Shoes too brown for a grey suit? Help! Pic included

[Achilles_]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Charcoal requires black shoes in general or very very dark brown...

Or oxblood

 

[Superfluous]

Not sure what the problem is. If it's a wedding that you're attending, it matters even less. I don't like to wear black shoes in general and would definitely wear brown shoes here.

 

[Chris_AK]

Originally Posted by tim_horton

I'm the opposite. The lighter the gray, the more likely I am to go with brown shoes (and then, only dark brown.) With charcoal, I'd always pick black shoes.


Really? Only dark brown?

 

[Master-Classter]

IMO, suit is fine even though pinstripe is business-y. nobody will notice or care about that. I do think the brown shoes don't go and are too 'daytime', so switch them to black (along with teh belt). Tie's nice, consider going with a white shirt though.

otherwise yes, a navy suit with those black shoes and belt would maybe be better.

 

[GradSchooler]

I suppose it's because it's wedding season that all the wedding "style guru's" are out enforcing the sacred, timeless, and unbreakable laws of appropriate wedding attire. Whenever I hear people quote the rules and then advise others to wear something I'd expect to see on a banker or a funeral director I always think to myself "what kind of sad, somber-ass weddings do these people go to?"

 

[bluesman528]

Originally Posted by viper24

Suit: Merdium to charcoal grey pinstripe
Shirt: Light pink
Tie: Navy with light blue diagonal pattern
Shoes: The ones pictured, or black ones?
A striped suit indeed means business but you will get away with it. Today's sartorial standards probably will allow you anything above going naked.

;-)

While it is generally possible to combine a grey suit with brown shoes, IMHO your shoes and your belt are too light-colored and too reddish-brown to go well with your suit. Besides, I think these brown Norwegians are way too informal for this situation. You will look so much better wearing this suit with a white shirt, black belt and black plain oxfords.

Most of such inquiries are made to get an affirmation that one can wear to a formal event a wild combination of anything he already has in his closet. Certainly one can physically wear it, who will object? But in most cases it won't look good. And that's the whole point. It's not about rules or restricting people. These so-called rules exist because they provide a proven look for certain social situations without any need for aesthetic experiments. Formal events should bring people together enjoying themselves in a solemn environment without them asking themselves the whole time whether their shoes look silly or not.

 

[tim_horton]

Originally Posted by Chris_AK

Really? Only dark brown?

Yes, but it's purely a personal preference, nothing to do with "Da Rules." For some reason, while I can admire shoes like those in your pic on others, I always prefer dark brown on myself. Can't really say why. Same goes with monk straps - look good on others, but I know if I had a pair in my closet I'd never wear 'em and would go with something else.

 

[Quadcammer]

I love grey with brown shoes...but.

I don't love those shoes at all, and for a wedding I'd wear black shoes with a solid suit.

If you absolutely want to wear brown shoes, find other ones, imho.

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by GradSchooler

I suppose it's because it's wedding season that all the wedding "style guru's" are out enforcing the sacred, timeless, and unbreakable laws of appropriate wedding attire. Whenever I hear people quote the rules and then advise others to wear something I'd expect to see on a banker or a funeral director I always think to myself "what kind of sad, somber-ass weddings do these people go to?"
You do know pinstripes are classic banker wear? Weddings aren't supposed to be somber that's the reason people are against things like pinstripe suits.

 

[GradSchooler]

Originally Posted by Nicola

You do know pinstripes are classic banker wear?

Weddings aren't supposed to be somber that's the reason people are against things like pinstripe suits.

I suppose that's a fair point. However, I'd argue it depends on the pinstripe in question. My father is wearing a light grey suit with subtle pink pinstripe to my sisters wedding. I certainly wouldn't describe it as a banker's suit. Take away the pin and it would be a very boring british cut banker suit suitable for meeting to discuss a mortgage. The pin gives it a celebratory quality that it would be lacking otherwise.

 

[OttoSkadelig]

i attended a wedding in a California vineyard in a beige cotton suit and everyone loved it.

it's all contextual - what's the locale and the weather, who's the crowd, and perhaps most importantly, does whatever you wear match who you are.

i think folks are overthinking this.

 

[Harrydog]

Kind of hard to see, but I don't think those shoes go well with a suit. The color is not the issue. They look like a more casual derby to me.

 

[pvrhye]

Fine for the audience, but a little too informal for the wedding party. Grey and brown are long time friends. Don't stress on that account.

 

[blahman]

Originally Posted by OttoSkadelig

i attended a wedding in a California vineyard in a beige cotton suit and everyone loved it.

it's all contextual - what's the locale and the weather, who's the crowd, and perhaps most importantly, does whatever you wear match who you are.

i think folks are overthinking this.

Over-thinking? On Style Forum? Unpossimbubble!

 

[Blurv]

I'm not sure what "too brown" means, but as long as you keep the shoes and belt pretty close you can pair just about any brown with just about any grey, as long as you like the combo.