Looking for formal shoes to wear with a tuxedo? Here’s a list of 15 great options.
It’s a shame formal events are few and far between these days. Everyone needs an excuse for formal occasions. Keep in mind that even as fashion gets more casual, tuxedos remain strictly formal. Fancying itself as the last stand for high-formal dress, there is no room for casual elements regarding black-tie attire. While you should always pair your tuxedo with dress shoes, there is formal footwear you can wear with a tux and without.
This is good news if you don’t frequent the black-tie event circuit. We’ve compiled a list of great shoes to wear with a tuxedo. Even more, we’ll cover what tuxedo shoes are, what they’re not, and some great options at various price points. You’d be surprised at how much a pair of tuxedo-appropriate shoes can accommodate different styles.
Not Sure What Shoes To Wear With a Tuxedo? Here Are a Few Safe Style Bets
Tuxedo shoes are, well, what one might expect to wear with a tuxedo. But, with trends shifting and casualwear as formalwear becoming more mainstream, what’s acceptable? Unless you’re making some kind of social commentary or are on the red carpet of the MTV Awards, only black leather shoes are traditionally acceptable with tuxedos. Personally, I’ve seen successful pairings of gray leather dress shoes with blue tuxedos. However, it’s a risky balance and one that won’t work for every formal occasion.
So, what dress shoes should you pair with a tuxedo? Tuxedo shoes generally fall into two categories: slip-ons and lace-ups. Let’s start there.
Slip-On Shoes for a Tuxedo
A classic tuxedo shoe won’t have laces. It’s actually more akin to a slipper than a true loafer. It will be quite thin and have minimal structure. You probably won’t be running in them unless you’re Prince Charming or James Bond. Classic shoes also have low heels and low vamp. The heel is usually stacked wood, but it might be rubberized. The vamp may be plain without ornamentation. An opera pump, one of the most formal varieties of shoes to wear with a tuxedo, will have a satin grosgrain bow. A Belgian slipper is also a fine choice for a tuxedo.
Lace-Ups for a Tuxedo
While ‘creative black tie’ is a thing, a black cap-toe Oxford will never go out of style. Whether you go shiny or matte is up to you; both are sartorially correct. However, matte is probably best if you’re looking for maximum versatility outside of formalwear. Also, avoid wearing shoes with ornamentation outside of a simple cap toe. Less is very much more when it comes to formalwear.
Can you wear derby or blucher shoes with a tuxedo? While, again, less is more, you can pair these styles with a tux under a few conditions. First, consider shoes made of patent leather to make them more formal. Next, ensure there’s no other ornamentation on the shoes. Third, look for shoes with a short vamp and a longer, elegant toe box. Finally, ensure the heel and sole are minimal- no stacking!
The Best Tuxedo Shoes: Nine Brands To Consider
It’s an excellent time to be a menswear enthusiast. Brands of all kinds offer shoes at price points ranging from accessible to aspirational. Just remember that there is an aspect of conformity regarding formal dress codes. Black tie isn’t the time to try and stand out with something flashy. Instead, focus on the fit of your tux and the quality of your clothing. Although, picking the perfect pair of shoes helps with the cohesiveness of your ensemble.
Here are a few of the best brands that offer shoes to wear with a tuxedo and other formal attire.
1. Florsheim
Florsheim is an entry-level brand, so many never leave. It’s easy to forget they’ve competed with higher-priced makers like Allen Edmonds for decades. The quality has suffered a little recently, likely because they build their shoes on a budget. However, the styling is good as they’ve inherited a lot of classic, tried-and-true designs. If you don’t wear formal shoes often and just need something to make it through a few events with, these plain-toe oxfords are more than serviceable.
2. Cole Haan
Cole Haan is another ‘heritage’ maker with a story to tell. Nike purchased Cole Haan to get into the luxury footwear game, and the collaboration changed how many think about formal footwear. Today, styling across the brand can get a little ridiculous.
We’d suggest avoiding dress shoes/sneaker hybrids at any event, not only those requiring shoes with a tuxedo. But if you look around, you’ll find a pair of black cap-toe Oxfords that will work perfectly and be very comfortable. There’s enough shine to go with a tuxedo, but not so much that you can’t wear them with a business formal attire.
3. Beckett Simonon Dean Oxford
Beckett Simonon makes some of the best-value shoes in the game. Hands down. Their Dean Oxford is a great choice for business wear and you can wear them with a tuxedo, jeans, or chinos. Let’s not forget you can also dress them up with a tuxedo.
Their black model shines with carnauba wax, but not so much it’s office-inappropriate. They’re made from full-grain leather and feature a classic style with a slim shape and wood-like detailing on the outsole. They operate on a direct-to-consumer and made-to-order model. Shipping takes about six weeks, so bear that in mind.
4. Allen Edmonds Park Avenue
A bona fide classic, the Park Avenue from Allen Edmonds might just be ‘the’ American dress shoe. The shorter toe cap is perhaps a little more sleek than European models, but it will never go out of style.
You should choose black if you’d like to wear them with a tuxedo. They’ll be less shiny than the Cole Haan, which makes them perhaps even more versatile. And, unlike the Cole Haan, the Goodyear welt means you can have them resoled. You’ll have these, literally, for life. But if you would like a little shine, the Allen Edmonds Carlyle is suitable for a tuxedo, too.
5. Suitsupply
Let’s move from the American classic to something a little more sleek and European. The Dutch fashion house Suitsupply is known for suiting and providing world-class fabrics at surprisingly reasonable prices. The shoes are also quite good for the price.
Their tuxedo shoe uses Italian calfskin, a strong but more finely-grained leather than typical bovine hides. The shoe is Blake-stitched rather than welted, which makes for an ultra-low, modern profile. The ultra-high vamp helps the shoe conform to the foot, reinforcing the streamlined look.
6. Belgian Shoes
Henri Bendel (the nephew of the homonymous M. Henri Bendel and the first importer of Coco Chanel to the US) invented this shoe in the mid-1950s. The light, comfortable slipper appealed to the leisure classes of New York City’s Upper East Side. While one probably could get away with wearing a Mr. Casual with a tuxedo, the Henri is the one to get. It’s slightly elongated and even more elegant, especially in patent leather. It’s a genuine luxury item, to be sure.
7. Baudoin & Lange
Baudoin & Lange is a newcomer to the luxury loafer but not luxury footwear space. Created in 2016 by bespoke shoemaker Allan Baudoin, these are light, flexible, and streamlined. As a nod to the bespoke craft, three little nails sit on the heel of each shoe. Most of these classic plain loafers don’t have a bow, but the quilted lining is fanatically comfortable and plenty luxurious.
8. Paul Stuart
Ultra-sleek and elegant, an opera pump is the way to go for the most formal occasions. Sadly, they’re hard to find these days. The fine folks at Paul Stuart solved that problem. Their Heron model is excellent for this sort of thing.
It’s a well-balanced shoe. The toe box is generous, providing room for the wearer’s toes, but it’s sleek enough to understand the assignment. Patent leather with the suede cross strap would be the most ‘correct’ option, but any option on the website will work. The MSRP is rather high, but watch for the occasional sale.
9. Amberjack
As I mentioned earlier, I typically recommend staying away from hybrid shoes when wearing a tuxedo and maybe for formal events in general. However, Amberjack changed the game. The Tux is their most formal model, sleek and incredibly comfortable.
If you’re going to a formal event that requires you to stand or walk around a lot, this is hands-down the best shoe for you. I like to call it the perfect “best man” shoe. Think about it: if you’re your buddy’s best man at his wedding, you’ll likely get roped into several physical activities and errands.
The leather is exquisitely mirror-polished, and the Obsidian variation’s comfort outsole is entirely inconspicuous. Still, with its white-streaked outsole, the Onyx variation has tons of cool factor.
FAQs Regarding Black Tuxedo Shoes
Deciphering the correct shoe attire for black tie events can cause confusion, but we’re here to help. Here are the most common questions about tuxedo shoes.
What Socks Should You Wear With Tuxedos?
Thin dress socks strictly. You can go for dark navy if you have a navy tuxedo, but otherwise, this is a set standard. Try to find dress socks that come above the calf to avoid all possibility of showing off your leg hair when you sit down.
Can You Wear Loafers With Tuxedos?
Absolutely. Simple, dressy loafers go beautifully with a tuxedo. Some examples include Venetians, slippers, and opera pumps.
Can You Wear Brown Shoes With Tuxedos?
Maybe. You can pull off dark brown, simple, highly-refined leather shoes with a gray or navy tuxedo, but black is always the best and safest way to go.
Do You Have To Wear Shiny Shoes With a Tuxedo?
Nope. Suede or velvet shoes are fine and add elegance to your ensemble. Matte Oxfords work really well, too.
Can I Wear Sneakers With a Tuxedo?
No,
Can I Wear Wingtips With a Tuxedo?
No, for black-tie events, less is more. Decorative broguing (like a wingtip) makes the shoe more casual, which defeats the purpose of a formal garment.
When in Doubt, Wear Dress Shoes to Formal Occasions
Even with the strict tuxedo code, there are acceptable ways to subtly express your style. For example, the Gucci Horsebit is the epitome of resort casual. You can wear them with a tuxedo, and they are high-gloss and 100% tonal, including the horse-bit hardware. Even though they aren’t traditional, they are a perfectly appropriate option.
It does seem, though, that the further you want to stray from the simple, traditional tuxedo shoe, the more you’ll end up paying for in quality. Don’t push the rules with cheaply made shoes.
After all, it’s important to be respectful to your guests and hosts, especially when there’s a formal dress code.
What shoes do you wear with a tuxedo? Let us know in the comments below.
