What Color Shoes With A Black Suit? (Outfit Ideas)

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The black suit remains a staple for most men, as it’s a classic choice found in almost every wardrobe. Ensuring the right shoe color is crucial to complete the look, but what color shoes with a black suit?

While the common belief is that black shoes are the default option for a black suit, there are actually alternative color choices you can consider. Let’s explore some of the best shoe color combinations that complement black suits.

What Color Shoes With A Black Suit?

The shoe colors that best complement black suits are black, grey, white, and burgundy.

Though there are various shades of black, the subtle distinctions often go unnoticed by most guys, only apparent in direct comparison. So the shade of black in your suit will make no difference regarding the shoe color you pick.

Read: What Color Tie Goes With A Black Shirt?

I’ve noticed various men pairing black suits with a wide range of shoe colors, and some others stating it’s possible without showing if they look good or not. Fashion is subjective, but I believe that certain shoe colors do not complement black costumes well. So let’s take a look at each shoe color individually and find out what color shoes go with black suits.

Black Suit With Black Shoes

Pairing black shoes with a black suit is a timeless and sophisticated choice, often preferred for its elegance and suitability in formal settings. This combination stands out as one of the most popular choices for matching shoes with black pants.

This pairing embodies professionalism, making it ideal for formal events like business meetings, job interviews, weddings, galas, or any occasion with a formal dress code. Yet, it might appear overly formal for casual events due to the association of black with formality.

You have the option to maintain a completely black ensemble by including a black shirt, tie, watch, and belt. However, to introduce a touch of contrast, consider choosing a white shirt paired with a grey or silver necktie. White shirts have always been a classic choice when matched with black pants.

Black Suit With Grey Shoes

Grey shoes not only complement grey suits well but can also be a stylish choice with a black suit. Wearing grey shoes with a black suit provides a seamless transition between formal and semi-formal occasions.

While maintaining a professional and classic aesthetic, grey shoes offer a subtle contrast to the dark tones of a black suit without being too overpowering. A lighter grey pair of shoes might not be the best choice as it creates a stark contrast that can draw excessive attention to the shoes, potentially overshadowing the rest of your outfit.

Opt for darker shades of grey shoes when pairing them with a black suit. Consider including touches of grey in other attire components like a light grey shirt, and dark grey belt, and complement the ensemble with a burgundy tie for a subtle splash of color.

Black Suit With White Shoes

While a black suit is typically formal, pairing it with white shoes can tone down the formality slightly, making it appropriate for events that are semi-formal or slightly casual. I still believe there are numerous better choices available for a casual occasion than a black suit.

Recently, the idea of wearing white sneakers with a black suit for casual occasions has been growing on me. It can craft a stylish yet relaxed look, especially when opting out of wearing a tie. For this ensemble, I’d prefer a white T-shirt over a white shirt.

The general rule is to match the belt color with the shoe color. However, wearing a white belt with this combination might be too striking and won’t complement the overall outfit. Opt for a black belt for a more cohesive look.

Black Suit With Burgundy Shoes

Wearing burgundy shoes with a black suit can offer a touch of personality and individuality to your outfit. This option isn’t widely favored, as it doesn’t resonate with everyone’s preferences, but it does have its admirers. Burgundy shoes are also a great option for burgundy suits.

Burgundy shoes can create a subtle contrast against the black suit while still maintaining a formal appearance. The burgundy shade creates a stylish combination when paired with grey slacks or navy pants, and the burgundy shoes add a unique touch when worn with black pants. Just remember to pick dark burgundy shoes with a black suit.

A black shirt pairs well with black pants and suits, but to complement your burgundy shoes, consider wearing a light pink shirt with a burgundy necktie for a less formal ensemble. To maintain sleekness and reduce contrast, opt for a black belt instead of a burgundy one, creating a more cohesive outfit.

How To Match Shoes With A Black Suit?

Choosing the right shoes to match your black suit requires consideration of color coordination, seasonal relevance, and the specific occasion.

Focus On Color

The critical aspect is to ensure that the color of your shoes complements your black suit well; it sets the tone for the overall appearance, with other elements falling into place accordingly.

It’s essential to recognize that black and grey shoes are reliable choices to pair with a black suit. In addition to these, white sneakers and burgundy dress shoes can also be considered viable options to diversify your outfit combinations.

Additionally, considering the specific occasion and seasonal context can help refine and determine the ideal shoe color to match your black suit.

Focus On Seasonability

Shoe color choices aren’t restricted by seasons, with darker shades like black and grey often complementing winter fashion, while white tends to resonate more with summer styles.

Focus On Occasion

Pairing black suits with different shoe colors allows for versatility in different settings. Black shoes provide a classic and formal look, grey shoes offer a professional vibe, burgundy shoes can create a sophisticated business-casual appearance, and white sneakers bring a relaxed and casual style.

Common Questions

Can I Wear Brown Shoes With A Black Suit?

In my opinion, pairing brown shoes with a black suit might not be the best choice as these colors often don’t complement each other well (with rare exceptions). Fashion, though, is subjective, and some argue that they can be paired together.

Can I Wear Navy Shoes With A Black Suit?

I typically avoid pairing navy shoes with a black suit or black shoes with a navy suit as I find this combination less visually appealing. However, you might want to experiment and see what suits your preferences. From my perspective, opting for black or grey shoes could be a better choice in this scenario.