with a navy suit, but dark brown shoes will work just as well if they seem too sharp for you. In this situation, black or blue socks would be perfect. When the shoes are dress shoes, such as oxfords or brogues, the ensemble is very formal, but when the shoes are loafers, it becomes a bit more informal. Therefore, choose based on the occasion you must attend.
What Shoe Colour to Wear with a Black Suit?
The best choice in this case is to wear shoes that match your suit because black is a highly formal colour in and of itself. If it’s a tuxedo with a white shirt, choose shoes that are either black, brown, or dark brown, or that are two colours in black and white. Socks for single shoes must match the colour of the shoes or the outfit, but if you have black and white shoes with two tones, you can also match the colour of your socks.
What Shoe Colour to Wear with a Grey Suit?
When choosing shoes for grey suits, your go-to hues are burgundy, black, oxblood, tan or dark brown. Wear formal dress shoes in these colours if you’re going to a wedding or a board meeting. If you’re going to a cocktail party, wear casual shoes in the same colour scheme. It’s safer to wear grey socks.
What Shoe Colour to Wear with a Brown Suit?
The ideal solution in this case is to wear shoes that match your suit, provided the colours are different. Returning to the core idea, the darker the shoe, the darker the outfit. If your dress is light enough, tan shoes look fantastic. Remember to stay away from wearing black shoes. Wear socks in complementary colours and avoid more casual shoes, unless they are loafers, because brown is a highly formal colour.
What Shoe Colour to Wear with a Tan Suit?
Tan suits leave with fewer shoe colour alternatives. Therefore, the only choice is to wear shoes that match your suit; whether going to a formal event or something more casual, choose mens tan dress shoes. You should wear Derbys and Loafers with socks that are comparable in colour.
However, we wouldn’t deny that the millennial generation is dressed in tan suits and bright sneakers that match the colour of their T-shirts. Therefore, you can try those first, and if you like them, you can wear them to any informal event.
