Formal Shoes – The Most Versatile Shoes for Men

by Jason S. Shoe Enthusiast

Imagine your shoe cabinet as one unique, eclectic family. Each pair of formal shoes has its own personality and that personality comes out shining only if you wear them for the right occasion. Think of it in terms of equations you have among your family members. How does the equation look like? There is an equal chance that you complement the formal shoes with a business suit, a charcoal gray suit, a patterned shirt and a patterned necktie. Formal Mens shoes are not all that hard to pick. Depending upon the weather conditions, the place, the occasion and most importantly your sibling - you can decide on 2 types of formal shoes - semi-formal & formal.

Types of formal shoes-

Formal dress is a special category of attire worn to very prestigious and stylistically refined occasions – think award ceremonies, weddings, royal galas and formal balls. While occasions may be plenty, there are four main types of formal shoes. It’s essential to understand what these four types are before jumping into deeper details of colour coordination and outfit accessories. So let’s start with a brief chat about these shoes:

Oxford Shoes
Derby Shoes
Brogues
Loafer

Oxford Shoes-

An Oxford (/ˈɒksməd/ or /ˈɒks.məd/) is a kind of men's shoe characterized by parallel uppers sewn together on the last with a closed lacing, based on the oxford shoes originally made in England in the mid-1800s. The uppers are triple-stitched for added strength and durability, while the incredibly lightweight soles help reduce the pressure placed on your heel. Oxfords are more formal than derby or blucher styles. They are usually black, but are also available in other colors, such as brown, tan, navy, grey and burgundy.

Derby Shoes-

The open lacing system of our derby shoes allows for a snug and comfortable fit, and the flexible sole makes them a versatile choice. Whether you’re running around town and need something to kick off at the end of the day, or lounging around at work on a rainy day, Derb shoes will always put you in comfort. Dress them up with a suit or sport jacket, or dress them down with an Oxford shirt.

It is usually important to choose between the oxford vs derby shoes. Generally speaking, oxford shoes are considered to be more formal than derby shoes. They also look more elegant; however, they may not be that comfortable compared to the other style. Oxford shoes are considered to be more formal because they have close lacing system while derby have open lacing system which makes a feet more comfortable. Men’s Oxford are also well-known for being less comfortable when walking.

Brogues-

The Brogue Shoe is a classic style, as evidenced by its popularity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Brogue shoes look similar to the popular lace up oxford shoes and they are often referred to as such. The brogues feature a hole punched on the upper part of the shoe that makes a decorative pattern, called a brogue or perforated design. The brogue therefore offers a wide variety of options for any man's wardrobe.

Loafers-

Barker offers a lot of fashionable shoes for men these days, even loafers. These are the perfect, stylish shoes for any guy to showcase his taste in clothing. The uppers are made of genuine leather. The rubber sole keeps your feet firmly planted on the ground, but the generous flare at both ends keeps you comfortable. The top line is embellished with metal detailing that makes this style even more attractive.

Colour them right-

If you want to know how colours interact, look no further than the men’s formal shoe collection from Barker. Formal shoes come in a variety of colours, all of which can be worn with a wide range of outfits. Below is a simple guide that will help you choose your footwear shades wisely:

Black Color: Black formal shoes are the must have for those smart days. A pair is part of any man’s wardrobe but black formal shoes shouldn’t be worn with every outfit as they need to be paired with a colour to make it look classy. In general, brown and navy blue should be avoided as they dull the look of a pair of formal shoes.

Brown shoes: If you're looking for a versatile addition to your wardrobe, look no further. Brown shoes fit seamlessly into all types of outfits, from dressed up to dressed down. They can be paired with other browns, earth tones and even black without looking mismatched.

Tan/Light Brown shoes: Formal shoes are always a good investment, especially if you're attending lots of events. These tan/brown formal shoes go with almost any suit - but they're not only fit for the office. Try them out for drinks after work with your friends, or pairing them with some jeans for an impromptu dinner date.

All Barker footwear is made using the traditional Goodyear welted construction at the Barker factory in Northamptonshire, which offers longevity to all our products.