A tuxedo is a classic and elegant outfit that has been worn by men for decades. It’s formal, but not stuffy, and will always stand out in a crowd.
The best shoes for a tuxedo are those that match the color of your suit, go well with the suit itself, and can be worn easily with dress shoes and boots.
Here are some of our favorite shoe styles:
Black Leather Oxfords – A pair of black leather oxfords is an excellent choice for any occasion where you want to look stylish but also feel comfortable. They go well with everything from jeans to business suits, so they can be worn whenever you need them most. The only real downside is that they don’t have much personality compared to other shoe styles like loafers or boots.
Black Dress Boots – Dress boots are still considered formal attire even if they aren’t made out of leather anymore. This gives them an edge over other types of footwear when it comes to looking good at formal events like weddings or business dinners. Dress boots also come in many different styles including wingtips and cap toes, which add more personality than plain black dress shoes would
Best Shoes For a Tuxedo
Receiving an invitation to a black tie wedding or formal event could make any guy break a sweat. Why? Dressing for formal occasions can be a serious pain. You’re either rushing to rent a tuxedo or dusting off the old one in your closet that desperately needs dry-cleaning, all the while re-watching YouTube videos to attempt to tie a bowtie with surgeon-like precision. And then there’s the item most guys leave as an after thought: tuxedo shoes.
Tuxedo shoes are crucial to looking your best while channeling your inner James Bond. If you’re going to put in this much effort for a formal occasion, do it right and look damn good from head-to-toe. To help you find formal footwear with timeless appeal, check out the best tuxedo shoes to step in style at your next black tie event—preferably with a martini in hand.
MOST COMFORTABLE
COLE HAAN
Williams Cap Toe Oxford
Cole Haan is one of the OG shoemakers that design dress shoes with comfort at the top of mind. No wonder its tuxedo shoes both look and feel amazing, thanks to a mostly leather construction (including footbed) that hugs your feet just right, so you can stand and in these all night long.
BEST BUDGET SHOE
FLORSHEIM
Tux Plain Toe Oxford
A classic patent oxford is always a sure bet for tuxedo shoes with enduring style. Florsheim has been in the business of making stylish-yet-comfortable footwear since 1892, so you know your money is going towards a high-quality purchase.
BEST FAUX LEATHER SHOES
CALVIN KLEIN
Bernard
High-quality leather can make formal shoes extra expensive, but these faux patent leather stunners from Calvin Klein have the same stylish appeal for a price that won’t break the bank. Plus, the grosgrain-detail is a nice touch.
MOST CASUAL
VIONIC
Men’s Spruce Shane Oxfords
This less formal tuxedo shoe option from Vionic will get plenty of wear after your black tie wedding event. Just make sure they’re perfectly polished for any big event or business meeting for refined style.
BEST VELVET SLIPPERS
DEL TORO SHOES
Men’s Black Velvet Slipper II
Handcrafted in Italy, these stunners from Del Toro are the perfect punctuation to a black tie ensemble. Wedding season over? No problem. These velvet slippers can be worn with jeans or trousers to elevate any look.
BEST LOAFERS
HAWES & CURTIS
Men’s Black Leather Tassel Loafer
$219 AT HAWES AND CURTIS
Patent leather too shiny for your taste? But want something a bit more jazzed-up than your basic calf leather option? Hawes & Curtis’ finely grained leather loafers have an interesting textural detail that feels just right.
NIKE
Blazer Low X Men’s Shoes
These days, you can pretty much wear anything with sneakers, including tuxedos. These lean, mean, and clean low-tops from Nike have a nice leather upper with a white sole for a nice contrast with your black and tie look.
TODD SNYDER
Belgian Loafer
A little tassel goes a long way. The extra design detail takes a pair of velvet slippers to the next level, without looking wild.
COLE HAAN
Gramercy Derby Dress Oxford
This one is all about the 360 contoured footbed for the most support and comfort while dancing ’til dawn. This Cole Haan tuxedo shoe is so flexible and lightweight, you might not even miss your favorite sneakers—for at least one night.
ASOS DESIGN
Derby shoes in Suede
There’s always a ton of small expenses (like a fresh haircut) that add up when prepping for a big formal event or wedding. If you’re looking to save some of your hard-earned cash, these ASOS suede shoes have the sophisticated look you want, but for an affordable price that makes them a no-brainer.
TED BAKER LONDON
Walster Cap Toe Oxford
It’s the small details that make this Ted Baker London option a big winner. Part finely textured leather, part patent leather, and all-around seriously sleek—what’s not to love.
