Suit up: how to choose shoes to match your suit

If people cannot tell by the way you walk what type of man you are, it might be time to invest in some new shoes.

Your shoes can make or break an outfit, and can have an impact on how other people perceive you.

You might have scoured jewellery stores for the perfect cufflinks, and gone to different Computicket stores to be up-to-date with the latest concerts, but if you wear the wrong shoes with your suit, your good first impression will be lost.

You will find many diverse shoe stores in Cape Town offering new and exciting shoes for you to choose from. Be sure to bring your suit with you so that you can choose a pair that will both flatter and complement it. This way you will not choose shoes that will ruin your aesthetic but that will transform an outfit. But, where do you start? By following the advice below, of course.

Think about where you are going

One of the first steps in choosing the perfect shoes to match your suit is to think about where you will be going in your outfit. For example, a pair of sneakers will look out-of-place at a semi-formal wedding, and the same can be said about wearing smart leather shoes with chinos to a casual event.

You can follow some simple tips and tricks depending on the event you will be attending or the venue you will be going to. For a smart event or for work, you should opt for black leather, closed-lace Oxfords or boots. A work suit is best paired with black or chocolate brown wing-tips and for a more casual atmosphere, suede loafers are the ideal choice. Brightly coloured shoes are best left for events, not the office.

Consider the colour of your suit

The colour of your suit is important when looking for shoes that match it and tie your outfit together. If you wore a black suit with brown loafers, you would be ruining a formal look, just as wearing burgundy shoes with a brown suit would look mismatched. Think about what colour shoe will best match your suit before you make a purchase.

A navy suit can be worn with a black, brown or oxblood shoe because these complement the deep blue hue. Black suits should always be paired with a black shoe, but dark burgundy or oxblood is also suitable. Black, brown or charcoal shoes pair perfectly with a light or dark grey suit and brown suits should always be paired with a brown shoe in a shade darker than the material.

Watch the weather

The weather can have an effect on the type of shoes you are able to wear to an event or even to work. For example, a pair of drivers is ideal for spring but might not keep your feet very warm in the colder months. Similarly, boots are not always comfortable to wear in the heat of summer if you are in an office all day.

Loafers, drivers and closed-lace Oxfords are perfect shoes for spring, summer and even the first chilly winds of autumn. If you are going to be attending a winter event, then boots or laced shoes with a high ankle are the best choices. You should choose a suit made from fabric that is right for the weather, such as linen and cotton for summer and spring matched with light coloured shoes. And for winter, try a dark suit made from thick fabric paired with black or brown shoes.

Always think of accessories

Your accessories can also be used to decide on the shoe that you wear, especially the colour that they are. You should always try to match your belt and watch band to the colour and texture of your shoes so that your suit looks and feels pulled together.

Accessories can help to enhance your outfit, so choose them carefully. And remember to wear socks that match the colour of your suit and not to your shoes to create a seamless look. And, if you wear a black leather jacket with charcoal chinos, your shoes should also be black to match the jacket. Oxblood and burgundy shoes might be difficult to match to accessories, but can easily be paired with black or chocolate brown options.

Shoes should always be shiny

One vital thing to remember is that your patent leather or leather shoes should always be treated and should be shiny for any occasion. Look for a leather cream that is transparent so that you can use it on any colour, to ensure they last for longer and always look their best.

To choose the perfect shoes to match your suit, think about where you are going, what the weather is like and consider the colour of your suit. Always try to match accessories to have a pulled-together and elegant outfit.