Shoes are a key part of any formal wear, especially regarding suits. However, with a wide array of suits and formal shoes available, it can be difficult to know just what to pair with what and how to make the most of your formal wear.
There are seemingly endless unwritten rules about what shoes you can and can't wear with a black, navy, or grey suit that can be head-spinning, knowing where even to start.
Rieker has a complete guide for what footwear goes best with certain suits to help make dressing smartly as simple as it should be. From styles such as brogues and loafers to colours and where they fit, this is your ideal guide to matching your dress shoes to your suit for the perfect formal ensemble.
Table of contents:
- Men's formal shoe features
- Styles of men's formal shoes
- What shoes to wear with a black suit?
- What shoes to wear with a navy suit?
- What shoes to wear with a light grey suit?
- What shoes to wear with a charcoal suit?
- Shop formal shoes at Rieker
Men's formal shoe features
Before jumping into the deep end, it's important to understand what to look for when picking formal footwear. Here at Rieker, we stock an elegant and sleek collection of men's formal shoes, all crafted with precision and care.
We believe knowing the fundamental features to keep your eye on when choosing your next pair of dress shoes is essential.
Material
When dressing to the nines for any formal occasion, we recommend leather as the primary material to achieve a sophisticated look. All materials have their place and occasions, but leather is the stand-out for formal wear.
Leather dress shoes may come with a slightly heftier price tag than most materials, but they are designed to last. Offering longevity and durability, leather shoes also provide comfort, support and breathability to your feet so you can look and feel your best all at once.
Soles
An essential consideration when buying shoes is that a good sole is the backbone of good footwear. This is especially true when investing in a new pair of dress shoes. To ensure a refined look while guaranteeing endurance, look for a sole stitched to the shoe's bottom. It is a timeless design with great stability.
At Rieker, all our shoes are made with our antistress technology, allowing for more shock absorption, durable soles, flexibility, space, and lightweight design. All these elements give the wearer maximum comfort at any event or occasion.
Stitching
Minor details make the bigger machine function, and at Rieker, we believe that to be true, especially when designing footwear. The intricate nature of the stitching of your shoe can define the entire look and feel of your footwear and make the difference between what appears to be a high-quality finish and something that was made with little care and passion.
Premium stitching exudes a high level of style and sophistication, showcasing the hard work that went into creating a quality product with class in mind.
Style of men's formal shoes
There are various styles of men's formal shoes to choose from, but we've decided to narrow it down to our three favourites for formal assemblies and events.
Derbys
With the Derby shoe's origin dating back to the 1850s as a sporting or hunting boot, it has a wide open lacing fit to offer comfortability. This wider fit is what sets Derbys apart from Oxfords, which Derbys often get conflated with due to their similar shapes.
For many formal events such as weddings, conferences and more, Derbys are a classic addition to any collection and are available in various finishes. We recommend leather with a high-gloss or matte finish for the most formal of events.
Perfect to match with a casual black suit, Derbys are widely popular for the majority of formal occasions with their refined and professional look.
Brogues
Certain to add style and an eccentric boost to any ensemble, brogues are defined by their decorative patterns. Traditionally designed with a tan leather finish, the brogue now has many variations available.
A fashionable dress shoe, brogues are ideal for office attire and formal social gatherings. Certainly, a style that adds panache to what could be described as straightforward formal wear, brogues are suitable for an array of events. However, we recommend against pairing this style with black tie attire, as it can lessen the impact of the overall look.
Loafers
Identifiable by its classic slip-on style, the loafer is a timeless footwear option born from class and sophistication. The original loafer was made for King George VI as, of all things, a casual house slipper. Its introduction to the US in the 1930s boosted its popularity, and the loafer was made a formal wear staple in the 60s when American businessmen began pairing loafers with suits.
A loafer can be an excellent choice for any event due to its great flexibility. Add the last touch to a smart casual suit with suede loafers, or pick up a glossy black pair to sophisticate your wedding attire.
Despite not quite fitting for black tie events due to its relaxed style, loafers will still add a contemporary touch to any formal ensemble.
What shoes to wear with a black suit?
A formal wear staple, the traditional black suit exudes class and style. An essential of any man's wardrobe. Regularly spotted at cocktail events, the black suit is the utmost formal attire, thus requiring a precise and sensible choice of shoes to accompany it.
A good rule of thumb to follow in formal footwear is to select shoes as dark as your ensemble, and you can't get any darker than a black suit.
Black shoes are a simple but essential pairing for a black suit. Our collection of formal black shoes offers an array of high-quality options to choose from. We recommend a lace-up brogue for a traditional look to elevate your look seamlessly.
The right shade of brown shoes can go well with a black waistcoat, but tan should be avoided.
What shoes to wear with a navy suit?
An ever-versatile shade, navy suits have plenty of potential footwear partners and allow room for experimentation. Navy suits offer a tremendous balance between smart and casual, just as fitting for the office as it is for many formal events.
Black dress shoes would again be a fitting addition to a navy suit, but we strongly recommend brown shoes for a stylish look that exudes plenty of personality.
The versatility of the navy suit even allows for an unconventional twist with a red shoe if you're so inclined.
What shoes to wear with a light grey suit?
Light grey is a neutral shade, again allowing for a degree of variation with what colour shoes you can pair with it.
For a classic look, black is the primary option. If you're not in the mood for a classic, brown shoes can partner with your light-grey ensemble exceptionally well and help your overall look stand out.
Pairing a brown shoe with a light-grey palette shows undeniable style and exudes sophistication. It is a fantastic pairing for weddings, office wear and many other formal occasions.
Choose from our extensive range of formal brown shoes, from leather to synthetic styles. Rieker prioritises class and comfort in whichever style suits you.
What shoes to wear with a charcoal suit?
Charcoal is a much less versatile shade of grey, meaning our options here are limited, but that isn't a negative.
Formal black shoes are absolutely the way to go with a charcoal suit. High-quality leather partners the dark shade perfectly for many formal occasions and events.
Shop formal shoes at Rieker
By following these rules, you’ll be sure to deliver a refined, classy look at your next formal event. If you’re looking to dress for less formal attire, be sure to browse our entire men’s shoe range for your next footwear purchase.
