Personally, I love a tan shoe or boot. They give a subtle uplift to any outfit. The lighter colour offers a bit of zing, which is most welcome after the dark days of winter. However, some people find it hard to work out when tan, or any shade of brown, is appropriate. I hope this guide helps.
In the 19th century, black was king. The rules of “no brown in town” or “no brown after six” offering clear-cut standards for men to dress by. Black is still the ideal choice for formal eveningwear. But you can now see brown shoes and boots worn in cities and for socialising. These days, the more traditional and, dare I say, conservative British professionals still trust a classic black Oxford for formal settings. Italian men prefer shoes in shades of brown worn with blue suits.
Worry not, I am not about to suggest you pair brown shoes with black trousers, but they can be worn with so many more colours than is possible with a black style. Brown shoes are much more versatile as you can team them with jeans, cargo pants, chinos and suit trousers. Black only really works with the latter. Also, black is just black! Brown shoes come in an array of shades, including tan. They also develop a gorgeous patina over time. If they are well cared for, they will look better with age.
For many gents, one pair of black formal shoes will be enough to ensure they are appropriately suited and booted for formal events. However, a choice of brown shoes and boots is more appropriate for everyday life.
Do tan shoes work with suits?
As previously discussed…absolutely, avoid wearing tan shoes with black, charcoal or dark grey suits and you’ll be fine. Tan is all good though for light grey and any shade of blue suit, including a pinstripe. Tan with dark navy is a standout combination – that zing I was talking about in the opening paragraph of this article. You can still wear a traditional Oxford or a gorgeous wholecut, just choose a light brown or tan leather. A tan shoe will also look good with a Prince of Wales check or herringbone weave. For dark brown suits though, stick with a darker complementary brown for your shoes.
Tan shoes and sports jackets
Sports jackets come in a range of materials – flannel, tweed, cotton, linen, etc. – and are paired with separate trousers for a smart casual look. Same rules apply as above. Tan looks good with all the blues, including denim, plus red, dark brown and green separates. If you wear a belt, try to match its leather colour to your shoes or boots. You could even match your watch strap! A double monk shoe (with matching belt and watch strap, of course) could be just the ticket here. Maybe a classic brogue too. For a real statement style, try a spectator.
Casual outfits with tan shoes and boots
Tan shoes are perfect for a more dressed down scenario too, especially as the weather begins to warm up. Suede Chelsea boots look great with chinos if you do not have to wear a suit to work or you just want to look a little smarter in your jeans. Do not overlook the chukka or desert boot for that same vibe too. For a dress down day or the weekend, a tan leather trainer is still a super-smart option or try a casual rubber-soled loafer to put a spring in your step.
The message here is not to fear tan. Tan footwear can be stunning. From a style point of view: just avoid wearing tan shoes and boots with black and dark grey formal clothing. If you are worried about looking after tan footwear, it’s just the same as looking after any other leather or suede shoe or boot: keep them clean and give them some love from time to time. See our shoe care guide if you need a few pointers.
To search for tan footwear, you can choose ‘Brown & tan’ as a colour filter on our website to narrow down your choices. You just might feel compelled to purchase several pairs to give you a choice of shades!
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