The festive season is almost upon us, so it’s time to explore the best men’s shoes for parties. We will focus on super-smart styles that will elevate any outfit so you can walk into any social situation with confidence.
Our autumn/winter campaign saw Freddie and Jaz get dressed up and team their outfits with our top picks for the holiday season. From patent Oxfords to woven loafers, we have the shoes you need to make this festive season sparkle.
What shoes do men wear to a cocktail party?
This is the question you need to ask yourself as the invites come in for drinks parties. Get the answer right, and you’ll be all set. You will also find many of these styles are suitable for a plethora of other formal occasions too, so they will be worthwhile choice.
Men’s Oxford shoes
We have said before and we will say it again, this style is an investment that will make sure you meet, or even exceed, the required dress code. Our Crafted for our generation autumn/winter campaign threw the spotlight on four black men’s Oxford shoes that will be more than perfectly acceptable as best men’s shoes for parties.
First up, the Rodington is an exquisite wholecut that has been given an extra bit of flair with a line of stitching to emulate a toe cap without adding the bulk. So sleek; so elegant.
The Chaucer (above right) is an unadorned wholecut but is no less stunning for the lack of decoration. The wholecut is one of the hardest shoes to make as it requires one flawless piece of leather and a craftsman who can meticulously shape that one piece over the last, stitch it to the sole and finish it without a single mistake. Every gentleman should own at least one wholecut just to admire the handcraft that goes into it.
For a more budget-friendly style, the Newcastle is a classic black Oxford that will serve you well for all formal occasions. We describe a black Oxford as “wardrobe essential”, but feel free to choose the black polished version for a bit of high shine.
If you like the polished look, then the Aston (above left) is our classic black-tie shoe. It’s a black patent dress shoe made on a fine-weight leather Blake-stitched sole. We think it is the ultimate evening shoe, perfect for any dinner dance.
Two-tone style
For the dapper gent who likes to make a statement, the black and white Gusbourne is a standout style. Again, a men’s Oxford, the Gusbourne celebrates the art of dressing with aplomb and fights back against the drab and mainstream. The clean lines of the shoe flow elegantly from front to back leaving a harmonious balance between the two colours.
Evening loafers
Again, any black polished loafer will look great with black tie, while a burgundy version will perk up a lounge suit or even jeans. We chose the black Marmi weaved-leather loafer to capture classic Italian style for the party season. This shoe comes in navy and brown calf too in case you are not wearing black.
Men’s shoes for lounge suit dress code
While black tie is the most formal of partywear, a lounge suit or even a smart shirt or fine knit sweater with slacks or jeans may also fit the bill. Don’t shuffle in though wearing a pair of battered trainers. Believe me, people will notice what you are wearing on your feet.
Jaz wore our new Fitzrovia monk shoes in burgundy calf with his suit to elevate the elegance of his whole outfit. The Carroll Derby is also a gorgeous alternative. If you want to dress up a bit but do not want to over-egg it, a brown suede loafer could be your go-to. The Charlton or the St David’s are effortlessly stylish without being too obvious.
If you need help deciding what shoes to wear with your chosen party outfit, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will happily point you in the right direction.
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