Don’t be the guy with the great suit and the bad shoes. Great men's dress shoes are an investment and are the base of your wardrobe. You need a nice suit (or two) and you also need great shoes to go with it. That doesn’t mean they need to be expensive, but they do need to be sharp.
When thinking of the best dress shoes for suits, as a general rule, your shoes should be as dark, if not darker than your suit. If you’re wearing a black suit there is only one choice: black shoes. As the tone of your suit gets lighter, so can your shoes.
Here are some great picks that will have you looking your best:
1. The Best Men's Shoes for Navy Suits
Johnston & Murphy 'Melton' Oxford Image: Zappos.com
This is your most flexible suit, but be careful what color shoes you wear. Keep in mind that your shoes should be as dark as your suit, be careful when wearing brown shoes with a navy suit. Dark brown and burgundy are great, but stay away from anything lighter like tan. Black is safe as well.
My pick, Johnston & Murphy 'Melton' Oxford: This is a classic shoe that will last you for years and can be worn with just about anything from slacks and a sweater to a suit. They also are a cap toe, which is a timeless look and really comfortable.
2. Men's Shoes for Charcoal Gray Suits
Cole Haan 'Air Carter' Image: Zappos.com
There’s a little debate with a charcoal suit, but again black shoes are king. In a more informal situation you can get away with a very, very dark brown shoe, but tread lightly. If you are going with a gray suit, then you can definitely consider brown shoes.
My pick, Cole Haan ‘Air Carter’: Insanely comfortable for a dress shoe with Nike’s ‘Air’ technology, these are pricy enough to be taken seriously, but not so expensive that it’ll send you running for the exits.
3. Choosing Men's Shoes for Black Suits
Florsheim 'Edgar' Oxford Image: Zappos.com
If you’re wearing a black suit, you wear black shoes. There is no debate.
My pick, Florsheim 'Edgar' Oxford: Great value for a pair of “go-to shoes” for your black suit. Allen Edmonds 'Fifth Avenue' Oxford (buy direct): These are shoes to aspire to. You care for this as you would a vintage car and they will in turn take care of you. Most of us only own a pair of shoes like this once in a lifetime.
4. Men's Shoes for Seersucker Suits
Johnston & Murphy 'Brennan Plain Toe' Image: Zappos.com
If you’re the kind of guy that can pull off a seersucker suit, then you probably don’t need me telling you what kind of shoes to wear. If you’re thinking making the leap to the warm weather suit, here are some snazzy options.
My pick, Johnston & Murphy Brennan Plain Toe: If you can pull off a pair of white “bucks,” you’ll take over the party. They’re classic, stylish and comfortable enough to be on your feet all day.
Invest in your dress shoes and they’ll see you through things like: your wedding, job interviews, dinner with the in-laws and special occasions where only a suit will do. Just make sure you return the favor by using shoe-trees and keeping them clean and shined.