10 Best Dress Shoes for Men in 2024, Tested by Our Fashion Director

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10 Best Dress Shoes for Men in 2024, Tested by Our Fashion Director
10 Best Dress Shoes for Men in 2024, Tested by Our Fashion Director

<p>We even explored hybrid types that blend formal style with casual comfort. Finding the best dress shoes for men doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated or boring. That’s why we curated a list with a wide variety of options from <a href=” to <a href=” shoes</a> and other <a href=” dress shoes</a>. Below, you’ll see our top 10 choices for the best dress shoes for men that will have you ready for any outing where you need to step it up. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Consider</h2><h3 class=”body-h3″>Material Quality</h3><h4 class=”body-h4″>Leather </h4><p>It’s the most common choice for dress shoes, but not all leather is created equal. Full-grain leather is the highest quality, and will develop a stunning patina over time. Patent leather is reserved for more formal occasions and comes with glossy finish. Avoid synthetic leathers, as they won’t age as well or be as breathable.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Suede</h4><p>This kind of material can also be a great option for a more casual dress shoe, but it requires more maintenance than leather to keep it looking fresh-out-the-box.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Types</h3><h4 class=”body-h4″>Oxfords </h4><p>Oxfords are your classic, super sleek dress shoes. They’ve got a closed lacing system, which means the shoelace area is sewn under the shoe’s vamp (the front part of the shoe), giving them a more polished, formal vibe. These are perfect for when you want to look sharp in a suit or for more formal events.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Derbies </h4><p>They’re like Oxfords’ more laid-back cousin. They have an open lacing system, where the shoelace area is stitched on top of the vamp. This makes them a little more relaxed and easier to put on. They still look dressy, but they work great in both business casual and slightly more formal settings.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Loafers </h4><p>Loafers are the kings of slip-on style. No laces, no fuss—just slide them on and go. They can be dressed up or down, depending on the material and design. Some loafers, like penny loafers or tassel loafers, can even hold their own in a more formal outfit while keeping things effortlessly cool.</p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Styles </h3><p>Now, we’re not talking about the silhouette or shape of the dress shoes, but rather their ornamental details that go on top of the shoes, whether it’s a pair of oxfords, derbies, loafers, or dress boots.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Brogue/Wingtip</h4><p>They’re the signature perforations or decorated stitches and serrations you will find in many oxfords and derbies. As functional as they are elegant, they can keep the elements out while elevating your footwear. In fact, brogues can be found in any type of dress shoe—no discrimination there.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Cap Toe</h4><p>Often seen in oxfords and derbies and ankle boots, the cap toe is defined by a line of stitching that draws the visual border between the toe from the vamp. It allows for some design creativity, such as having different brogue stitching details or contrasting colors in the toe versus the rest of the shoe.</p><h4 class=”body-h4″>Plain toe</h4><p>In contrast, the plain toe style dons no line of stitching that separates the toe from the rest—it’s all in one piece, looking clean and smooth. As such, plain-toe style dress shoes are often considered the most formal. Like cap toe, they can be spotted in different types of dress shoes, especially on oxfords and derbies.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Selected</h2><p>Our style team, led by Fashion Director <a href=” target=”_blank”>Ted Stafford</a>, gave the best dress shoes for men a real-world workout. We wore them all day—walking, standing, and even hitting a few dance floors to see they held up. Comfort was key, so we paid attention to how quickly they broke in and scrutinized the quality of their materials and craftsmanship. In short, we made sure these shoes could survive our day-to-day hustle and adventures before giving them or stamp of approval. Without further ado, check out the ones that made it to the final edit. </p>”/>