Shoes and suits colour guide when you want to match suits and shoes, there are a couple of things to consider which “The Colour of Shoe” is one of them. Not many people are aware of this as I get this question on a regular basis – What colour of shoes should I wear with my suit?
Some suit colours work best with specific shoe colours, hence this simple guide has been written to help you choose correctly the colour of shoe to go with your suit.
Just in case you are asking the same question, don’t worry it’s very easy to get it right once you master the basic colour rules. So, here is a guide on how to match suits and shoes.
THE COLORS OF SHOE
THE SUIT
There are several colours of suits, but in this article, we will be discussing only eight (8) colours. Let’s get started, shall we?
1. THE BLACK SUIT
You should only pair with
- BLACK SHOES (This is the only appropriate shoe colour for a black suit)
NEVER PAIR with any of these
- BROWN SHOES
- BURGUNDY SHOES
- LIGHT BROWN SHOES
2. THE CHARCOAL/DARK GREY SUIT
You CAN pair with any of these two shoe colours
- BLACK SHOES [Best Choice]
- BURGUNDY SHOES [2nd Choice]
NEVER PAIR with
- BROWN SHOES
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES
A charcoal grey suit is a formal suit, pairing it with a black shoe is the best option. Although it can go with Dark Burgundy Shoes. Avoid pairing it with brown or tan shoes as it makes it look informal.
3. THE NAVY SUIT
You CAN pair with any of the four basic colours of shoes.
- BROWN SHOES (Best Choice 1)
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES (2nd Choice)
- BURGUNDY SHOES [3rd Choice]
- BLACK SHOES [4th Choice]
The best choice for this suit colour would be a brown shoe or a tan shoe. Burgundy also works well especially when worn on a less strict business day, let’s say on a Thursday at the office. Even though a black shoe is acceptable, avoid wearing this colour too often as it is bound to make it look like you are wearing a black suit on a black shoe.
Even though a black shoe is acceptable, avoid wearing this colour too often as it is bound to make it look like you are wearing a black suit on a black shoe.
4. THE BLUE SUIT – OTHER SHADES OF BLUE
[SUCH AS POWDER, ROYAL, COBALT, SAPPHIRE, INDIGO AND OTHER SHADES OF BLUE]
You CAN pair with any of the four basic colours of shoes.
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES (Best Choice 1)
- BROWN SHOES (2nd Choice)
- BURGUNDY SHOES [3rd Choice]
- BLACK SHOES [4th Choice]
Since this suit goes with all the 4 basic colours of shoes, now to select the particular one you want to wear, you just need to choose the shoe that compliments the accessories you’ve introduced in your outfit.
Shoes and suits colour guide
So let’s say you have a powder blue or royal blue suit, a white shirt and a red tie – You should pick a Tan, Brown or Burgundy Shoe. On the other hand, if it’s a powder blue or royal blue suit, a white shirt and a black tie – You should choose a Black shoe. Overall, all shoe colours work well for The Blue Suit.
5. THE MEDIUM & LIGHT GREY SUIT
You CAN pair with any of the four basic colours of shoes and even more. It is the most versatile suit colour.
- BROWN SHOES
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES
- BLACK SHOES
- BURGUNDY SHOES
Just like The Blue Suit, the Light Grey suit goes with all shoe colours. To select the particular one you want to wear, you just need to choose the shoe that compliments the accessories you’ve introduced to your outfit.
6. THE BROWN SUIT
You CAN pair with any of these three shoe colours below:
- BROWN SHOES [Best Choice 1]
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES [2nd Choice]
- BURGUNDY SHOES [3rd Choice]
NEVER PAIR with
- BLACK SHOES
Brown shoes work best with brown or tan shoes. Avoid black shoes with this colour of the suit.
7. THE BURGUNDY SUIT
You CAN pair with any of these four shoe colours
- BROWN SHOES [Best Choice 1]
- TAN OR LIGHT BROWN SHOES [2nd Choice]
- BLACK SHOES [3rd Choice]
- BURGUNDY SHOES [4th Choice]
If your suit is a deep burgundy, you can wear brown shoes as well as black shoes.
8. THE BEIGE & CHAMPAGNE SUIT
You CAN pair with any of these two shoe colours below
- Tan or Light Brown Shoes
- White shoes (Both Casual and Formal)
NEVER PAIR with
- BLACK SHOES
- BROWN SHOES
- BURGUNDY SHOES
A beige suit should be paired with a shoe of same lighter shade such as a tan or light brown shoe. Depending on the occasion, if it’s an informal one, you can wear a white shoe. This suit colour can easily be worn with informal shoes such as sneakers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This shoes and suits colour guide has been written to help you make the right decision on which colour of the shoe is best for your suit. A lot of gents like to keep it safe by wearing a black shoe with all their suits and this doesn’t always go well.
You can actually make more of an impact with your suit look if you go for a brown, burgundy or tan shoe depending on what works well as against sticking to the usual black shoe all the time. However, as we’ve learned today that a black shoe is suitable for all colour of suits except beige and brown suit. Please keep this in mind when next you are rocking your suit!
You can actually make more of an impact with your suit look if you go for a brown, burgundy or tan shoe depending on what works well as against sticking to the usual black shoe all the time. However, as we’ve learned today that a black shoe is suitable for all colour of suits except beige and brown suit. Please keep this in mind when next you are rocking your suit!
I hope this guide is helpful to you. Are you interested in buying suits? Not sure how to buy the right suit? We can help you, simply contact us today.
