The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Dress Shoes with Suits

Choosing the right shoes to match your suit is key to creating a polished and professional look. This guide will help you understand how to pair dress shoes with different types of suits for any occasion. Whether it’s a formal event or a casual workday, you'll know exactly how to style your outfit with the perfect pair of shoes.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Shoe Colours
2. Matching Shoe Styles to Suit Types
3. The Importance of Shoe Care
4. About Lion Skin

Understanding Shoe Colours

The first step in pairing shoes with suits is understanding how colours work together. Not all suit colours go with every shoe, so it’s important to get this right. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Black suits: Black shoes are your best option. This is a classic, formal look, perfect for weddings, business meetings, or formal dinners.
• Navy suits: Brown or tan shoes pair beautifully with navy. For a more formal look, stick to darker brown shoes. Lighter browns can give a more casual vibe.
• Grey suits: Black or brown shoes work well with grey suits. Black shoes make the look more formal, while brown can give it a more relaxed, stylish edge.
• Charcoal suits: Similar to grey, but a bit darker. Charcoal suits look best with black shoes for a sharp, formal appearance.

Matching Shoe Styles to Suit Types

The type of shoes you wear should match the formality of your suit. Let’s go over the main dress shoe styles:

• Oxfords: These are the most formal type of dress shoes. They have closed laces and a sleek design, making them perfect for formal suits, like black or navy suits.
• Derbys: A bit more casual than Oxfords, Derbys have open laces and are great for both business and semi-formal occasions. They work well with grey, navy, or tan suits.
• Loafers: Loafers are slip-on shoes that are more casual but can still be stylish with the right suit. They are ideal for summer suits or when you want a laid-back, yet sophisticated, look.
• Monk Straps: Monk strap shoes have a buckle instead of laces, giving them a unique look. They’re less formal than Oxfords but more formal than loafers, making them a versatile choice for many suits.

The Importance of Shoe Care

No matter what type of shoes you choose, they need to be well-maintained to keep you looking sharp. Polished, clean shoes make a big difference in your overall appearance. Here’s how to keep your shoes in top condition:

• Polish regularly: Leather shoes need regular polishing to keep them shiny and free from scratches.
• Use shoe trees: Inserting shoe trees into your shoes when you’re not wearing them helps maintain their shape and prevents creases.
• Rotate shoes: If possible, avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This gives the leather time to breathe and recover.
• Protect from water: Invest in a good waterproof spray to protect your shoes from rain or accidental spills.

About Lion Skin