A good pair of dress shoes earns its place in a man’s wardrobe by doing more than completing a suit. Oxfords, Derbies, and loafers can move between work, weddings, evening events, and more relaxed outfits depending on the style and how you wear them.
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The difference often comes down to silhouette and styling. A black Oxford remains one of the more formal choices, while penny, tassel, and horsebit loafers can work just as naturally with tailored trousers, a suit, or denim.
Brown leather lace-ups with cuffed denim and black penny loafers with tailored trousers show how classic men’s dress shoes can move beyond formalwear into polished everyday outfits
Loafers are particularly useful when the dress code sits somewhere between casual and formal. Chris Evans paired black tassel loafers with a navy suit at the Los Angeles premiere of The Gray Man, while Ryan Gosling wore Gucci horsebit loafers with tailoring during the film’s press tour. These looks show why loafers occupy such a useful middle ground: polished enough for tailoring, but less formal than a traditional lace-up.
Choosing the right pair starts with where you plan to wear them. A shoe intended for black-tie events has different demands than an everyday loafer, and comfort, construction, color, and personal style all affect how versatile a pair will be.
Below, we break down what to look for when shopping for men’s formal footwear, from getting the right fit to choosing a style for the dress code, before looking at eight dress-shoe brands spanning contemporary everyday options, traditional British shoemaking, and Italian luxury.
How to Choose Men’s Dress Shoes: Fit, Dress Code, and Personal Style
Consider three factors when shopping for men’s formal shoes: comfort, dress code, and personal style.
1. Comfort is Key: Choose Dress Shoes That Fit Well
Comfort is key when buying dress shoes. You’ll likely wear these shoes all day, so they need to work for a variety of social situations.
The last thing you want is dress shoes that pinch your feet. Always check if the brand offers sizing guidance before buying your chosen shoes.
Dark brown leather horsebit loafers add a refined finish to relaxed straight-leg jeans, illustrating how traditional dress shoes can work with casual menswear
2. Navigating the World of Men’s Formal Footwear
Navigating the world of men’s formal footwear isn’t always easy. Consider dress codes when shopping for dress shoes.
Consider any upcoming black-tie events and your workplace’s general dress code. You may get better cost per wear from a slightly more formal shoe than from a relaxed style.
Black men’s shoes will always look more formal, regardless of their silhouette, than lighter shades like tan or beige.
From black loafers and sleek lace-up Oxfords to contemporary ankle boots, men’s dress shoes can be styled across formal, business, and smart-casual wardrobes
3. Personal Style Matters: Choose Dress Shoes That Fit Your Taste
Don’t forget to consider your personal style when deciding which pair of men’s dress shoes to add to your closet.
Finding your ideal formal shoe can take a little trial and error. You might find that the loafer is your go-to, or you may prefer the more gentlemanly feel of an Oxford shoe.
Take your time to explore different men’s dress shoe brands and styles to find your best fit.
Classic leather loafers, streamlined Oxfords, and modern boots demonstrate how the right footwear can shift an outfit from traditional tailoring to more relaxed denim
8 Men’s Dress Shoe Brands for Loafers, Oxfords, Derbies, and More
Shopping for men’s formal shoes can feel overwhelming. We’re sharing eight of the best men’s shoe brands that offer high-quality materials, timeless style, and a variety of price points to suit almost every budget.
1. Cole Haan: Comfortable Dress Shoes With a Modern Edge
Cole Haan is one of the most comfortable brands for men’s formal shoes. This footwear brand is synonymous with classic silhouettes that offer style and comfort, transitioning effortlessly from season to season.
1. Cole Haan 2.ZERØGRAND Stitchlite Oxford; 2. Wyatt Bit Driver; 3. ZERØGRAND Wingtip Derby; 4. Pinch Penny Loafer — four takes on men’s footwear ranging from sneaker-inspired Oxfords to classic loafers
Cole Haan has you covered for every dress code and event with timeless and contemporary trends under one roof, whether you’re looking for dress shoes inspired by your favorite sneakers or office-appropriate oxfords.
2. Toga Virilis: Statement Loafers and Brogues With Metal Hardware
While Toga Virilis might be a Japanese brand, it has retro Americana in its DNA. This men’s footwear brand looks to the past for inspiration with footwear that takes an androgynous approach to trends.
1. Toga Virilis Metal-Bead Leather Loafer; 2. Buckled Strap Loafer; 3. Polida Fringed Leather Brogues — traditional dress-shoe silhouettes reworked with the Japanese label’s distinctive metal hardware
The fashion house was launched in 2005 by Yasuko Furuta as ‘TOGA’ and has spiraled into several diffusion lines, including the dedicated menswear line ‘Toga Virilis.’
3. Bruno Magli: Italian Leather Loafers, Oxfords, and Dress Shoes
Bruno Magli is one of the godfathers of men’s dress shoes. It’s brought Italian luxury to men’s footwear for almost a hundred years.
Bruno Magli is a splurge-worthy option, offering some of the best men’s dress shoes on the market.
1. Bruno Magli Arno Medallion Toe Oxford; 2. Arezzo Loafer; 3. Riccardo Loafer; 4. Maioco Lace-Up Dress Shoe — polished Italian options spanning Oxfords, loafers, and lace-ups
The brand has undergone a major relaunch in recent years after Marquee Brands acquired it in 2015. Bruno Magli is an ideal option for ‘quiet luxury’ footwear.
4. Church’s: Traditional British Loafers, Derbies, and Oxfords
Church’s is another iconic heritage men’s footwear brand launched in 1873.
This once family-owned company is now part of Prada’s conglomerate of brands and represents the peak of footwear artisanship and craftsmanship.
1. Church’s Darwin Leather Penny Loafer; 2. Shannon Leather Derby; 3. Toronto Oxford — three classic examples of the British shoemaker’s leather dress shoes
These handmade English shoes are the perfect choice for men’s dress shoes that will last a lifetime and capture the quintessential elements of the British gentleman.
5. Tod’s: Italian Loafers and Signature Gommino Driving Shoes
Few brands are as synonymous with men’s dress shoes as Tod’s. This Italian heritage footwear brand is the king of loafers.
Its signature leather and suede loafers evoke vintage driving shoes, offering the ideal ‘in-between’ shoe that works for almost any occasion.
1. Tod’s City Leather Penny Loafer; 2. Leather Penny Loafer; 3. Gommino Leather Driving Shoe — from a traditional penny loafer to Tod’s signature driving-shoe silhouette
6. Crockett Jones: British Loafers, Derbies, and Brogues
Another British luxury footwear brand worth having on your radar is Crockett Jones.
It’s one of the oldest on this list, dating to 1879. Each pair of Crockett Jones men’s dress shoes takes up to 8 weeks to make and includes complicated artisan craftsmanship that requires up to 200 different steps.
1. Crockett Jones Sydney Leather Loafer; 2. Lace-Up Leather Derby; 3. Pembroke Grained-Leather Brogue — a trio of enduring British footwear styles
You’ll find every style of men’s formal shoes from this brand, which sits at a more competitive price point than other luxury footwear labels.
Crockett Jones received a royal warrant in 2017 from the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.
7. Santoni: Italian Monk Straps, Loafers, and Oxfords
British and Italian footwear designers dominate our list of the best men’s dress shoe brands.
Santoni is perhaps one of Italy’s most underrated shoe brands, launching in 1975 under the creative leadership of Andrea Santoni. This brand remains family-run and captures the beauty of Italian craftsmanship with a range of classic men’s dress shoes.
1. Santoni Carter Leather Monk Shoe; 2. Paine Penny Loafer; 3. Damages Suede Loafer; 4. Dole Cap-Toe Oxford — monk straps, loafers, and Oxfords showcasing the Italian brand’s approach to classic dress shoes
Santoni has a team of 700 artisans creating luxury footwear that balances quality, tradition, and contemporary trends.
8. Ferragamo: Italian Loafers, Driving Shoes, and Derbies
If you’re looking to splurge on men’s dress shoes from a household name, skip Gucci and Versace in favor of Salvatore Ferragamo.
The brand is one of the footwear industry’s original pioneers and went mainstream thanks to old Hollywood stars and its made-to-measure shoes.
1. Ferragamo Penny Driver Loafer; 2. Funes Suede Penny Loafer; 3. Lace-Up Leather Derby; 4. Grandioso 2 Bit Loafer — four styles spanning casual driving shoes, suede loafers, formal lace-ups, and polished bit loafers
Ferragamo is one of the few remaining family-owned luxury fashion houses and remains true to its Italian DNA.
The brand is angling itself toward a younger audience, making now the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the crowd and explore one of the crown jewels of Italian footwear.