Suits are great for their simplicity, and in a streamlined look, every detail matters. Since a suit is usually one colour, the shade of your accessories makes a big difference to the overall impression you make. Read on to discover how to matchsuitsandshoesaccording to the occasion, for the sharpest formal result. In a corporate environment, it's important to look the part. A navy suit is unbeatable here, as it's classic and assured, without being loud. The best shoes to wear with a navy suit are black, navy or cognac: keep within these tones for a foolproof office look. BLACK NAVY COGNAC On some occasions, you might want to create a more polished professional look - something that stands out from the everyday. In this case, opt for a sharply tailored black suit with one of the following shoe colours. DARK BROWN BLACK DEEP RED The dress code might be more relaxed, but it's still important to have a coordinated outfit. A grey suit is understated and easy to mix with more casual elements from your wardrobe, making it an easy choice for informal business situations. DARK BROWN BLACK In very casual workplaces, it can still be appropriate to wear tailoring sometimes. In this case, blue is a winning choice. The shoes that go best with a blue suit are navy or white. NAVY Ground a blue suit with navy shoes for a sophisticated tonal look that still feels relaxed. WHITE The warmer months call for lighter coloured tailoring to keep control of the heat. With a pale blue suit, choose black or navy shoes. BLACK NAVY
the corporate business look
The most understated option, black will always look sharp with a navy suit. This will always be the most straightforward choice, since you don't need to consider different shades.
Navy is always a reliable option for any element of your workplace outfit. When teaming navy shoes with a navy suit, go for shoes that are several shades darker than the tailoring.
Cognac is a particularly rich shade of brown, making it a great choice for contrasting with a navy suit while still looking appropriate for a corporate workplace.the elegant business look
Choose a very dark brown shade so that you have some contrast with your suit without creating a clash.
A black suit with black shoes will look effortlessly elegant. Add a colourful shirt or tie to avoid looking too sombre.
Make a powerful statement while still looking ready for business with deep red shoes and a black suit.
the smart-casual business look
When mixing a grey suit with brown shoes, opt for similar depths of colour. For example, a dark grey suit goes well with dark brown shoes.
A smarter option than brown, black shoes with a grey suit look understated and elegant. Choose this option for a more minimalist take on business style.the informal business look
White provides fresh contrast when worn with blue, and looks clean and crisp enough for the workplace.
the summer business look
Light suits can look quite casual, so if you need to stay smart, black is the best choice. It's an effortless option that never looks out of place.
Tonal looks always appear sophisticated, so balance the light blue suit with navy shoes for an accomplished finish.
FAQs
How to match shoes and suits? ›
For a formal look, always choose black Oxford or patent leather shoes. However, for a slightly less formal option, you can wear dress boots or loafers. However, we always recommend the all-black look, no matter the suit-shoe style combination.
What shoes to wear with which suit? ›Navy suits are highly versatile. The most popular choice is brown but almost any shoe color will also match this suit. Gray suits pair well with a variety of colors including black, lighter brown or camel. Charcoal suits look best with black or dark burgundy shoes.
How to match your shoes to your outfit? ›If your outfit has a pattern, for example, pick one colour within the design and match it to the same colour in your shoe. If your outfit is made up of one or two solid colours, you can either pick one of the colours or select a neutral colour. There is such a thing as being too matching.
How do you pair a suit with sneakers? ›While lighter colored sneakers can pair incredibly well with a darker colored suit (e.g white sneakers with a navy suit), and darker sneakers can work with lighter colored suits, a monochromatic or tonal look can defy such conventions and still result in an emphatic outfit.
Should your shoes match your suit? ›To summarise: Black suit = black shoes. Navy suit = black, brown or burgundy shoes. Grey suit = black, dark brown or burgundy shoes.
What is supposed to match in a suit? ›Match Your Shirt and Tie
A good rule of thumb when choosing a suit is to match your shirt with your tie. Because these two items are the most visible, it's important that they match. Wearing a brown tie with a white shirt, for instance, isn't going to work. Instead, consider wearing a black tie.
Black, beige, and gray shoes go with anything. Since they are all neutrals, you can wear these colors to offset a more vibrant outfit. Of course, with these neutrals, you can either mix and match or keep them in a similar tonal family. Red shoes are an ideal way to get an elevated look.
Should your shoes match your jacket? ›If you are wearing a leather jacket, the color, texture and type of leather ideally will match or complement your other accessories. A shiny, black leather jacket should not be worn with matte, brown leather shoes.
Should shoes match dress or jacket? ›Choose shoes that are one shade darker than your outfit.
To avoid the cringe factor that often comes from mixing two similar but slightly different colors, opt for a pair of shoes a hair darker than your outfit—a fire-engine red dress with pair of cherry-red heels, for example.
Shoes with bright colors should be matched or complemented with muted tones in the pants or shirt. Wear the right style of shoes for the right occasion, even if they don't lend you the style you want. It's always better to wear a neutral color of the right shoes than to wear the wrong shoe type.
Should shoes be darker or lighter than pants? ›
The starting point for any decision about what shoes to wear with an outfit, is that they should be darker than the trousers. So with a charcoal trouser, a black shoe or very dark brown. With a mid-grey trouser, dark or mid-brown (below). And only with a very light grey or cream trouser, a tan shoe (above).
Can I wear half a shoe on a suit? ›MULES (HALF SHOES)
Make no mistake, mules are neither dress shoes nor loafers, they are slippers and perhaps the most casual shoe in this article alongside sneakers. You can rock your half shoes with shorts or free-flowy suit pants. You can also wear it with your traditional outfit to a casual close-knit event.
Keep Them Plain. Any sneaker worn at a formal event should be plain. You don't need an abundance of colour drawing too much attention to your feet. Stick to one shade and, if you want any additional pieces, choose leather tassels or discreet metal accessories.
Is it okay to wear white shoes with a suit? ›Wearing a suit with white sneakers has become increasingly popular in recent years for an excellent reason because it's stylish, comfortable, and versatile. With so many options available in suits and sneaker styles, anyone can pull off this look regardless of their personal style or body type.
Should your shoes be darker than your suit? ›As a general rule, you should wear shoes that are as least as dark as your suit.
Should shoes be lighter or darker than a dress? ›Your shoes should always be a few shades lighter or darker than your dress. Though matching leather bags and shoes can work, avoid going for the same material as the rest of your outfit. Combine different materials and fabrics to bring texture to your look.
Do I match my shoes with my shirt or pants? ›Shoes should match the shirt, trousers and overall clothing style to create a coordinated, neat and stylish look.
Can I wear a black suit with brown shoes? ›A: Generally, light brown or tan shoes are not recommended with a black suit as the contrast can be too stark. Stick to darker shades of brown for a more cohesive look. Q: What types of brown shoes work best with a black suit? A: For formal events, opt for formal brown shoes like brogues or loafers in dark brown.