Why Brown Shoes Beat Black in Menswear Today (& How to Wear)

[@thechairman74]

But seriously, I think since brown is a color range instead of a specific color, it can suit many levels of formality and dress style. I've seen guys on morning news shows like Matt Lauer and Al Roker basically never wearing black shoes and only some variation of brown and making it work with any color of suit.

[@nachno]

Yeah. Brown is a team.😂

[@masterkamen371]

True, but I wouldn't pair brown with highly formal suits. I saw a local politician the other day walking around town, he had a very formal navy suit, paired with light brown shoes. It looked off. Should have went with black or very dark brown. And black suit with brown shoes just reminds me of Agent 47 for some reason.

[@johnmoore3817]

Brown a morning color. Black at night.

[@ZigSputnik]

@@masterkamen371 Should have 'gone', not 'went'.

[@05Rudey]

My grandad who owned and worked on a farm since before ww2 and many years after used to call his Brown Brogues 'Town Shoes', because most of the day working on the farm he was either wearing Wellies or a pair of black Boots, similar to what he was issued during his military service as work boots that got scuffed, muddied and battered in general. He basically saw the Brown Brogues as the smarter more conservative option whilst in town than his work boots paired with his Tweed jacket. It's something that must have rubbed of on me, whilst visiting my nearest city and dress up for the occasion, Brown shoes and boots are pretty much the goto, being London a Burberry raincoat. Tweed Jacket and Brolly is also needed. I have often wondered the origin of 'No Brown in Town', very insightful.

[@SKBottom]

It's a very old English rule. When men would go sporting and hunt pheasant, they would still wear a tie and a sporting coat, but often pair it with brown shoes. Brown was for the country, black was for town.

[@jefffuhr2393]

Preston, you nailed this video with the ease and expertise of a master cobbler stretching leather on a last. Looking so effortless and so very hard to duplicate. You're a Gentleman's Gazette treasure. Congrats on your success and best wishes.

[@markhunter9264]

Older gentleman here. I’ve been wearing dress clothes to work and church for almost 50 years. Conventional wisdom when I came up for dress wear was black shoes for blue and grey and brown shoes for brown and green. Cordovan shoes were a utility shoe that you could wear with either. For all my time wearing dress clothes I’ve essentially had three pair of Oxfords in those colors. My shoes last a very long time because I’ve long put sole savers on my shoes when new, and when I wear through them, I have them replaced and get new heals at the same time. I brush my shoes before every wear, and put polish on them monthly to keep them supple. I usually get 15 or more years out of a pair. I NEVER have them resoled. I did that many years ago and the shoes never fit properly after. All this said, there is a picture of President Kennedy wearing a dark blue suit with brown shoes, and he was certainly a style icon.

[@rogereriksen2472]

I fully agree with you Mark. It surely is just me and my ingrained older style, but I would feel poorly dressed with brown shoes with a dark suit. I have never done so. Also, I can not disagree more that JFK was a style icon. He certainly was a style rebel. Shunning the fedora hat gentlemen wore in his day and, as you pointed out, bucking the days style by wearing brown shoes with a navy suit. Lastly, I am way too conservative to actually wear much of the outfits displayed on Gentlemen's Gazette in public. Many appear to be costumes rather than serious daily men's wear.

[@jimyoung9262]

Do you put sole savers on yourself or have it done?

[@markhunter9264]

@@jimyoung9262 I have it done.

[@SKBottom]

I grew up hearing that for navy blue suits, you wear dark brown shoes. That said, a lot of men wear black shoes with navy blue suits, especially for very formal occasions. I imagine these days, it largely comes down to the style rules held by the circles in which you travel, as well as your own personal sense of style.

[@ozgurcetin2789]

Would a Brown shoe not go well with just a Black Trouser and Black shirt. No jacket or tie just Trousers and a shirt?

[@countalma9800]

Used to wear brown shoes a lot, but as my tastes have evolved I realized I only really enjoy wearing black or tan/cognac dress shoes, with the latter being worn only late spring to late autumn. Somehow, black seems to be the only color that feels right in cold weather. Also, I live in NYC, and black shoes feel right in this urban environment.

[@jimyoung9262]

Yeah, black and grey is like the uniform in NY. Especially in the city....

[@G1NZOU]

Black definitely makes sense in the city, it's no longer a strict rule but black with black/blue/grey is definitely more of a city look while browns, greens, and tweeds are more country. I live in Buckinghamshire which is more rural and green is my favourite colour, so brown has become my go to leather colour for anything other than formal.

[@oupwo7468]

I saw a video about when to NOT follow the rules such as "no *brown* in town" and it opened my mind on fashion : clothing is really not only about how it suits you... It is also about how it suits to the environment as well ! This is an insane eyeopener and might help choosing what to wear. Going around the bar of a historical town center ? You might like something with more color while staying traditional. Going in the most modern part of the town ? Then, something simple and modern will do. The possibilities are endless ! Find the style that fits the context

[@theobaldlolworth4717]

Agreed, esp. dark brown shoes are very versatile, but also don't underestimate burgundy coloured ones!

[@MaisonLafitte]

Great material!! I decide implement more classy items in my wardrobe and this channel is great help! 😀

[@FortunePayback]

This came out just in time! Finally started building my wardrobe these past few months after watching for a few years, and I've assembled a pretty good start, but I am finally going to get first pair of shoes! Now, I am overall dressing for fun and because it just feels good, so I'm overall going for more casual. That being said, brown was the obvious choice, and probably a derby, but to be honest, I'm still not completely sure. There are just so many styles and color shades that it's hard to pick just one to start with! Although this did help at least narrow it down a little bit. ...I'm definitely going to need a second closet though. I want all of the shoes.

[@NicolasMiari]

Great video! Personally, I don't like wearing shoes that are lighter in color than my trousers, because of esthetic reasons. So I'll wear tan shoes with white linen pants, medium to dark brown with cream or light gray, and black with anything even approaching navy.

[@colin5021]

Hmmm. I reckon brown with warm tone trousers, black with colder tones. Sorry, but I just don't get blue/brown combos at all, just looks wrong to me! Likewise green/brown. But I agree that 'never wear brown in town' is past its sell-by-date. Fab stuff you guys, keep it up and greetings from the UK!

[@Taras75357]

I had an interesting experience yesterday. I attended am afternoon wedding and after 5 reception yesterday. The wedding party wore a dark blue 3 piece suit and autumn deep deep orange tie with medium brown Oxford shoe. It coordinated very well. Not your typical formal wedding.

[@lc4n333]

I have a pair of black dress shoes I wear only on most formal occassions. My everyday shoes are brown oxford with brougings. They are very versatile, easy to dress down with corduroy and denim (I only have black denims) or dress up with suits and blazers.

[@jt1559]

I only wear black shoes when I have to and don't wear it all (it's all brown!) casually.

[@Nick-zp3ub]

Brown shoes are casual. Great for wearing with a tweed sportcoat, but not with the typical suit

[@phillyfan-182]

The last 5 years I have invested in my wardrobe. Especially getting more brown dress shoes. Loafers, monk straps, derby’s, dress sneakers and oxfords

[@priceeubanks9341]

I'd like to see a video on black shoes. In all of your "X Pair of Shoes" videos, black cap toes are the first suggestion. I have a pair of allend admeond I caught on a big sale and am waiting for a brown pair I like to go on sale. Would like to know how to wear the black shoes, especially how to tone them down so they aren't overly formal.

[@italogiardina8183]

A cobbler who specialised in Roman styled and brown Celtic pixy leather shoes were the choice for those classic folk music events, as well as the occasional farmers market.

[@Anamae5451]

Love the channel guy's. I thought for a long time I was the only one who had a passion for suits. Good to know I'm not the only one and ya'll are so knowledgeable too. Keep the great content coming 👌.

[@danielgalil5020]

I loved this video. Just curious, as an avid fan of dress boots to pair with suits as opposed to shoes, and tall work boots with my casual outfits to pair with my flannels and denim partly cause of regency fashion, could you do a video on why did men stop wearing dress boots? Much love.

[@dandiehm8414]

Cars replaced horses. Pavement replaced dirt roads. No horse poop to get on you socks if wearing shoes.

[@lynnglidewell7367]

Most often I wear brown shoes. I'm retired ,70 , and no longer have need of business suites so that is of no consideration for me any longer. I do wear blazers, sport coats, and cardigan sweaters, matched in various combinations like many you've here. I have brown shoes from dark to medium to tan.I also have Ox Blood loafers. I do find however that black shoes are every handsome when matched with light gray dress trousers or full suits. Also while wearing a black leather coat with light gray dress pants. Never fails to gather compliments.

[@pablobaio9435]

I prefer brown over black for shoes. I've several and just one black. For me is easier to combine and it has more options. Great video from Preston again. Cheers.

[@liljuanito123]

It's great to have a pair of black boots/shoes for that formal event. One can have many different pairs of brown since it can vary in shades for everyday wear more casual wear.

[@Sartorial_Dad]

Outside of black tie and wearing a black or dark charcoal suit I almost always wear brown shoes. From loafers to spectators to monk straps to oxfords, I love brown shoes.

[@dandiehm8414]

Another good Preston video. I wish more than just a casual reference to Oxblood was mentioned, though.

[@jacknjill3000]

Great video and the extensive brown shoe history. I’m looking at a pair of brown double monk strap, but this pair does not have the tie cap and it’s solid. Many of the double monk strap have the toe cap. So I’m just wondering if the solid toe is an older style ?

[@samyguerroury8980]

I really like all these old pictures. Thanks for the video

[@jamesrawls4426]

When I worked in the office, I often wore brown shoes. I loked wearing a pair of oxblood shoes with sharkskin grey pants and either a hunter green or royal blue shirt

[@JT-rx1eo]

Some of those "brown" shoe examples were actually closer to oxblood color. Im looking for a good oxblood color shoe in oxford, wingtip, or derby style. And an oxblood color belt too.

[@aravioli4203]

I think you can truly get away with owning 2 shoes, for almost any dress code. - black whole cut oxfords, which can be mirror shined for even black tie - brown half brogued oxfords, which can work for almost any common dress code. You’d probably wear your brown shoes 70 percent of the time, and black ones the remainder; the other 30 percent of the time.

[@rlkinnard]

i would go with cordovan instead of brown and derbys instead of oxford. i don't like broguing.

[@aravioli4203]

@@rlkinnard fair enough, I just think a mahogany brown works with many more colours than a Cordovan or oxblood brown. I love both, I really do, but I have to pick mahogany brown for it’s Versatility. Also, personally, I don’t like the vast majority open lace systems in formal wear, so I’d probably just stick with oxfords with some brogue.

[@iboofer]

Who's the guy who had the shoe on his head? He pops up every so often in your videos but I don't know his name. Will he ever get an interview video?

[@AllTheTimeInTheWorld]

I'm planning to buy my first pair of leather shoes in December and this video was quite helpful. My wardrobe is not very formal so I'll probably go for a pair oxfords in a lighter brown.

[@justinafuchs2619]

Hmm, .. if you’re wardrobe is not very formal, just go for some Derby shoes in brown (or a lighter brown). I think they would perfectly match up with your wardrobe.

[@thechairman74]

If you're looking for one pair of brown dress shoes, then derbies with a moccasin toe would be appropriate. They look less dressy than cap toes or brogues. A lot has to do with the point of the toe. The more pointed, the more dressy, the less pointed, the less dressy. Choose which type is more comfortable for you.

[@masterkamen371]

​@@thechairman74IMO that looks awful, looks like a work shoe. Cap toe or wing tip is the standard for a reason

[@ProfessorJayTee]

...and ignore any people stating anything as an absolute, as in some do in these comments. Be you.

[@tonythetourist2025]

I wear black and brown canvas shoes exclusively!😊 True story.

[@christophermorkel.1955]

One of my favourite combinations with brown shoes, is beige chinos with a plain white golf/polo shirt, maybe slap on a blazer or sports coat if im really feeling cheeky.

[@jordandegraaff]

I appreciate the updated video! I wouldn’t mind seeing more!

[@DapperArtImagery]

I feel black dress shoes are more strictly suited to very formal functions like funerals. That being said, brown dress shoes can also work in similar formal functions yet offer more versatility in other areas too.

[@henrikfevre2109]

Great video. One thing I've always wondered is the idea of putting navy blue suits wíth black shoes. Dark blue and black are just too close to each other. It doesn't look good to these eyes, but apparently it's comme il faut. I would go with bordeaux or dark brown shoes shoes for a navy blue suit any day of the week.

[@gjp8860]

Pair Loake Chester brogues in tan with Spoke jeans rolled at ankle . Go anywhere with this combination. You do need to wear clothes above waist too😊

[@jimyoung9262]

Those Loake Chesters are amazing looking. I have got to get me a pair...

[@davidbraid8429]

thank you Preston - very informative as always!

[@ABC-rh7zc]

Some of the example shots were not great. If you wear brown shoes with navy then the brown must be a really dark brown. Looks great.

[@davearroway1000]

Solid, informative, entertaining and calming Video in these.... strange Times. Thank you.

[@hellfire510]

Hey could you guys do a video about the shirt collar over the vest and over the jacket lapel. I see people where both like this and was wondering when this trend originated and if it's a trend that is ok to wear in menswear. Thanks.

[@medhatsidaros4070]

For a beginner. Can you wear brown shoes with jeans?

[@edwardcone6860]

You might get a kick out of hearing when I was a teen in the 1950s and was leaving the house in a brown suit, my dad stopped me and said, "A gentleman never wears brown after five p.m." Ha ! Of course, he also said that a woman should not appear in public once she's showing. Thanks for your sartorial advice--very helpful and, as les français would say, Très amusant

[@mikehoare6093]

how I do it : white linen suit and boater : formal-black, less formal-brown spectators tweed and trilby : brown exclusively ghurka pants, jacket and any kind of headwear : brown of any kind and sole, i.e. casual wear, outdoors activities with kids, etc. black goes on black -always ! grey and blue depends on formality scale, but blue is very much universal, that´s why I commented once, first suit should be a blue three piece, single breasted. al capone : black exclusively bottom line : black is always fine, build your black footwear first, then go fancy with other shoes.

[@nesnahprotsdam]

I suggest wearing them on your feet. I once tried wearing them on my ears, but they dangle and people tend to look at you, but not in a positive way. Follow me for more great classic menswear tips!

[@cherry612]

Just yesterday, I thought brown is actually the versatile colour. Most of the time, I wear my brown suede loafers or my brown Oxfords. Another great colour is bordeaux. ;)

[@ged3373]

thoughts on dark navy suit with light brown oxfords?

[@westfieldartworks8188]

Boy I'm really looking for a pair of the shoes displayed at 13:18 - 13:20 of this video. They're obviously mid-brown brogue wingtip derby's....I think they're called " woven." Not sure. I've been looking for a pair of shoes like that since your video on Fort Belvedere sock/shoe/pants combination came out, where a pair of these " woven " mid brown brogue derby's was displayed. Thank you.

[@DavidGarcia-qs5ng]

With Tennis shorts , I like Brown Chucka boots with red plaid socks knee high. Is this alittle much? Asking for a friend.

[@LocoTwinsies]

What about with light gray slacks and a button-down business causal shirt? Would a medium brown belt and shoes work?

[@renatop5661]

This is the best explanation I found in several languages.

[@williamkazak469]

My Beatles boots were square toed and black. Back in the day. I love tan shoes but I cannot wear mine in the winter. Brown is the most versatile. Wear with jeans, chinos, wool trousers. I wear brown wingtips and cap toes with the above trousers.

[@outinarizona]

hahahala. Raf...never wear that track suit with neon green again. I used to have brown shoes, dark, but that got boring. I now have med-gray suede, navy and oxblood leathers.

[@dakotaescher1]

I wear black dress shoes and dress boots. I have no desire to be on any trend. I wear my style and my style is classic. My style never goes out of style.

[@roundsm18]

Interesting. Ive spent all of my office life wearing black shoes, black suit black vest. Shirts change from white to a color on Fridays and ties change daily. I do own two pairs of brown footwear - one I ride horses in, the other are hiking boots.

[@Frasesdepositividad]

Brown is more versatile since it can be paired with more casual outfits like khaki chinos and jeans that otherwise would look odd with black also gray i think looks better with brown even tho it also can be paired with black brown looks awesome with every color except dark navy bue i think a very dark navy suit with brown shoes looks kinda odd and a clash of formality tough

[@frankv7068]

I thought burgundy was the most versatile

[@samanthab1923]

I still like an Oxblood loafer

[@themoderndandy713]

It's arguably the most elegant.

[@vrkoven]

Oxblood/burgundy seems a natural pick with blue, brown and gray, though I"ve worn oxblood with a black suit that had a matching pinstripe. Problem is that it's getting increasingly difficult to find shoes in this color (to say nothing of socks), so I"ve been nursing along long-lived pairs of loafers and brogues.

[@stylishoversixty9459]

I enjoy an array of various styles of brown shoes, I like to pair my brown shoes with grey flannel trousers!

[@dapperdan9573]

What you should do you should make a video on on on why the unlike men stopped wearing thermal underwear

[@fdw1234]

Love Preston's "Agent Smith" look!!

[@playabird5538]

Does anybody know what type of/ brand of loafers those are at 13:27

[@mdsamsuzzaman671]

Excellent information.

[@rlkinnard]

the number one thing that i care about when wearing a shoe is that it is comfortable; why does this almost never comes up in your discussions? Comfort, durability, and style are in that order what I care about in dress shoe.

[@paulmcgee1867]

Because it's obvious?

[@jrooney58]

Overall, a fine presentation, however, the styles of shoe that are appropriate for business wear is much broader than you suggest. For quite some time loafers have been accepted for business wear. Bernhard Roetzel, in his classic book _Gentleman: A Timeless Guide to Fashion_, wrote that “in the USA, tassel loafers in their classic form are an accepted item of ‘business wear.’” [p 162]. Similarly, G Bruce Boyer, wrote in his 1985 classic _ Elegance_, that the Gucci loafer was “the first shoe that bridged the gap between casual and business footwear.” [p 152] Boyer continued that, while penny loafers were still too casual, “a pair of black, box calf tassel slip-ons is no longer the anathema it once was.” [p 153]. Boyer was writing in 1985. The practice of wearing loafer style shoes with business suits has only grown in the interim. Now, I recognize that business cultures can vary from place to place and from industry to industry , but in the US, pairing loafers with business suits is pretty common.

[@modalsoul6511]

I agree 100 💯 percent … with the exception of a light grey or dark grey suit … black shoes only ( boots for me )

[@senseored]

I wear the brown shoes on my hands, but I have to admit it makes it awkward to keep to traditional silverware etiquette during dinner.

[@karlsmith7016]

But do the same rules apply for light tan shoes?

[@jhlfsc]

Lemme tell you something.... If you EVER get an invitation from someone who went so far out of their way as to prohibit wearing brown shoes to their event, that person is not your friend.

[@garrettlundy3959]

I’m still looking for an outfit for the new Allen-Edmunds ‘Ultraviolet’ shoes and boots. Maybe the Joker’s purple suit from the 1989 Batman movie…..

[@velviaman3206]

Is shoe polish available in the US?

[@JoeBeim]

How do I wear brown shoes with a tux?

[@Looey]

I have a sepia panoramic pic of my dad on his 1931 senior trip to the Capitol. All the boys wore ties. He had brown & white shoes.

[@moorshound3243]

Thinking about brown now. However having lived in black boots and shoes for my whole life, it's like jumping into the unknown?

[@ElClásicodelos30s]

Preston's Puns are the best!

[@daimena.cianci2651]

Another video in the "GG Remastered" line 😁

[@dannythorne9761]

I'm not sure what to wear with my black overcoat and brown shoes

[@vqbenny95]

I see these guys hate the color black huh

[@paulbugoni2846]

Brown is far more popular in Italy than black in terms of men’s shoes. Great video!

[@jackson_8860]

How’s is going I’m a 17yr old that loves your videos and I’ve turned the dapper lifestyle into somewhat of a hobby. I was going to ask if you had tips for a young guy like me. I would like to possibly see videos about workout wear and or videos about what men wore that were blue collar workers like me. Thanks for all the tips and hopefully someday my collection will be very vast like y’all’s.

[@renebarba4788]

Great video

[@Pilzmaxe]

Unusually casual outfit. I like it.

[@legalant1429]

Mettez les pistes audios en français s'il vous plaît 😊

[@adamkornacki606]

Hungarian shoes guide ?

[@nestorlabbe4317]

¡QUñe lastima que no esté traducido al español! Me cuesta mucho seguirlo con los subtítulos automáticos. Aunque al subtitularlos los traduzcan, lo hace de una manera muy torpe y primitiva y al seguir el subtítulo se pierde detalles del video.

[@linwoodavenue4300]

Brown shoes, brown belt and you can’t go wrong.

[@ElClásicodelos30s]

The best sentence ever! "It's always better to be slightly overdressed, than embarrasingly underdressed"

[@miguelc619]

My favorite browns are the bourdeaux color.

[@pascalnorvins2187]

One pair of black oxford cap toe (quarter brogue is great but no more) is enough for a lifetime. Own 10 pairs of brown in different shapes and shades..

[@MeToo-py1tq]

Can Brown shoes be worn with a brown suit?

[@c.w.9615]

A lot of the you tube channels still say the black shoe should be the first pair. In today's dressed down world, I believe a brown shoe should be first in most cases, especially if style is the deciding factor. My favorite shoe in my collection is Allen E's dark brown wingtips. I've created a two tone look by using neutral shoe cream on the vamp, and dark brown shoe cream on the toe cap and rear quarters.

[@alexsmith4155]

I own a pair of shoes in almost every colour and by far my most worn shoes are a pair of brown dress boots

[@RichardVinas]

How come brown shoes are in but, brown shirts are not?

[@ABC-rh7zc]

Tan shoes can look attractive on their own but match with very little. White jeans/trousers go with tan shoes but not much else.

[@miriamgladen9615]

If wearing a blue suit with brown shoes, should my socks follow the color of the suit or the shoes?

[@wayneelliott7011]

Suit.

[@walterfoyt5985]

While I enjoy you videos I’d love to see one on braces (suspenders), which I love.

[@benjaminharrisongray9079]

While this is true, and I have a good lot of shoes in many brown shades, personally for me I love my black shoes most of all as an emotional aesthetic, just like I prefer darker-colored clothing in general. Anytime I wear brown shoes, I prefer them a very deep coffee brown. Lighter colors are something I can wear, but only on rare occasions.

[@akahina]

To quote Frank Zappa, "Brown shoes don't make it." Frank was right.

[@Newman8881]

How about burgundy??

[@MrDanielWP]

"No brown in town" is predicated upon Black tie/white tie dress code and formal business dress. If you went to town, it was typically in the evening for dinner parties or for formal business. In both those situations, only black footwear would be acceptable. All this stuff about boots and military uniforms isn't really the issue. As black tie became less prevalent, standards were relaxed, and people became less knowledgeable about such customs, the rule "no brown in town" became less prevalent and more obscure. Today, most men are intimidated by suits and have no idea about formality scales. The phrase seems meaningless because most people are so ignorant of that style of dress. It has fallen from common use.

[@paulmcgee1867]

Most people went to work which was a formal event so wore black

[@MrDanielWP]

​@@paulmcgee1867 for sure.

[@johnmoore3817]

I don't wear shoes at all anymore. Not since I discovered Thursday boots. From jeans to suits.