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Are all cap toe non brouged shoes considered formal? I know black is, but what about other colors?

They're the most formal option within the color chosen. Formality of non-black shoes varies by color and by what environment you're in.

Besides what cptjeff has said, as the general rules, the darker the color is more formal it is (black > dark brown > tan > beige, etc.). Also, the smoother the texture the more formal it is (patent > smooth calf > pebbled/suede). Of course, there are exceptions.

This also depends on your environment. In a business environment, patent is completely out-of-place, so I would not classify a patent leather shoe as more formal than an equivalent calf shoe. Evening wear is a different story.

I would. I'd classify it as too formal to wear in a business environment. Similar to how, oh... I'd classify Sperry Top Siders as too casual to wear to a state funeral, where they would be completely out of place.

I just got AE McAllisters in merlot color.

Does the burgundy version of this belt match?
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Leather-Dress-Belt/853C,default,pd.html?dwvar_853C_Color=BLCK&contentpos=15&cgid=0233

And if I wear a 31 waist in pants, will the size 34 belt work? They don't do odd numbers in this belt...

Yes and yes.

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!

While belt and shoes should, as a general thing, broadly match - for example, black belt with black shoes, and brown belt with brown shoes - there is no need to seek a perfect match.

If your shoes are in any of the "reddish, wine-connected colors," like merlot, burgundy, bordeaux, etc., and your belt is also one of those reddish colors, it's close enough. Indeed, some might even suggest that seeking out a perfect match is excessive, and runs the risk of being perceived as overly "matchy-matchy."

Within certain limits, a similar principle applies to matching brown belt and brown shoes. It's usually less relevant when it comes to matching black belt with black shoes, as there are fewer commonly encountered shades of black than there are of burgundy or brown. Consequently, if one owns 3 belts - one in black, one in medium brown, and one in burgundy - nearly any shade of shoe ranging from tan to black can be color matched closely enough so as to not be an issue. (Obviously, a given belt may still fail to go with a given pair of shoes for other reasons, often having to do with formality, or with the color of the metal of its buckle, should it not take interchangeable buckles.)

There are even some parallels involving matching sock color to shoe color, or pocket square color to necktie color. Where close enough may, at times, be preferable to exact.
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Michael

Anyone here owned orvis sporcoats or blazers before? Whats your opinion on the fit, etc.

It should. Something of a rule of thumb (which, like most such rules, has its exceptions and is not universally accepted) is to buy a belt sized 2" larger than your pants' waist size. So the size 34 belt would, by that rule, be exactly right if your pants had a 32" waist.

I would guess that 31" ought to be close enough.

(Despite this answer, and my immediately preceding one about matching belt color to shoe color, I do respect that precision has its place. It's just that that place isn't everywhere.)
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Michael

That "rule" is utterly wrong. I've heard it before, often to justify why an otherwise respectable store doesn't bother stocking size 30 belts, and never understood why people continue to repeat it. Your belt size should be the same as your waist size- you're supposed to use the middle hole, with the others to provide some give in either direction. Belts are measured to the middle hole- if you buckle a 32" belt in the middle hole, it will form a loop 32 inches in circumference.

Now, with vanity sizing and the expectation that you'll only get fatter instead of any thinner, getting a larger belt might be justified in some cases, but should hardly be considered the rule. I wear a size 29 or 30 waist depending on the pant and the day, and wear exclusively size 30 belts.

I am in the market for suede double monks. Do you guys think these Meermin or Peal & Co would be better? Both will be around $300 (assuming Brooks has ~50% off during Boxing Day sale, like last year).

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Peal-Co.%C2%AE-Double-Monk-Straps/MH00194,default,pd.html?dwvar_MH00194_Color=BRWN&contentpos=10&cgid=0522
http://meermin.es/ficha_articulo.php?id=2311

Which last is better? The better quality of the two?

Well now I'm second guessing getting the 34. My waist is 31 inches around, so maybe the 32 would be a better fit...

Yes, it would. The 34 is only going to be 32 inches at its shortest, which is still too long for you.