While sneakers may reign supreme and slides make a comeback every summer, dress shoes are the ultimate investment for every man’s closet.
Formal shoes aren’t just for special occasions. The right pair of dress shoes will fit seamlessly into your evening wear rotation and work with any type of suit.
Dress shoes are the ultimate investment for every man’s closet as they can easily transition from work to leisure
Streetwear trends will come and go – but classic men’s dress shoes, including loafers and oxfords, will always reign supreme.
Menswear is following the lead of women’s fashion by transitioning from athleisure back to minimalistic but elevated trends.
Whether returning to the office or getting ready for the wedding season, you want to invest in the best men’s dress shoes.
Where should you look for men’s formal shoes? We’re sharing eight of the best men’s dress shoe brands and what to look for when shopping for formal footwear.
What to look for when buying men’s dress shoes
There are three factors you want to consider when shopping for formal shoes for men: comfort, dress code, and your personal style.
1. Comfort is Key: Choose Dress Shoes That Fit Well
Comfort is key when it comes to buying dress shoes. These shoes are ones you’ll likely be wearing all day and will need to work for a variety of social situations.
The last thing you want is dress shoes that pinch your feet. Always check if the brand offers sizing guidance before buying your chosen shoes.
Consider comfort when selecting the appropriate dress shoes for day-to-night wear
2. Navigating the World of Men’s Formal Footwear
Navigating the world of men’s formal footwear isn’t always easy. You want to consider dress codes when shopping around for dress shoes.
Consider whether you have any upcoming black-tie events and the general dress code of your workplace. You may get a better cost per wear out of a slightly more formal shoe than choosing a relaxed style.
Black men’s shoes will always look more formal, regardless of their silhouette, than lighter shades like tan or beige.
Classic black dress shoes will complement any look and match any dress code
3. Personal Style Matters: Choose Dress Shoes That Fit Your Taste
Don’t forget to consider your personal style when deciding which pair of men’s dress shoes to add to your closet.
Finding your ideal formal shoe can take a little trial and error. You might find that the loafer is your go-to or prefer the more gentlemanly feel of an Oxford shoe.
Take your time to explore different men’s dress shoe brands and styles to find your best fit.
Find your ideal fit by exploring different men’s dress shoe brands and styles
8 of the Best Men’s Shoe Brands
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when shopping for men’s formal shoes. We’re sharing eight of the best men’s shoe brands that offer high-quality materials, timeless style, and a variety of price points to suit almost every budget.
1. Cole Haan: A Classic Brand for Comfortable Men’s Formal Shoes
One of the most comfortable brands for men’s formal shoes is Cole Haan. This footwear brand is synonymous with classic silhouettes that offer style and comfort, transitioning effortlessly from season to season.
1. Cole Haan 2.Zerogrand Stitchlite Oxford, $130 at Zappos; 2. Cole Haan Wyatt Bit Driver, $130 at Zappos; 3. Cole Haan ZeroGrand Wingtip Derby, $195 at Nordstrom; 4. Cole Haan Pinch Penny Loafer, $88 to $160 on Amazon
Cole Haan has you covered for every dress code and event with timeless and contemporary trends under one roof, whether you’re looking for dress shoes inspired by your favorite sneakers or office-appropriate oxfords.
2. Retro Americana Meets Androgynous Trends in Toga Virilis Footwear
While Toga Virilis might be a Japanese brand, it has retro Americana in its DNA. This men’s footwear brand looks to the past for inspiration with footwear that takes an androgynous approach to trends.
1. Toga Virilis Metal-Bead Leather Loafer, $433 at Matches Fashion; 2. Toga Virilis Buckled Strap Loafer, $453 at Farfetch; 3. Toga Virilis Polida Fringed Leather Brogues,$363 at Matches Fashion
The fashion house was launched in 2005 by Yasuko Fururta as ‘TOGA’ and has spiraled into several diffusion lines, including the dedicated menswear line ‘Toga Virlis.’
3. Bruno Magli: The Godfather of Men’s Dress Shoes
Bruno Magli is one of the godfathers of men’s dress shoes. It’s been bringing Italian luxury to the world of men’s footwear for almost a hundred years.
Bruno Magli is a splurge-worthy option, offering some of the best men’s dress shoes on the market.
1. Bruno Magli Arno Medallion Toe Oxford, $395 at Nordstrom; 2. Bruno Magli Arezzo Loafer, $395 on Amazon; 3. Bruno Magli Riccardo Loafers, $298 at Zappos; 4. Bruno Magli Maioco Lace-Up Dress Shoes, $395 to $399.95 on Amazon
The brand has undergone a major relaunch in recent years after being acquired by Marquee Brands in 2015. Bruno Magli is an ideal option for ‘quiet luxury’ footwear.
4. Church’s: The Peak of Footwear Artisanship and Craftsmanship
Church’s is another iconic heritage men’s footwear brand launched in 1929.
This once family-owned company is now part of Prada’s conglomerate of brands and represents the peak of footwear artisanship and craftsmanship.
1. Church’s Darwin Leather Penny Loafers, $1,134 at Farfetch; 2. Church’s Shannon Leather Derby Shoes, $963 at Matches Fashion; 3. Church’s Toronto Oxford Shoes, $979 at Farfetch
These handmade English shoes are the perfect choice for men’s dress shoes that will last a lifetime and capture the quintessential elements of the British gentleman.
5. Tod’s: The King of Loafers
Few brands are as synonymous with men’s dress shoes as Tod’s. This Italian heritage footwear brand is the king of loafers.
Its signature leather and suede loafers are reminiscent of vintage driving shoes, offering the ideal ‘in-between’ shoe that works for almost any occasion.
1. Tod’s City Leather Penny Loafer, $595 at Farfetch; 2. Tod’s Leather Penny Loafer, $544 at Matches Fashion; 3. Tod’s Gommino Leather Driving Shoes, $625 at Mr. Porter
6. Crockett & Jones: The Legacy of British Luxury Footwear
Another British luxury footwear brand worth having on your radar is Crockett & Jones.
It’s one of the oldest on this list and dates to 1879. Each pair of Crocket & Jones men’s dress shoes take up to 8 weeks to make and includes complicated artisan craftsmanship that requires up to 200 different steps.
1. Crockett & Jones Sydney Leather Loafers, $520 at Matches Fashion; 2. Crockett & Jones Lace-Up Leather Derby Shoes, $612 at Farfetch; 3. Crockett & Jones Pembroke Grained-Leather Brogues, $602 at Matches Fashion
You’ll find every style of men’s formal shoes from this brand, which sits at a more competitive price point than other luxury footwear labels.
Crockett & Jones received a royal warrant in 2017 from the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.
7. Santoni: The Beauty of Italian Craftsmanship
British and Italian footwear designers dominate our list of the best men’s dress shoe brands.
Santoni is perhaps one of Italy’s most underrated shoe brands, launching in 1975 under the creative leadership of Andrea Santoni. This brand remains family-run and captures the beauty of Italian craftsmanship with a range of classic men’s dress shoes.
1. Santoni Carter Leather Monk Shoes, $880 at Farfetch; 2. Santoni Paine Penny Loafers, $650 at Zappos; 3. Santoni Damages Suede Loafers, $870 at Mr. Porter; 4. Santoni Dole Cap Toe Oxford, $1,080 at Nordstrom
Santoni has a team of 700 artisans creating luxury footwear that balances quality, tradition, and contemporary trends.
8. Salvatore Ferragamo: The Original Pioneer of Luxury Footwear
If you’re looking to splurge on men’s dress shoes from a household name, skip Gucci and Versace in favor of Salvatore Ferragamo.
The brand is one of the original pioneers of the footwear industry and became mainstream thanks to old Hollywood stars with its made-to-measure shoes.
1. Ferragamo Penny Driver Loafers, $750 at Farfetch; 2. Ferragamo Funes Suede Penny Loafers, $788 at Mr. Porter; 3. Ferragamo Lace-Up Leather Derby Shoe, $1,390 at Farfetch; 4. Ferragamo Grandioso 2 Bit Loafer, $895 at Nordstrom
Ferragamo is one of the few remaining family-owned luxury fashion houses and remains true to its Italian DNA.
The brand is angling itself toward a younger audience, making now the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the crowd and explore one of the crown jewels of Italian footwear.