The Ultimate Guide To Dress Shoes: Different Types Of Dress Shoes & How To Wear Them

When you buy dress shoes made of high-quality leather, which are kind of expensive, you buy less, but you buy better. If you invest in the right pair and with little routine care from your side, they are sure to last for decades. Dress shoes are a pair of shoes that offers you luxury with utmost comfort. People generally prefer to wear it for a smart casual look or formal look.

Different Types Of Dress Shoes

There are different types of dress shoes, and each comes with its unique beauty. Whichever style you choose, remember to always go for a pair of shoes that provides appropriate fit, comfort, a better design that suits you, and focus on the quality of the material so that it will last forever.

The Oxford

Oxford shoes are an elegant pair of men’s traditional dress shoes. They have a distinctive design, where it features a closed lacing system concealed within the vamp. Oxfords are the most popular form of a classic formal dress shoe. You can find various types of oxford models, and they are listed in detail below.

Oxford With Brogue: Broguing refers to unique and beautiful decorative perforations. Borgue designs include three different forms.

• Full Brogues (Wingtip): The full brogues feature a pointed toe cap and have a stitching pattern that resembles the shape of a bird’s wing. Full brogues are also known as a wingtip style. The edges and the toe cap of a full brogue are perforated, and it also includes decorative perforations in the center of the toe cap. The Oxford with wingtip or full brogue is an ideal choice to add excitement to your smart-casual look.
• Semi-Brogues Or Half Brogues: The semi brogue is identified by a toe cap with decorative perforations and serrations. The decorative punched detailing extends the toe cap edges and also in the center of the toe cap. Half or semi brogues were first designed by John Lobb Ltd in 1937, with an intention to offer its customers a more stylish pair of shoes than a plain oxford that is more suited for formal or semi-formal occasions but less bold as a full brogue.
• Quarter Brogues: The quarter brogue, identified by its straight toe cap with no decorative perforation in the middle of the toe cap. In quarter brogue style, only the cap’s edge features decorative punch detailing; thus, it is more formal than full brogue and semi-brogue. The quarter brogue is an ideal choice for business and formal occasions.

Whole Cut Oxford: Whole cut oxford shoes are made from a single piece of leather, which makes them expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment. Most of the dress shoes are made from several pieces of leather, which are sewn together to get a finished product. Whereas, there are no extra pieces in the whole cut Oxford shoes, which means there is no vamp or any quarter. They are exquisitely crafted and have a refined style, which offers the wearer a more luxurious feel and an attractive appearance. These shoes have a narrow shape with a smooth surface and clean lines that reflect pure royalty.

How To Wear Oxford Shoes?

Oxford is a timeless pair of leather shoes that are easy to style. It has become essential for those who like to have a minimalist approach towards the way they dress up.

The black and brown are a classic choice so, pair it with dark brown, blue, and grey pants. This style will create a striking effect and will offer you a distinctive appeal. 

• The quarter brogue style, best suited with business suits and a tuxedo.
• Oxford shoes are known as formal shoes, but it does not mean that you cannot pair them with jeans. To get a smart casual look, pair full brogue brown oxford shoes with blue jeans or chinos to achieve the desired aesthetic look.

The Derby

Derby is like Oxford but with little difference in style. They can be identified by their open lacing system in which the edges of the eyelets are stitched across the top of the quarter. These shoes are constructed with three specific pieces – a vamp with the tongue and two quarters. Derby shoes feature elongated or rounded toes. Derby shoes may or may not feature a brogue pattern. Oxford shoes are more formal, and Derby shoes are more casual.

How To Wear Derby Shoes?

You can easily dress up derby shoes; all you need to do is select a pair of shoes that appears more polished like, Handmade Black Derby Leather Shoes. Now pair it with dark brown, grey, or cream color chinos. Now wear something comfortable on the top such as a full sleeves T-shirt or shirt. This overall look is more casual and best suited for a casual meet-up with your friends and family. The look is comfortable yet stylish.

The Loafer

The loafer is the most versatile type of footwear, which will look great with almost every outfit. They are commonly known as slip-on shoes, which are comfortable and stylish. The loafers are laceless shoes, which can be dressed as formal as well as casual.

How To Wear A Loafer?

For a stylish casual look, pair a brown loafer with slim-fit blue jeans and a sweatshirt. This look will instantly shift your tired look into a more transformed and more polished look.

Pick up good-fitting chinos in beige and pair them with a tan brown loafer without socks. Wear a white shirt on the top. If you want you can wear a leather jacket to enhance your style. This is a perfect semi-formal look, which is stylish and comfortable.

The Monk Strap

Monk strap is dress shoes that do not feature a traditional lacing system; it has replaced the laces with a buckle. It comes in two styles – a single monk strap and a double monk strap. For a formal occasion, you should opt for a good pair of single buckle monks. If you want to attend a party or a wedding, you should wear double buckle monks as they are stylish and elegant.

The Dress Boots

The dress boots are men’s short leather boots. It is built like Oxford shoes, but it features a longer shaft that covers the ankles. You can wear your dress boots with jeans and also with slim-fitting chinos.