Different shoes for different suits

For almost three years now the vast majority of us have been embracing a smart-casual lifestyle, with many spending our entire nine-to-fives dressed down thanks to remote working.

What this period has provided in regard to flexibility, it has retracted from our ability to style on the other end of the scale - in a formal fashion.

Now, in early 2023, preparing for an event where dressing smart is a prerequisite can prove rather challenging.

Picture the scene, you’ve got a special occasion on the horizon, whether it be a job interview or a wedding, and you’ve completely forgotten what it’s like to wear a suit and what works when it comes to pairing shoes.

Not to fear - footwear retailer schuh have designed a handy guide on the different shoes to wear with each colour of suit in 2023.

Black suit

Black suits are an easy decision, presenting little complication – black suits, black shoes. There’s not really any leeway when it comes to matching up a leather shoe with a black suit. A lighter coloured shoe will appear off balance with the dark hue of a black suit.

While you might not be able to play with colour, you can opt for a less traditional shoe than the classic Oxford. Try pairing your suit with a brogue or a loafer for a more casual look.

Charcoal suit

When it comes to a dark grey suit these can also be paired with black shoes and are often the best choice for creating a sharp and stylish look. For a less formal occasion, try pairing a dark grey suit with burgundy shoes.

It still creates a balanced look while providing a more contemporary feel to your outfit. Dark brown shoes will throw off the depth of grey and light brown would draw your eyes towards your feet, and not in a good way.

Navy suit

Navy suits are a good all-rounder - now we’re talking about one of the more flexible choices when it comes to footwear. Navy hues go down a treat with black, brown, tan or even burgundy shoes if you’re feeling jazzy.

Black shoes are the safe choice of course, particularly if you’re going for a dark navy suit for a more formal look e.g. a job interview – but our personal top shoe for a navy suit would be a pair of tan brogues. Brown and tan shoes create a complementary and stylish look when paired with a navy suit. This look works well when you want to look sharp and polished in a more casual setting without resorting to the more formal black shoe.

Grey suit

A bit like its navy counterpart, the grey suit can be paired up comfortably with just about any colour of smart shoe depending on the hue of the suit.

Light grey suits work best when paired with black shoes as this tones down the overall appearance of the light grey for a more formal look.

So, there you have it, the perfect footwear combinations for your suits ahead of your next formal event.

Emulate the style of some of the hottest male celebrities on the planet who've donned a grey, navy, black, or charcoal suit and hit the red carpet with a cool pair of shoes. The schuh collection features a host of brogues, oxfords, generally smart shoes, and smart casual options that would cater to any occasion, regardless of season or weather!