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Sartorially uninclined.. do these shoes match?

wizard7926

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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
1283470959.741092737.additional.02_large.jpg..large.jpg


Shoes: Allen Edmonds Sanford Walnut
Sanford_Walnut.jpg
 

Quadcammer

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.
smile.gif
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

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I think a nice set of hallam's in a dark brown work well:
hall5057br01.jpg
 

wizard7926

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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.
smile.gif
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
uhoh.gif
), 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.
 

Roger Everett

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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.
 

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