How to combine boots and shoes with a business suit

The office dress code has changed significantly through the years and nowadays we can wear a wide range of boots and shoes to the office. If you choose another footwear and add some elegant accessories, you can create an interesting and fresh look.

In this article, I would like to tell you more about the types of shoes and boots, which you can wear with your business suit. Also, I will explain how you can pair your shoes with a suit.

How to combine shoes/boots with a business suit

The office dress code is rather formal, so that means you need formal shoes. Choose leather footwear with leather soles. Obviously, you can’t wear sneakers or trainers with a suit, as well as you can’t wear modern versions of oxfords or derbies with chunky soles. Any contrasting materials are also unacceptable.

Here you need classic shoes in a dark colour: black, oxblood or brown. You should avoid crocodile or stingray leather, it is too exotic for the office. If the dress code in your office is a bit relaxed, you can add some colour to your outfit. For example, you may choose shoelaces of another matching colour, it will make your outfit look different. The shoes you wear with a business suit should always cover the whole foot, so forget about loafers, they look too informal in this case.

If you live in a cold country, leave your dress shoes in the office. Wear a nice pair of winter boots which can keep you warm while coming to work and switch to your nice office shoes when you arrive.

Footwear options for a business suit

Of course, the best choices are oxfords and derbies, through single or double monk strap shoes also work very well. As for boots, you can wear Balmoral boots, Jodhpur boots, Chelsea boots and even button boots.

If you can afford only one pair of shoes or boots, then you should go for a black leather pair. If you wear a black suit with black shoes, then you can add some contrast and wear grey striped socks. If you wear your black shoes with a navy, grey, charcoal suit, such look has enough contrast itself. If you don’t really like black, choose dark brown shoes.

My favourite shoe colour for a suit is black. It is elegant and classic, easy to match with many different suits. Dress shoes are considered to be more formal than boots, but there are some exceptions.

Black Balmoral boots are quite formal, while button boots are a bit flashy. Dark Chelsea boots will make your outfit more casual, but you still can wear them to the office. 

How to pair boots and shoes with different business suit colours

Navy suit

A classic navy business suit with notched lapels and flat pockets looks perfectly with black oxfords. Actually, this is my favourite combination. In this case, shoes can feature such detail as broguing. If you want your look to be more relaxed, opt for a contrasting tie and use a printed silk pocket square instead of a white linen one. You also can wear a navy suit with black double monk strap shoes.

Lighter navy blue suit

If you want something less formal than a navy suit, opt for a dark blue or light navy suit. You can wear something unusual like olive green shoes. Also, you can pair your suit with brownish-red or oxblood monk strap brogues. Striped socks of a suit colour work well here too.

Charcoal brown suit

Such a suit is nice because it is dark grey, but with brown shades. The brown colour gives some warmth to the suit, it is appropriate for the office. You should pair it with brown or tan monk strap shoes. You can also experiment with accessories and create a very different look, which will be more casual.

Dark charcoal suit

A very common option for business wear. If you pair it with black oxfords, you will get a very formal outfit. If you want to add colour to the look, wear some contrasting socks. If you want to make it a bit more relaxed, opt for dark brown suede Chelsea boots.

Gray suit

This is a nice option for more casual offices. Here you can tone down the rest of your outfit by wearing black balmoral boots. You can change the laces and get grey ones matching the colour of your suit. A pair of black suede boots is another nice choice, they will make your look unusual and you will stand out from the crowd for sure. If you have a big choice of shoes, you can experiment with different colours and textures.