What Color Shoes for Blue Suit: A Guide to Matching Footwear with Your Formal Attire
While some people may think that shoes are not as important as the suit, they are definitely wrong. Dressing well means dressing appropriately, and shoes are no exception- the wrong ones can ruin a great outfit. In this article, we’ll give you tips and tricks on how to suit shoes and what colors of shoes you should rock with your navy suit.
We will discuss the basics of pairing the shoes with the suits touching on color patterns, type of material as well as styles. We will also talk about some different kinds of dress shoe styles and also give you other ways to improve your appearance in general. Here are the amazing tips on how you can look and feel good inside and out.
The Best Shoe Colors For Navy Suits
When it comes to match with a navy suit, brown shoes are a classic choice. Nevertheless, the type of brown that you can use should depend on the occasion. For formal times, it is best to stick with the darker types of brown; for less formal occasions, the lighter browns are preferable.
In terms of a medium-warm shade, these will look best in light brown or tan shoes which lend themselves to a more informal look but are more refined than sneakers: full brogue, wingtip, chukka boots. It is best used for casual occasions thus it is appropriate that it is named after the Casual Classic.
For less formal occasions, but still quite proper, the oxblood, cognac or burgundy shoes will look perfect in a more formal loafer, Chelsea boot or semi-brogue. These shades give that classy look to your outfit. For formal occasion pair the outfit with a dark brown or black shoe in Monk strap or Derby design. For black tie and white tie events you should not only wear black suits, but also black shoes.
Remember, a good pair of shoes will ensure that the whole outfit is pulled off well depending on the function in navy suits.
Pairing Shoes And Suits: The Fundamentals
Contrast
Pairing shoes with suits is all about harmony and a good dress sense, in my opinion. This can be done by findings ways of adding contrast to your outfit. Shoes that are slightly lighter or a shade darker than the shade of the suit you are going to wear can help you avoid the dullness of a one colour outfit and add interest to the ensemble.
For instance, the cognac shoes leave the classic navy blue suit with a hint of light and dark that creates a good contrast. However contrasting should not be done to an extent of making them look like they do not complement each other. Do not wear tan shoes with a dark charcoal suit or black shoes with a tan suit because it is going to look bad.
Shoe Material and Style
When it comes to pairing shoes and suits, the color of the shoe in addition to the type of shoe material and its style is preferred. The only footwear suitable for wearing with a suit is a leather pair – but not all leathers are the same. The best leather is full grain followed by top grain, split grain which includes suede leather and patent leather.
The roughness of your shoe material must match the roughness of your suit fabric. For instance, when clothing made of rough textures such as tweed or coarse cotton, the appropriate matching shoes will be those made of suede or textured leather while shoes that can complement fine-wear such as wool or linen upgraded leather.
Concerning the materials, there are many a dress shoe and the models include oxford shoes, derby shoes, monk strap shoes, Brouge shoes and more. Any of these, will look great with shoes of brown leather color for a navy suit depending on the kind of event.
Dress Codes
The shoes you select for your suit has ability to make the look less formal or formal depending on the occasion of the event. In all the cases, the general rule is that the more black in the general outfit, the more formal the look of the person will be.
However, do not use much bright colors for the greatest formal dress codes such as ‘black tie’, then wear black tuxedos with black shoes. For any occasion that is not a black tie occasion, dark blue or charcoal business suit with dark brown shoes are appropriate. If it is a more laid back event, it is appropriate to play around with the different shades of the same color and be okay with changing the shoes also.
Remember that shoes and suits are matching outfits, which are chosen based on their style and the event you are going to attend. It’s notable to follow these fundamental basics of contrast, the shoe material and style, dresses code, and you will be fit to impress any occasion.
How To Match Your Dress Shoes With Other Suit Colors
Shades of Blue
Blue suits are some of the most popular suits that are in the market and which are ideal for, business lunches, meetings, wedding occasions, and semi-formal occasions. There are quite many different shades of blue and each of the color best fits a particular type of shoe.
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Light Blue Suits: Light blue is a great color that should be worn with other medium or darker shades of brown such as chocolate or cognac to achieve the sophisticated look. It will make a high-class and classy appearance since the materials used will be contrasting.
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Dark Blue Suits: Dark blue suits are a lot more formal but you can make them less formal by pairing them with light brown dress shoes. If you want to be more business appropriate and classy, dark brown, oxblood or black shoes can be worn with dark blue suits as well. Shoe color will be as per the event/ occasion or your preference.
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Navy Blue Suits: For a less formal look, it is proper to wear shoes in medium brown color with navy suit. If you want to capture a little more formal appearance, then you should go for it dark brown shoes. If you happen to be going for a black tie occasion then you will find that black dress shoes best fit your navy suit. Especially if you are rather tall, black shoes will make a sharp contrast against navy suit color, which is good.
Shades of Gray
Similarly to blue suits, gray suits are very practical, appropriate to wear both to business meetings and to business dinners. Fortunately for owners of gray suits, gray suits are easily combinable with practically any shade of shoes, provided the difference is determined.
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Light Gray Suits: Light gray suits do not cause any problems in the process of combining with any color of shoes. When choosing your accessories remember to have contrast in mind; for the light gray suits dark brown or oxblood shoes will suffice in giving you that classy and classy look. The best example is the appearance of light gray with dark brown or oxblood shoes, the style looks very classy.
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Medium Gray Suits: If you want something less formal, however, tan should suffice, while cognac and black shoes will do the trick if you want a more formal appearance. Medium grey and tanned shoes provide more of a laid back and classy fashion sense, while medium and cognac or black shoes provides a sleek and sophisticated look.
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Charcoal Suits: Charcoal suits, the darkest option, are perfectly complemented by black or dark brown shoes for an effortlessly formal look. Pairing charcoal with black or dark brown shoes is an excellent choice because it makes you look sharp to anyone around you.
Shades of Brown
Brown suits are unconventional, and the perfection of the choice of shoes depends only on the shade. Another thing which should be noted that is, black shoes should never be worn with a brown suit, it is a fashion mistake. What is normally deemed safer choice, is normally a sort of dark brown shoe.
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Light Brown or Beige Suits: If you are going with the light brown or beige suit then any shade of brown dress shoes will look best. The contrast of the suit and shoes will make one look casual and trendy.
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Darker Brown Suits: As long as you wear shoes in a shade of brown that is darker than the suit, you cannot go wrong. This contrast will help to achieve smarter and more stylish appearance of the suit and shoes.
Black Suits
Black suits are the most formal of all suit colors. Black suits ideally should only be worn with black shoes because anything else seems to make the overall appearance look off and very uncoordinated. While pairing black suits with black shoes makes the outfit look professional and well planned for occasion based events.
Different Types of Dress Shoe Styles
There are various types of dress shoe styles available for men, each with its unique features and level of formality. Below are different dress shoe styles so as you are eager to know which is the best type to wear during occasions then you need to ensure that you wear the first type since it is the most formal.
Oxfords
Oxfords are a type of shoes or boots characterized by lacing and design in different types. Of all the shoe styles the Balmoral and Adelaide oxfords are the least flashy dress shoes with the least amount of ornamentation. Semi formal shoes are also known as non brogues, some of the best designs include cap-toe oxford shoes with horizontal seam on the toe box. Oxfords are suitable to be worn in important occasions such as weddings, business meetings or employment interviews.
Derby
Derbies are also lace-up shoes but they have an open lacing system whereby once you look at the shoe, you are likely to see the tongue. Derbies are one of the dressiest shoes, although, like oxfords, they can be worn casually. It should also be noted that they can be easily combined with formal and informal wear.
Monk Straps
Monk straps look similar to Derbies, but instead of laces, they have buckles in single, double, or triple strap styles. They are suitable for workplace wear or smart casual occasion and may be formal occasions with a minimum level of formality.
Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are ankle boots and which are fastened by elastic bands on one side or both sides. These boots without fail are stylish and comfortable with any clothing: formal, casual, any. Chelsea boots can be worn on any occasion – for a night out or a semi-formal occasion.
Brogues
Broguing refers to the perforated holes found along the edges of the leather and can be seen on Oxfords, Derbies, Monk Straps, and many other shoe styles. Lace shoes are slightly more casual than shoes with no brogueing, however, they can be worn with suits which are business casual. They are ideal for business casual occasion or for an evening going out with friends.
Wingtip
Wingtips are fancy shoes with broguing around almost every side of the shoe. This type of shoe has a medallion toe, which implies it has a pointier – however, flattened – toe. It is more appropriate for informal occasions like weddings, cocktail parties or formal dinners and other semi formals. Wingtips are appropriate for going out with friends or when you need to dress up somewhat for an occasion.
Loafers
Loafers are a more casual slip-on style that look great with light-colored suits worn to more informal, daytime, outdoor occasions like summer weddings or brunches. They can be worn during a casual evening or even during a day event.
Chukka Boots
Chukka boots have laces and are typically a bit shorter than Chelsea boots. They are perfect for casual use but with a little alteration, they can be worn with suits in the absence of other dress shoes. Chukka boots are suitable to be worn when going out during the evening, as well as to any events that happen in the daytime.
Boat Shoes
Boat shoes have a relaxed summer vibe to them, perfect with linen or seersucker suits. These can be worn for any type of event – wear them for a night out or during a day time event.
In conclusion, choosing the right dress shoe style is essential to complete your outfit. Regardless of if it is formal or informal, there is always a dress shoe style that can meet your match.
Other Ways To Elevate Your Look
Tailoring
Investing in a great tailor is one of the best choices to make in terms of fashion. Anyone who looks at you can easily tell that you are well dressed and smart when you are dressed in a well-fitted suit whether costly or cheap. A tailor will adjust and alter your suit to his or her physical shape and calibre, so nothing hampers your display of the best dressing code at any occasion.
They charge between $40 and $400 for a tailoring service, depending on the extent of work to be done on the suit and the work usually takes 1-2 weeks. Indeed it looks like a costly affair but in the long run it proves to be a worthy investment. Proper fitting suit will not only help someone look good but well also help them feel better and more confident.
Undershirts
Accessories
Accessories such as bags and jewelry are perfect to build complexity, chic and individuality to the basic outfit. A wrist watch, belts, tie clips, and sunglasses will complete the general look of the outfit. For more official occasions, you need cufflinks and pocket square that are very elegant and timeless.
As with clothing, when selecting accessories: the event to which you will be going and your preferred fashion taste. Do not be timid in trying various accessories because there are one or another that would look specially good on you. Accessorizing cannot be over looked if only because one simple piece can take an outfit from good to great.
Moreover, vests, briefs, and accessories are still some of the ways that can be used to improve one’s dressing code. If you invest in these small details, you do not look and feel the worse at any occasion.
Look And Feel Great From Head To Toe
When it comes to looking and feeling your best, it's important to pay attention to the details. Despite the fact that a properly tailored suit will help you to feel as a real king, along with undergarments will definitely step up your style. According to Underfit, they have a collection of undershirts with support options while creating a flattering form.
These comfy athletic T’s feature moisture-wicking and anti-odor technology for crew, V-neck, and invisible undershirts great for wearing under a suit to stay comfortable and dry. This is because there are many different fits and styles available to cater for your needs.
Of course, the right shoes are also an important part of any outfit. With a few simple styling rules, anyone will be able to pick the right dress shoe to complete your outfit. Following these simple tips and buying suitable under garments you may look and feel great from head to toe.