Sartorially uninclined.. do these shoes match?

[wizard7926]

I know brown shoes go with navy suits.. but my suit is such a dark navy and the shoes I'm thinking about buying look like a lighter brown, so I don't know how well they match. Set me straight.

Suit: Indochino Hedonist Navy

Shoes: Allen Edmonds Sanford Walnut

 

[Quadcammer]

depends what look you are going for.

For a dandy "striking" look, the lighter walnut shoe will stand out and look nice.

if this is a business situation, I would go with a darker brown shoe.

If this is a SUPER conservative situation, some gents will say only black shoes will do, although I don't like it.

 

[wizard7926]

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

depends what look you are going for.

For a dandy "striking" look, the lighter walnut shoe will stand out and look nice.

if this is a business situation, I would go with a darker brown shoe.

If this is a SUPER conservative situation, some gents will say only black shoes will do, although I don't like it.

I guess I should've specified -- not for business, but more for formal affairs/weddings/etc.

Also wasn't sure if the shoe was as light in person, it seems that AE tends to up the contrast on their online photos..

 

[Quadcammer]

hmm, well it certainly depends on the occasion, but I'd say the walnut would be fine for more causal events.

for formal affairs though, wouldn't you be wearing black?

 

[Chrenetique]

Business suit + casual shoes (derby, broguing, light brown) = does not match at all.

I would never wear this suit, nor these shoes, for formal events.

 

[wizard7926]

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

for formal affairs though, wouldn't you be wearing black?

I guess formal isn't really the word I was going for - I just want to look like I'm well put together when I attend weddings or anywhere I have to be a little more formal than a button-up and khakis.

 

[BoomDiggs]

It looks good to me. Personally, I wouldn't wear a pin stripe to a wedding, becausse I associate it with business, but the colors are a good combination for a wedding.

 

[wizard7926]

What shade of brown do you think might pair better with this dark of a navy? Examples?

Also, the pinstripe isn't nearly as pronounced in person. Very muted, IMO.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by wizard7926

What shade of brown do you think might pair better with this dark of a navy? Examples?

The shade is fine, though personally I'd prefer if they weren't bluchers...

 

[unjung]

I think the shoes are a little light for the suit.

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

The shade is fine, though personally I'd prefer if they weren't bluchers...

Agreed. Oxfords > bluchers.

 

[bluesman528]

Originally Posted by wizard7926

I guess formal isn't really the word I was going for - I just want to look like I'm well put together when I attend weddings or anywhere I have to be a little more formal than a button-up and khakis.
These are very different situations. The striped navy suit is a business type, with the waistcoat a more formal one. I would not wear it casually or for a wedding. And if I wear it, I would wear black oxfords with it, as plain as possible. If you want a more relaxed suit for casual events and brown shoes, buy one.

The same goes for weddings where you can get away with a plain charcoal or plain navy suit (possibly herringbone, too) but not with a striped one (morning dress aside) and certainly not with brown shoes.

 

[Quadcammer]

I think a nice set of hallam's in a dark brown work well:

 

[wizard7926]

Originally Posted by bluesman528

These are very different situations. The striped navy suit is a business type, with the waistcoat a more formal one. I would not wear it casually or for a wedding. And if I wear it, I would wear black oxfords with it, as plain as possible. If you want a more relaxed suit for casual events and brown shoes, buy one.

The same goes for weddings where you can get away with a plain charcoal or plain navy suit (possibly herringbone, too) but not with a striped one (morning dress aside) and certainly not with brown shoes.
Unfortunately when paired with my frequency of use, my budget doesn't afford me to buy multiple suits. I have a very plain dark grey (not charcoal dark, but medium dark), and I chose this navy suit to kind of liven up my wardrobe. I generally don't like the look of plain suits on myself; I find them boring and unflattering even when paired with more exciting accessories. I also don't operate in a circle where sartorial no-no's are taboo; most are generally impressed that I even wear a suit that's well-fitting and tailored (recently, some even thought that I was too well-fitted to be heterosexual.. but that's a different story

), so it wouldn't be frowned upon to wear a subtle pinstripe at a wedding, or brown shoes with navy, as it might be in a conservative office or with more knowledgeable colleagues. That said, I want to look my best and am interested in purchasing shoes that look great with this suit, and it sounds like a dark brown oxford is generally the path of choice. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Macallan]

Dark brown or black, maybe even deep blue.

 

[Roger Everett]

I not only think the walnut goes well with a navy pin stripe, but all day Sunday I had on a similar ( but 2 pc. ) suit with my walnut 5th aveues and a yellow sm. paterned tie, and my lady thought I looked super. Don't forget to get a matching belt though.