Style Guide: How to Match Colors for Suits & Shoes

The Fashionisto

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Published October 9, 2014

Burberry-Prorsum-Fall-Winter-2014-Campaign-SuitingPin
Models Callum Ball and Tarun Nijjer for Burberry Fall/Winter 2014 Campaign

What shoe color goes with a blue suit? If you find yourself asking this question in some fashion, we have a simple style guide for you. Bringing together men’s designer suits and luxury footwear from Mr Porter, we lay out a standard guide to matching colors for suiting and footwear. Once you have these basics down, it’s time to have a little more fun with your wardrobe. And for a final takeaway to keep in mind? Two pairs of shoes, one in brown and one in black will get you far.

Band of Outsiders Houndstooth SuitPin
Band of Outsiders Houndstooth Suit

What Color of Shoes go with a Light Gray Suit? For your light gray suits, you can go with a light brown leather (think of the warmer hues) or a traditional and easy black shoe.

Charles Leather Oxford BroguesPin
Charles Leather Oxford Brogues
Richard James Blue SuitPin
Richard James Blue Suit

What Color of Shoes go with a Blue Suit? Although a black shoe may work, why not embrace a classic color combination by pairing your stunning blue suit with a pair of brown leather dress shoes. You want to aim for a brown that is more medium than it is warm.

Grenson Stanley Leather Wingtip BroguesPin
Grenson Stanley Leather Wingtip Brogues
Kilgour Navy Wool SuitPin
Kilgour Navy Wool Suit

What Color of Shoes go with a Blue Suit? A classic navy suit works great with a pair of black dress shoes or their dark brown leather counterpart.

Dundee Pebble Grain Derby ShoesPin
Dundee Pebble Grain Derby Shoes
Saint Laurent SuitPin
Saint Laurent Suit

What Color of Shoes go with a Gray Charcoal Suit? As always, you can play it safe with a smart pair of black shoes, but charcoal is also forgiving enough to mix it up with a dark brown shoe option as pictured with the blue suit above.

Dolce & Gabbana Leather Oxford ShoesPin
Dolce & Gabbana Leather Oxford Shoes
Paul Smith Slim-Fit Black SuitPin
Paul Smith Slim-Fit Black Suit

What Color of Shoes go with a Black Suit? With a standard black suit, the footwear style options are limitless but a great start is the traditional black, a dark brown or a fun play on colors like Tod’s dark red and black brogues as pictured below.

Tod's Leather BroguesPin
Tod’s Leather Brogues

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