Men's Formal Shoes

What makes a shoe formal

Formality in footwear follows a fairly settled logic: the closer the lacing, the smoother the leather and the slimmer the sole, the dressier the shoe. A black calf oxford sits at the top of that order. Open lacing, suede and grain leathers move a shoe down it – without taking it out of the tailored wardrobe.

Building the wardrobe

Most men need fewer formal shoes than they expect. A black oxford covers ceremony and business. A brown derby or monk strap covers most of what sits between. A third pair in burgundy is worth adding once the first two are earning their keep.