Choosing the right footwear to match your suit can be a daunting task, with so many colours, shades and designs it’s hard to know what to pair with what. Buy the wrong pair, and you risk ruining your whole ensemble, it doesn’t matter how on point your suit is, if you’ve got the wrong shoes, your tailoring is wasted.
Following this guide can put you in the right direction to creating a polished and sophisticated look. Here at Moda Man, we can help you figure out which colour combinations clash and which ones match. It’s not just the colour you need to worry about, choosing the right style of shoe is pivotal to a sleek look.
The best suit and shoe combinations
There was once a time when it was much easier to choose your suit shoe, a quick browse around in the ‘formal’ section and you were good to go. Now, styling is a lot more relaxed, and there are fewer rules when it comes to dressing for occasions. In this modern era, we’ve even seen casual trainers and rugged boots paired with smart suits. Providing you do it right, this alternative styling can give your smart ensemble some personality and edge.
The smart classics, such as oxfords or monk shoes, deserve a place in every man’s wardrobe. Their elegant and versatile nature means they can be worn to work or a wedding (or even both!).
Which colour shoes can I wear with which colour suits?
- Black Suit – Black shoes.
- Navy Suit – Black, brown or burgundy shoes.
- Charcoal Grey Suit – Black or burgundy shoes.
- Light Grey Suit – Brown, black or burgundy.
- Cream/Beige Suit – Light brown shoes.
What colour shoes should you wear with a navy suit
The beauty of a navy suit is; it always works, it’s effortlessly cool and sophisticated, and it can be worn to a multitude of occasions. Whether you’re wanting to look sleek in the office, impress in a pressurised job interview or turn heads at a wedding. Pairing your navy suit with a crisp white shirt, pocket square and some polished leather shoes can smarten the ensemble, while a quirky fun printed shirt and brogues can be worked for less formal events.
When it comes to colour pairings, brown shoes should be your go-to, but when it comes to design, it’s all about what works for you. We’re talking rich hues of caramel, penny and coffee that balance out the cool navy; we love soft tan shoes and lavish chocolate shades. If you’re not a fan of the brown shoe, experiment with burgundy or grey, rich burgundy shoes add a touch of sophistication – sharp oxfords, brogues, or monk-straps are the best choice here.
If you’re feeling daring, white trainers provide a casual street style that adds a pop of personality. When choosing your trainers, look for a high-quality timeless design that can cross over into smart wear. When pairing trainers with your navy suit, choose a slim silhouette suit, trainers work best with a length that rests just above the ankle.
What colour shoes should you wear with a grey suit
A grey suit is another all-rounder, it can be styled all year round and makes a great alternative to classic black, a grey suit can be easily paired with an array of coloured shirts and ties. The tricky part – so many shades! Being a cool colour, just like navy, warm honey hues work well with both light and dark shades of grey. The beauty of a grey suit is you can mix it up in summer and experiment with light pastel coloured shoes and paisley patterned shirts and ties.
Grey suit with brown shoes
Pairing a grey suit with brown shoes is a classic statement that works for various shades of grey; pick out the hues of your shoes to match your tie, we love tawny shades that balance your look. For a smooth smart look, pair your suit with brighton tan leather shoes; their high shine copper colour complements the grey and creates a versatile and modern statement perfect for every formal occasion.
Grey suit with black shoes
When it comes to styling a light grey suit, the tones are better suited to classic black shoes. For a traditional look, go for a formal, oxford or monk shoe; their high-quality designs will elevate your outfit and keep you looking sharp. Just because you’re opting for a black shoe, there is still space for experimentation; try a smart casual brogue or chelsea boot. These work well paired with your work suit, providing ultimate comfort for the whole day, while their versatile designs mean they can be paired with a pair of jeans or chinos on a weekend – a perfect addition to the on and off duty wardrobe.
What colour shoes should you wear with a black suit
A black suit is a staple in every man’s wardrobe, so it is more consequential to know what shoes to pair with it. When it comes to a black suit the best shoe choice is a classic black to match – we know this might seem a bit obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people get this so wrong! Light shoes totally off balance the outfit. Although we love to encourage experimentation here at Moda Man, when it comes to shoe colour, stick with the classic black. If you want to mix it up, experiment with eccentric shirts and ties, there are unlimited options here. A black shoe doesn’t have to be boring either, there are many designs with intricate detailing that do enough talking on their own, we love the buckle design on barkby black leather shoes and the premium stitching on barrow black leather shoes.
What colour shoes should you wear with a blue suit
A blue suit puts a bold contemporary twist on traditional navy. Full of character and personality, tailoring in these bold shades requires a little more forward planning. As with navy, brown shoes are the go-to when it comes to lighter shades of blue, the difference is, while dark browns suit navy’s depth, lighter brown hues, such as tan shoes, complement much better when pairing with a blue suit.
What colour shoes should you wear with a beige/cream suit
Light brown or tan shoes make a fabulous footwear choice when it comes to cream and beige suits. Cream and beige suits were once only seen in summer; now with stone and tweed extending the look into spring and fall, the light shades create a classic look to be worn to a range of functions. Popular at vintage themed weddings; tweed, houndstooth and plaid have created textured country styling. Rustic textiles and aristocracy fabrics add an edge of luxury and elegance, from rustic tweed blazers to sleek waistcoats layered under jackets. Nothing finishes off this old world style quite like a pair of traditional tan brogues.
Whether you’re worrying what to wear to a job interview, not sure what to pair with your new blue suit or you’ve got a wedding on the horizon. We hope we’ve helped you make some trusty decisions on what works and what does not. Remember, sometimes breaking the rules is fun, as long as you’re aware of how to carry your rebellious look off. For some more inspiration, browse our full range of Men’s shoes at Moda Man, providing fashionable footwear to the modern man- from updated classics to off duty weekend style.
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