Styling Outfits with our Dress Shoes

Styling Outfits with our Dress Shoes

Rad Russel

Not sure which shoe to wear with your outfit? Don't worry, we've got a simple guide with tips for dressing in both formal and casual wear! 

Loafers

 

Loafers are considered dress shoes, but they’re one of the most casual styles of dress shoes you could wear. They do not utilize a lacing or fastening system, and can be slipped on and off easily.

While some may find loafers to be too informal for some occasions, they are actually a good bridge between formal and casual.

  

Formal

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While less conventional, loafers can be worn as formal attire. Choosing leather loafers for such an outfit would be best as they have a more sophisticated build and look. 

Casual

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Casual loafers can be worn with denim and khakis. In warm weather like in Singapore, loafers can even be paired sockless with shorts.

Fun fact: Loafers started out as casual shoes but became more stylish and well-designed over the years. This allowed them to be accepted into the formal shoe world as well.

 

Oxford

An Oxford shoe is characterized by shoelace eyelets tabs that are attached under the vamp, a feature termed "closed lacing". Oxfords are the most formal dress shoes available. They pair happily with tuxedos, business attire, full suits, or combinations of sports jackets and slacks.

Oxfords evolved into a range of styles suitable for formal, uniform, or casual wear.

 

Formal

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Oxford shoes are perfect for formal occasions and functions. They complement suits perfectly and provide outfits with a dapper touch. 

Casual

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Oxford shoes can be dressed down for casual events with jeans or chinos and sneakers. Styling oxfords with jeans makes for a great casual look.

Fun Fact: Oxford shoes are very simple to identify, as they are characterized by their lacing array. Oxfords are very similar to Derbies except that oxfords have no flaps.

 

Derby

 

A derby is a style of boot or shoe characterized by quarters, with shoelace eyelets that are sewn on top of the vamp. Derby shoes are a classic and comfortable style of men's footwear. They are a standard type of dress shoe.

Derbies are suitable for formal occasions, However, their sleek yet simplistic appearance also lends itself well to casual and smart casual outfits.

 

 Formal

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Derby shoes can be worn on formal occasions with a suit. Derbies work great with a wide range of outfits. Matching the leather colours of your derby with your belt creates a great, put-together outfit.

 Casual

Photo credit: Lookastic

While you can easily dress up derby shoes, you can also quickly dress them down. To do so, start by selecting a pair that appears relaxed such as a chunky style with thick soles, a light-coloured design or even a suede option.

Fun Fact: The Derby is often confused with the Oxford, as some versions can look similar at first glance. However, where the Oxford is considered exclusively formal, the Derby is a more versatile choice of footwear that can be dressed up and down.

 

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