Wearing the right shoes makes a huge difference to your outfit. Whether you are attending a formal event or just going to work, the correct footwear can make or break your look.
Men’s dress shoes come in various styles and colours. Some styles have laces, while others are slip-ons. The type of broguing on the shoe also affects its level of formality.
Plain-Toe Dress Shoes
The most versatile and formal dress shoes, plain-toed shoes offer a sleek and minimal appearance. They can be paired with most dress pants, and even with jeans or other casual trousers in a semi-formal setting.
There are two main types of plain-toe dress shoes: Oxfords and Derby shoes. Both feature a closed lacing system, allowing for a sleeker appearance. However, the key difference between these dress shoe styles is the amount of decorative perforation called broguing (originally designed to allow water to escape when treading through marshes). The more broguing on a shoe, the less formal it is.
Another option for espadrilles menlooking for a more traditional and sleek dress shoe is the monk strap. Available in either single or double monk straps, these shoes are a great choice for both business and formal wear. They can be paired with anything from a dark blue suit to a tuxedo and look great when worn with a matching monk strap watch.
Monk Straps
Inspired by sandals worn by monks, men’s monk strap shoes offer a sleek look with a dash of flair. Available in single and double-buckle options, these laceless dress shoes are versatile enough to wear with a suit but also look good with business casual and even weekend attire.
Originally embraced by puff-chested Pitti peacocks and style-conscious men who wanted to stand out from the crowd, monk straps walk a delicate line between formal and casual. Unlike Oxfords that tend to look too dressy with casual wear, a monk strap can be worn with jeans or wool trousers without looking inappropriate.
Choose from a range of neutral colors and exotic leathers to find the best pair for you. If you opt for a double monk, consider leaving one buckle unbuckled to add sprezzatura to your outfit – think about it like unbuttoning one of your jacket cuffs or leaving your shirt cuff untucked. In recent years, a more angled cutaway version of the monk shoe has been popularized by companies such as John Lobb Paris and Edward Green.
Loafers
Loafers are slip-on shoes with flat heels and no shoelaces or buckles, designed to easily slide on and off your feet. They’re a very flexible category and, depending on their design, can range from casual to formal.
Designers have had a lot of fun with loafer styles, creating different types of embellishments. You can find them with tassels, chains, perforations and even more exotic designs like kiltie loafers (an old throwback style).
The thing to remember about loafers is that they started out as casual shoes and have evolved into classic dress shoes over time. They can be worn just about anywhere on the casual-to-formal spectrum, but you can really make them pop if they’re made of high quality leather in a black color. Pair them with khakis and a blazer for a casual look, or a suit and tuxedo for a more formal occasion. They also work well with jeans or slim-cut trousers in a business casual setting.
Dress Boots
Men’s dress boots are a bit more formal than casual shoes like loafers or derbies but a little less formal than Oxfords and bluchers. They are characterized by their closed lacing systems and have a sleek appearance that makes them suitable for a variety of formal occasions.
These shoes can be made from a wide variety of materials. Suede and shell cordovan are often too eye-catching for subdued business wear, but if they are made in a conservative style, such as brown suede chelseas or color 8 shell tassel loafers, they can work with a suit. However, waxy leathers and roughouts are never appropriate for dress boots.
The main types of men’s dress boots are oxfords, chukkas and Derby shoes. A wingtip can be considered a dress shoe as well but is typically more appropriate for casual attire. Wingtips are usually a little more narrow than other types of dress shoes and may be a bit shorter.