Are Black Shoes Necessary?

[Jay687]

Outside the most formal occasions (i.e. conservative interview) when one is wearing either a charcoal (or black for funeral) suit, when would you need to wear black shoes? It seems like fairly formal environments where a suit is necessary (work, wedding, etc.), you could often change black shoes with brown with no ill effect (i.e. as long as your suit isn't charcoal).

And then when considering business casual, where wool pants and chinos are generally a lighter shade of charcoal, medium grey, shades of brown, taupe, etc... that brown shoes are far more versatile and, dare I say, better looking.


Does anyone agree? Or am I missing something here? I suppose it is also preference since enjoy wearing black shoes with varying shades of grey (and navy, for navy suits or those who wear navy pants). I just know I prefer browns and as a result my black shoes are hardly worn... sometimes I have to force myself to give them a chance, lol.


And to conclude, and answer my own question, they are necessary in some (albeit rare) situations... but curious I'm alone in that thought.

 

[mgshaz]

Outside of the formal areas which you mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference. While I generally prefer brown most of the time, I do sometimes enjoy the sleekness black exudes when paired with a navy suit, or the contrast it provides against a mid-to-light grey trouser. The preference seems to go in cycles for me, and I find that I'll hit stretches where I definitely eschew black altogether a period.

Just don't take your opinion to London - other than that, you should be fine!

 

[archibaldleach]

Black shoes generally are necessary or highly recommended for job interviews, client meetings, funerals, most weddings, and any time you are going to wear a suit or formalwear in the evening (I'd even go with black non-oxfords in the evening for pairing with a blazer and grey trousers). If you work in a particularly conservative environment with a dress code that requires suits, I'd stick to black shoes unless you see a fair number of people at your level deviating from this.

Black shoes are generally not necessary for wear with an odd jacket and trousers (though they look better than brown with a blazer and greys) or any more casual outfit and are not necessary when you are wearing a suit if you are not in a particularly conservative environment. I generally prefer to avoid black shoes with trousers in any shade of tan or brown and greatly prefer brown shoes whenever I am wearing a tweed jacket.

Please note the use of the word "generally." No guide is going to be exact, but I'd say if you are ever in doubt about whether you should wear non-black shoes as a matter of propriety, stick to black shoes. In most places, most of the time, at least in the U.S., you can safely wear brown shoes without any issue. If you prefer them, let them be your most common shoe color and save the black shoes for occasions when you think it best to be a bit more conservative (e.g. the things mentioned in my first paragraph).

 

[Gauss17]

Yes

 

[Balfour]

Outside the most formal occasions (i.e. conservative interview) when one is wearing either a charcoal (or black for funeral) suit, when would you need to wear black shoes?

Monday to Friday.

It seems like fairly formal environments where a suit is necessary (work, wedding, etc.), you could often change black shoes with brown with no ill effect (i.e. as long as your suit isn't charcoal).

Not in England.

 

[Jay687]

I didn't realize the rules were more strictly followed in England. Are all grey/navy worn with black and only browns with brown shoes?

 

[RogerP]

It's only necessary in the sense of being a foundational element in the wardrobe of a well-dressed business / professional. Nobody is going to make you buy a pair, though.

 

[tyrolean]

That has so much to do with the job you have and the place you life.

For example beeing a lawyer or banker in Central Europe you would invariably wear black shoes. (If you don't you will certainly have to face criticism at times.) If you are working in other business environments or branches you might have no problem wearing different shades of browns your whole life.

I've experienced myself that darkbrown Captoe Oxfords were sometimes considered as beeing way too informal, whereas black Fullbrogues or Norvegese were accepted. (How do you think about this comparison?) This seems kind of silly to me but sometimes just stick with your black ones and you'll be safe.

So the answer to this question is yes, you could do without black shoes mostly, but unfortunately not everyone.