Most versatile brown shoes

[Astaroth]

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Yes, hard to go wrong with that nightshade or an oxblood. Essentially you want something close to black, but not black. The problem I have with brown is that it tends to fall down with grey, which is a very common clothing colour.

Theres a shade of grey that dark brown wont work with but burgundy would?

 

[atia2]

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I find that light grey trousers don't work with brown shoes, unless the latter are exceedingly dark. The combination looks... well, spivvy.

 

[Astaroth]

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I find that light grey trousers don't work with brown shoes, unless the latter are exceedingly dark. The combination looks... well, spivvy.

And the same doesnt apply to burgundy/ red shoes? Or are you letting burgundy off because it is by definition dark red?

 

[atia2]

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I don't believe I've ever seen a light red men's shoe, but I don't think red has the natural antipathy to grey that brown does. Indeed, I own a red and grey knitted "fairisle" jumper and the combination is very pleasant. Of course, a light red shoe would most likely look ridiculous with any clothes, but that is not the issue at stake. To make brown work with grey, I find one must take almost all the brown out.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

Spivvy or not, light gray trousers and mid brown or chestnut shoes is a classic.


Bruce Boyer

Mariano Rubinacci

 

[atia2]

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For me, these snaps serve only to confirm my taste. Merely looking at those two makes me feel like I've just been conned out of my inheritance! But each to their own...

 

[Msusox80]

As a fellow millennial I am going to slightly disagree with most and say go for the light brown brogue or even maybe a wingtip. Not as "classically versatile" as dark brown but you've already got the black oxfords for the formal affairs. Light brown CAN be worn with most outfits, and for the younger set is acceptable with even a navy suit..
Chukas are great when your collection grows to 4 or 5 pairs. But too many more important holes to fill before then. Good luck!

 

[quabbs]

My twopenn'orth: tan shoes seem a bit 'fashion forward' with a suit. Acceptable now but in a few years' time they could look as dated as as ultra-skinny lapels and shiny grey fabric.

Dark brown is classic enough to stay versatile.

 

[niomosy]



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Yes, hard to go wrong with that nightshade or an oxblood. Essentially you want something close to black, but not black. The problem I have with brown is that it tends to fall down with grey, which is a very common clothing colour.

Your problem is also main issue with darker browns as well. I look at brown shoes and many of them look nice. Then I look at my closet and my heavy preference for gray and realize I don't have a wardrobe ideally suited (heh) for brown shoes. Oddly enough, I look at tan shoes and realize my wardrobe won't work either but tan shoes get me thinking, "what should I buy to go with these shoes," where darker brown shoes don't elicit those same thoughts.