You might be a sneaker or an ugly sandals kind of guy on most days, but there are times when you just need to whip out a pair of fancier, comfortable dress shoes. As you start adulting, those ‘formal’ events will present themselves more frequently. And inevitably, all of your friends will start sending wedding invitations, or you’ll have endless rounds of interviews to attend.
Whatever your case may be, it’s never too late to invest in a pair of dapper brown dress shoes and have them handy for your upcoming occasions. The best brown dress shoes for men will never fail to impress, and let us tell you—they’re much more versatile than you think.
The key is to pick a pair of dress shoes with the right material, color, silhouette, and craftsmanship. But with the plethora of options available in stores and online, it’s no easy task. To help you make a confident and informed decision, we’ve done the research and picked out the best men’s brown dress shoes you can buy right now.
If selling more than two million pairs since 1982 isn’t proof enough, then we don’t know what is. At a fair price point, Allen Edmonds’ Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford is hands down, the best overall men’s brown dress shoe for the everyday guy.
The versatility is what makes these Oxfords a worthy investment. Whether you’re a Wall Street banker dressing up in suits daily or a casual guy in need of a pair of dress shoes for special occasions, these brown Oxfords will work seamlessly for you. They offer several shades of brown (they’re all equally good), but if you ask us, go for their yummiest color, ‘Coffee Brown.’
Allen Edmonds’ reputation for high craftsmanship and premium materials is unmatched. Trust us—even the Italians are raving about them.
You might be used to your black dress shoes and find brown ones to be a tad intimidating. So we suggest starting off with a darker tone. Myrqvist’s Äppelviken Calf Oxfords are the perfect shade of dark brown to lighten up the mood while staying close to your comfort zone.
Myrqvist’s calfskin leather is from the Hermes-owned (yes, ‘the’ Hermes) Tannery du Puy in France, and this says it all—top quality is guaranteed. Since these are in such a deep shade of brown, they’ll go well with most suits, just like your favorite black ones.
Not all dress shoes have to be serious. If you’re a laid-back or rebellious guy, check out Dr. Martens’ Crazy Horse Leather Oxford Shoes for the best casual option.
You might’ve owned a pair of these at some point in your life or at least have seen them before. These classic Oxford shoes have been the go-to casual dress shoe of choice for many men for decades. And we’re pleased to tell you they just got an upgrade of a brand new leather material that’s durable and comfortable.
The Crazy Horse leather has an antique appearance which instantly adds a splash of character to any outfit. Plus, they’re water-resistant, so splash away literally, too. Prepare your feet (and mind) to break these in ASAP—you’ll want to wear them every day.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: 6 – 14 | Style: Oxford
Do you live in your sneakers all day, every day, because you just can’t give up comfort? We get it. If this is you, Cole Haan’s OriginalGrand Wingtip Oxfords are here to break the stereotype of uncomfortable and painful dress shoes.
Cole Haan first came out with these sneaker-dress shoe hybrids over a decade ago. And they truly filled a gap in the market for comfortable dress shoes. The brown Oxford leather upper and cushioned sole has a sophisticated look while still feeling as comfy as your go-to sneakers.
To get the most versatility out of these hybrid dress shoes, rock these day-to-night. They’ll keep you looking fresh from the office to the bar.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: 7 -16 | Style: Oxford
Calling all vintage lovers. If you love a good old rustic vibe, Steve Madden’s Bannon dress shoes are a solid choice to give you an aged yet sophisticated feel. The cognac leather will instantly add a dash of character to your formal outfits.
Made with soft calf leather, these Oxfords mold comfortably to your feet and age beautifully. Don’t mind a few scuffs and scratches—these leather dress shoes will only turn into a gorgeous vintage piece over time.
The burnt brown shade can feel a bit tricky to style, though. Try pairing these with darker suits like black, navy, or charcoal to let your dress shoes receive all the spotlight.
Material: Calfskin Leather | Sizes Available: 6 – 15 | Style: Oxford
Italian leather is known to be the best in the world, which is a whole other topic we can discuss later. If you have the resources to make a worthy investment, why not go for the best of the best? We’re talking about Berluti.
Berluti is a prestigious leather brand, making premium leather goods since 1895. Their footwear especially is one of the ‘OG’ products they started with. That being said, their dress shoes are unbeatable in all aspects—material, craftsmanship, and style.
We can rave about the sharp design all day long, but what we love most is the signature Venezia leather that gains a beautiful patina over time. Like your vintage bottle of wine, these brown leather dress shoes will only get cooler as they age with you.
Material: Calfskin Leather | Sizes Available: UK 7 – 12 | Style: Oxford
The best way to achieve a low-key baller look is to opt for suede dress shoes like these Oxfords by Yearn Shoemaker. Compared to their leather counterparts, suede gives off a much more luxurious and deluxe feel. Who doesn’t want that?
A leader in the current movement of upscale Chinese footwear is Yearn Shoemaker. Crafted from the finest materials, each shoe offers exceptional value for the money thanks to its superior construction and embellishment of luxury details.
These Oxford dress shoes are made to order in Chengdu, so expect them to take some time (4 to 5 weeks). But we promise you—it’ll be worth the wait.
Material: Suede | Sizes Available: 7 – 13 | Style: Oxford
Do you feel like you’ll only wear men’s brown dress shoes once or twice a year for special occasions? For those of you still on the fence, we recommend this affordable option from Bruno Marc.
You’re getting the best
Style these brown shoes with a navy suit for your next event or date. Get ready for this reliable and flawless look to win you compliments. You can thank us later.
Material: Synthetic Leather | Sizes Available: 6.5 – 15 | Style: Oxford
If Oxfords are like the serious and intelligent older brother that crushes all his job interviews, Derbies are his younger brother who aces all his exams but also knows how to party. These are the best brown dress shoes for those who work hard and play harder.
With the classic single-piece design, rounded toes, and hand-stitched leather soles, these Derbies are formal enough for the office and casual enough for the bar. We can’t take our eyes off the chunkier sole that instantly adds a more fashionable and laid-back vibe. The slight height boost is just an added bonus.
Style them with any of your suits for dressier occasions or with jeans or trousers for everyday, casual wear. You’re getting elegance and practicality in one.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: UK 5 – 13 | Style: Derby
If you’re a super casual guy who doesn’t find himself dressing formally too often, why don’t you test out these drivers from
Oliver Cabell’s minimal and well-crafted footwear has become a wardrobe essential for modern men. The soft-toned chocolate pebbled calfskin leather is good for year-round wear, and the micro foam footbed provides additional comfort (many reviewers are raving about it).
Add these brown drivers to your capsule shoe collection next to your favorite sneakers. They go well with more outfits than you think—pair them with slim jeans or even shorts for an effortless look.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: 6 – 15 | Style: Driver
It’s no surprise Tod’s made it to our round-up of best men’s dress shoes. We fell in love at first sight when we spotted these dark brown wing-tip lace-ups—the perfect grown-up dress shoes.
Wing-tips can often remind you of your grandpa’s shoes, but if done right, they’ll be the most sophisticated piece in your closet. With the English-style wing-tip perforations and a deep chocolate brown shade, there is no room for error with these dress shoes. They’ll instantly make you feel like a British gentleman.
The rubber outsole with the signature embossed rubber pebbles ensures additional comfort. ’If you know, you know.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: 6 – 14 | Style: Derby
Whether you’re looking to expand your dress shoes collection or you need something for the colder seasons, a pair of brown boots should be next on your shopping list. Velasca’s Chelsea Boots are an amazing choice that’ll keep you looking stylish while offering the utmost versatility.
With the rich brown suede and minimal design, these Chelsea boots will style wonderfully with most things in your closet. Wear them with your navy suit for events or even with jeans and a neutral sweater for a hot guy autumn look.
When everyone else at the party is wearing their Oxfords, you can flaunt your Chelseas—with something a little different, you’ll be radiating main character energy.
Material: Suede Calfskin Leather | Sizes Available: 5 – 14 | Style: Chelsea Boots
If your shoe rack is already stocked with Oxfords or Derbies, you might want to switch things up with these monk-strap dress shoes by John Lobb. You won’t regret adding this refined and unique gem to your formal footwear rotation.
John Lobb has been making the finest men’s dress shoes since 1849, and they’re hand-crafted with 190 steps for incomparable quality. The double buckle straps are the star of the show, making these a sartorial classic that’ll never seem dated. If laces aren’t your thing, it’s time to consider buckles.
No designer does monk-straps better than John Lobb—handle these with care, and they’ll truly last a lifetime.
Material: Leather | Sizes Available: UK 5 – 12 | Style: Monk-strap
You might be going through this list thinking Oxfords and lace-ups are too boring for you. Don’t you worry—we now present the Brockton Belgian Slippers by Crown Northampton.
As the best non-cliche option to surprise your peers, these brown slippers are a fashionista’s dream. Made with premium suede and leather trims and soles, these unique dress shoes are destined to make you feel like a royal majesty. It’s also a huge plus that they look great casually with a pair of jeans or chinos.
Pair these brown suede slippers with a tonal checkered or herringbone suit, and you’ll be winning the crown of best-dressed at the party. You might as well start preparing your speech now.
Material: Kudu Suede & Leather | Sizes Available: UK 3 – 13 | Style: Slipper
What To Look For When Searching For The Best Brown Dress Shoes
Material
Most dress shoes for men come in leather, but it’s important to consider the various options. The most common material is leather or calfskin leather, which is the most durable, classic, and versatile. Suede is slightly less practical as it’s not water-resistant and demands more care, but it does give off a more sophisticated and luxurious feel. For the most affordable and functional option, consider faux leather materials.
Style
When it comes down to deciding on the style of your dress shoes, it’s mainly a matter of preference. There are several different styles of men’s dress shoes; Oxford, derby, wing-tip, and monk-strap are the most common. Oxfords are the most formal and go well with most suits—the safest choice for formal occasions. Other styles like Derbies are formal as well, but they can also be dressed down for a more casual outfit.
Shade of brown
Carefully consider the shade of brown when shopping for dress shoes because not all brown is the same. Darker browns are the most versatile as they can easily replace black dress shoes and go well with most outfits. Medium browns are safe to style with darker suits like navy, charcoal, or dark brown. Lighter or yellower shades of brown are a bit harder to style but can be extremely stylish with the right outfit.
FAQ
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It’s best to wear brown dress shoes with darker-toned suits like black, navy, or charcoal. You can also style more casual brown dress shoes with jeans, chinos, or even shorts for everyday wear.
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We recommend wearing socks similar to the shade of your brown dress shoes. This will blend the look of your shoes seamlessly with the rest of your outfit.
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For the most versatility, go for a darker brown dress shoe. If you want something more fashionable and unique, a lighter shade of brown will get you the trendy look.
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