When putting together the ideal wedding attire—whether as a guest or for your own nuptials—your dress shoes should never be an afterthought. Shoes are a way to bring personality to any outfit, and formalwear is no different. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with a colorful pair of oxfords or want something more sophisticated and classy to tie your look together, dress shoes offer up a lot more versatility than you might think.
Selecting the right dress shoe comes down to three main factors: style, material, color, and fit. It’s all about choosing a pair that suits your fashion taste, nods to the occasion, and keeps your feet happy. Of course, you’ll also want to think about your budget before shopping around. With expert advice from shoe designer Enrico Cuini in mind, we hunted down the best dress shoes to help you on your search for the right pair.
Ahead, the best dress shoes for men, from the classics to the trendy show-stoppers.
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Charles Tyrwhitt
For the groom or wedding guest who is looking to add a touch of elegance to their wedding look, these patent leather oxford shoes are the ultimate dressy design. Made of 100 percent leather with a glossy patent finish, these dress shoes pair beautifully with a timeless tuxedo yet are versatile enough to wear dressed down with a dinner jacket.
Price at time of publish: $199
Sizes: 7–14 | Material: Leather | Color: Black
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Nordstrom
With their minimalist design and under $100 price tag, these budget-friendly dress shoes are a great choice for someone looking for a pair of dress shoes that won’t break the bank and can be worn all wedding season long.
Price at time of publish: $100
Sizes: 7–12 | Materials: Leather | Colors: Black, black patent, brown
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Bergdorf Goodman
You can’t go wrong with a classic oxford dress shoe. For the groom whose personal style is timeless and sleek, these cap toe dress shoes exude luxury with rich Italian leather and a gorgeous satin finish.
Price at time of publish: $450
Sizes: 7–13 | Material: Leather | Colors: Black, brown
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It’s hard not to think of Gucci when we think of loafers. For the groom looking to invest in an iconic piece of fashion, these Horsebit Loafers are it for us. The design itself first debuted in the 1950s, proving just how timeless this style is. Plus, with just the right amount of shine and comfort, these loafers can be dressed up for the ceremony and celebration, then worn time and time again with more casual ensembles after the big day.
Price at time of publish: $920
Sizes: 4–12 | Material: Leather | Colors: White, black
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Beckett simonon
When shopping for the best cap toe dress shoe, you can’t go wrong with a selection that is as sleek as it is timeless. These oxfords from Beckett Simonon are designed to get better with age and made with genuine leather conditioned with shea butter and carnauba wax for a gorgeous, buttery, natural-looking shine.
Price at time of publish: $350
Sizes: 7–14 | Material: Leather | Colors: Black, brown, burgundy, dark camel
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Gucci
When it comes to wedding-appropriate driver shoes, you want something high-quality and made from leather with just the right amount of shine. These from Gucci check all those boxes, plus they are inspired by a class Gucci style, giving them a timeless feel.
Price at time of publish: $720
Sizes: 4.5–14.5 | Material: Leather | Colors: Brown, black
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Amazon
You can’t say boat shoes without thinking of Sperry and we love their Original Boat Shoe for a casual wedding ensemble. Available in seven colors, including a rich all-black hue that would pair well with a dinner jacket and trousers, these boat shoes made our list for their iconic design and maximum comfort.
Price at time of publish: $100
Sizes: 8–10.5 | Material: Leather | Colors: Brown, black, navy, printed
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Dr. Martens
There’s nothing more timeless than personal style. For the punk groom who wants a pair of dress shoes that feels like an extension of them, these Dr. Martens oxford shoes are sleek enough to pass as wedding day dress shoes.
Price at time of publish; $130
Sizes: 5–12 | Material: Leather | Colors: Black, white, red, brown, parchment +more
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Nordstrom
For the eco-friendly groom or wedding guest, these responsibly made dress shoes are carbon neutral certified to maintain zero-percent net carbon emissions.
Price at time of publish: $180
Sizes: 8–13 | Material: Leather | Colors: Brown, copper, camel
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Amazon
For a groom with a serious sneaker obsession, these dress shoe-inspired sneakers are a way to elevate your style and add a touch of that obsession to wedding day attire. Designed with PerfectFit knit lining for extra flexibility and comfort and enough cushioning to break it down on the dance floor, these dress shoe sneakers keep it classy.
Price at time of publish: $140
Sizes: 7–13 | Material: Leather | Colors: Cognac, black, navy
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Amazon
With so many designs and styles to choose from, selecting a pair of cowboy boots for a wedding can be a challenge. The key is to go for an original design that is sleek and sophisticated, like these Heritage Boots from Ariat. Made with genuine leather and stylized with six stitch embroidery, these cowboy boots bring the yeehaw to the altar.
Price at time publish: $160
Sizes: 7–15 | Material: Leather | Colors: Black, brown
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These wingtip shoes from Ecco look like traditional formal footwear for men, but they’re as comfortable and supportive as sneakers. They have cushy insoles designed to support your arches, plus roomy toe boxes and padded collars for extra comfort on the big day.
Price at time publish: $220
Sizes: 5–13.5 | Material: Leather | Color: Brown
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It doesn’t get much more dapper than a pair of oxfords. Available in warm cognac, chocolate brown, or black, these classic leather dress shoes from Cole Haan are the perfect finishing touch to your wedding attire. Thanks to the cushioned footbeds, they’re comfortable too.
Price at time publish: $140
Sizes: 7–13 | Material: Leather | Colors: Cognac, brown, black
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We’re big fans of these derby shoes. The timeless style features hand-burnished Italian leather uppers, almond toe bluchers, waxed laces, and contrasting wood-look outsoles. You’ll also appreciate that the comfy cushioned footbeds are treated with an antibacterial agent to keep sweat-causing odors at bay.
Price at time publish: $150
Sizes: 7–12 | Material: Leather | Colors: Black, cognac
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If you’re heading to a more casual, boho, or rustic wedding, consider dress boots. With hand-finished leather uppers, waxed laces, and welt construction, this pair balances sophistication and ruggedness with ease. Just a heads up, the brand recommends ordering a half-size smaller than your normal sneaker size.
Price at time publish: $199
Sizes: 6–16 | Material: Leather or suede | Colors: Black, brown, camel, gray +more
Meet the Expert
Enrico Cuini is a luxury shoe designer and co-founder of his eponymous label Enrico Cuini.
What to Look For in a Pair of Dress Shoes
Style
While there aren’t a ton of different dress shoe designs out there, there are plenty of style options to choose from. You want to find a dress shoe that feels like you—not just you in a pair of dress shoes. Some of the most classic styles include oxfords, like the Cole Haan Hawthorne Plain Oxford, and derby shoes, like the Blake McKay Lace-Up Damon Shoe. You’ll also find wingtips, boots, driving shoes, boat shoes, and everything in between.
Our shoes should feel like an extension of us, and if traditional cap toes and wingtips aren’t for you, Cuini says that’s okay. “Loafers can be considered dress shoes if they are made with high-quality leather and properly polished.”
Material
Leather is the most popular option for men’s dress shoes. The go-to material is not only comfortable, durable, and long-lasting but also decidedly dapper. Of course, there are many variations. You could go with classic leather, soft nubuck, suede, vegan leather, or patent leather, like the Charles Tyrwhitt Patent Oxford Shoes.
Fit
Fit is a necessary thing to consider when purchasing shoes, especially dress shoes. After all, you’re going to wear (read: dance in) them all night—and possibly all season too. With a higher-priced purchase like dress shoes, it’s best to measure your feet and compare your measurements against the brand’s size guide.
Keep in mind size guides can differ among brands—just because you’re a size 11 in Cole Haan shoes doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the same size in Nordstrom dress shoes. Also, take into account that some brands don’t carry half sizes and that they may produce in EU, IT, or UK sizing, rather than US.
Unlike sneakers, Cuini says “dress shoes will feel much snugger” and that it is important that they “fit without any slipping or sliding inside.” She explains that wearing properly fitted dress shoes will ensure they’re comfortable throughout the entire event.
Why Trust Brides
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Journalism and a thing for shoes. She believes that shoes are an extension of personality and self-expression. Why should that not also apply to your wedding day look? When it comes to her wedding shoe taste, Jessie loves a classic cap toe oxford or something that leans into the whole personal style component—like Ariat cowboy boots or Dr. Martens Oxfords. They might not be the more obvious choices for a wedding day ensemble but you’ll never regret dressing like yourself on your big day.
