This summer why not get a little tan! By which we mean a little tan treat from London Brogues. Explore our wide range of classic tan shoes and boots for men.
Thanks to the film Kingsman quote 'always Oxford's never Brogues' everybody is asking 'What's the difference between and Oxford and a brogue?' Find out the answer and why we don't think Harry is quite right on our latest blog!
Blue is a colour which evokes trust and it’s the go-to colour for most men. It is also a popular choice for any wedding palette. But why limit it to your shirts and your socks? Check out our list of blue accented brogues, for you to find your true blue brogue.
We are looking forward to what is in store for weddings this summer and how our junior range is the best choice for the older children and young men and women in your wedding party.
Have you ever wondered where the classic men's brogue came from? Surprisingly, its origins are rather less chic than its contemporary appearance may have you believe. read our new blog to find out more!
Choosing between brown and black shoes might seem like a small decision, but it can make or break an outfit. The right colour elevates your look and shows attention to detail. The wrong choice can make even an expensive suit look mismatched.
The good news is that the old rigid rules have relaxed considerably. While your grandfather might have insisted on black shoes for everything formal, modern style offers much more flexibility. At London Brogues, we make both brown and black shoes across our entire range, and we see customers successfully wearing both in situations that would have raised eyebrows a generation ago.
That said, there are still guidelines worth following. Here is everything you need to know about choosing between brown and black shoes.
The Formality Spectrum
The fundamental rule still holds: black is more formal than brown. This does not mean brown is casual, but when maximum formality is required, black remains the safest choice.
Formality Level
Shoe Colour
Typical Occasions
Most formal
Black polished leather
Black tie events, funerals, formal ceremonies
Formal
Black or dark brown
Business meetings, court appearances, interviews
Smart
Brown, tan or black
Weddings, office wear, smart restaurants
Smart casual
Any colour works
Weekend events, casual Fridays, social occasions
For truly formal occasions, particularly evening events and funerals, black patent or highly polished black leather remains the standard. Our Albert patent leather brogues are designed exactly for these moments.
Matching Shoes to Suits
This is where most people get confused. Different suit colours work better with different shoe colours. Here are the combinations that work:
Navy suits: This is where brown shoes really shine. Tan, cognac and mid brown all look excellent with navy. Black works too but can feel quite severe. If you own one brown pair and one black pair, wear the brown with navy nine times out of ten.
Grey suits: Both brown and black work well with grey. Lighter grey suits pair beautifully with tan shoes for a contemporary look. Charcoal grey looks sharp with black for formal settings or dark brown for everyday wear.
Black suits: Stick with black shoes. Brown and black together rarely works, and a black suit demands the formality of matching shoes. This is not a rule worth breaking.
Blue suits: Similar to navy, brown shoes are generally the better choice. The warmth of brown leather complements blue fabric beautifully.
Beige and tan suits: Brown shoes are essential here. Black would clash badly with these lighter, warmer tones.
Occasion Rules
Beyond suit colour, the occasion itself should guide your choice:
Weddings: Check the dress code. Black tie means black shoes. For most daytime weddings, brown shoes are not only acceptable but often preferred, especially with blue or grey suits. Our wedding collection includes options in both colours.
Funerals: Black is the respectful choice. This is one situation where fashion takes a back seat to tradition and showing respect.
Job interviews: Consider the industry. Finance, law and corporate roles often expect black shoes with a dark suit. Creative industries and startups are usually fine with brown. When in doubt, black is the safer option.
Office wear: Know your workplace culture. Many modern offices have no preference. Traditional industries still lean towards black for client meetings.
The Modern Rule: Match Your Belt
One rule that has not changed is belt matching. Your belt should match your shoes:
Black shoes require a black belt
Brown shoes require a brown belt in a similar shade
The match does not need to be exact, but should be in the same colour family
This rule applies less strictly with casual outfits and no belt
This is why we recommend owning at least one pair of quality shoes in each colour. You will find yourself reaching for both regularly.
Shades of Brown: What Works When
Not all brown shoes are equal. The shade matters:
Tan and light brown: More casual and versatile. Perfect for summer, lighter suits and smart casual settings. Our tan brogues collection offers plenty of options in this shade.
Mid brown and cognac: The sweet spot for most occasions. Formal enough for business but warm enough to feel approachable. Works year round with most suit colours.
Dark brown and oxblood: Almost as formal as black but with more character. Excellent for business settings where you want to stand out slightly while remaining professional.
Building Your Shoe Collection
If you are building a shoe collection from scratch, here is the order we recommend:
A pair of black Oxfords or brogues for formal occasions
A pair of mid brown or tan brogues for everyday smart wear
Brown Chelsea boots for casual versatility
Additional colours and styles based on your wardrobe and lifestyle
With just a black pair and a brown pair, you can handle virtually any situation. From there, you can expand into different shades and styles as your wardrobe grows.
When Rules Can Be Broken
Fashion has become more relaxed, and some old rules no longer apply strictly:
Brown shoes with grey suits are now completely mainstream
Lighter brown shoes in business settings are widely accepted
Two tone spectator shoes can work in situations that once demanded solid colours
Smart casual events rarely require any specific shoe colour
The key is understanding the context. A creative agency will have different expectations than a law firm. A summer garden wedding is not the same as an evening gala. Read the room and dress accordingly.
Browse our full collection of men's shoes to find the perfect pair in black, brown, tan or any shade in between. Whether you need formal Oxfords or versatile brogues, we have options to cover every occasion.
Introducing our new sophisticated brogue shoe for men, Sidney in black or tan. An opulent Oxford shoe, Sidney has the classic colour blocking of a leather Oxford with the charm and decoration of our signature brogue pattern.
It’s a common myth, when buying leather shoes, that you should have to tolerate excessive discomfort. Often people will buy a shoe which is too small in the hopes that the leather will eventually stretch enough for comfort. Yes leather will become more supple as it flexes and moulds to your feet, but you should always aim for the best possible fit when looking to buy a pair of leather shoes.
We have a range of options available to the fashion conscious footwear connoisseur with wider feet.
How Can Narrow Shoes hurt Wide feet
Regularly wearing shoes which are too narrow can lead to painful problems for your feet such as blisters, corns and bunions which can have short to long term consequences. Shoes at a lower price point can often compromise on fit for affordability.
At London Brogues we never compromise on quality and comfort, and instead save costs through dealing directly with our manufacturers and cutting out the middle man.
What Style of Shoe is best for wide feet?
Given that the classic Brogue shoe is typically an Oxford Shoe, it can be a real challenge for men to find the perfect feet. The Oxford boasts a sleek silhouette, with a close lacing system which can create a narrower shape that can leave wider footed gentlemen struggling to find a comfortable match.
Our Wide Fit Gatsby Shoe Range
Our best selling Gatsby shoe is available in a range of styles and wide fit sizes. You can choose from black, tan or navy blue with tan for your Gatsby spectator shoe. For men with size 7 to size 12 feet our Gatsby shoes are the perfect dress shoe for special occasions such as weddings.
Derby shoes: open laces for a wider fit
As an alternative to an Oxford brogue, we also carry a range of Derby shoes. Though not sized specifically for wide fit, the Derby shoe style is wonderful for men who need a little extra room. This is because they feature a looser open lacing system. It creates a wider, more casual silhouette, but is still a more than smart enough shoe for the office or dinner out.
Something like our Tommy Derby shoe can give you personality and colour, whilst making sure you stay comfortable. This shoe comes in different colours of leathers including navy and tan, brown and tan and red, navy and tan.
This Autumn, We have some exciting new products to introduce. Please be upstanding for the fabulous Ripley oxford shoe, Henry brogues Chelsea boot and our tweed and leather wash bag.
2020 saw the rise in the popularity of cottagecore aesthetics, and as 2021 continues to unfold it’s clear this trend isn’t going anywhere. In this article we explore what cottagecore is, how it came to be so popular and how to achieve the countrycore look with a little help from our beautiful brogue boots.
To the uninitiated, it may seem like men get a rough deal when it comes to picking out shoes for special occasions. This just isn’t the case though! There is a huge amount of variety for men to pick their preferences from.
Summer may be in full swing at the moment, but we know that Autumn is just around the corner, and as the days get longer the weather gets wetter too. That’s why we wanted to get ahead of the style curve and teach you more about our rugged men’s brogue boot Billy.
Learn all about the best ways to wear our most popular shoes, Gatsby. Though Gatsby is available in a wide array of materials and colours, we will be focusing on the two-tone style shoe known as spectator shoes.
With their flair and personality it's no surprise that Brogues are looking to be a popular shoe choice in 2022. But with so many amazing pairs of shoes from, and so many different places to visit and people to see, how can you possibly decide which brogue is best for your new year?