Our How-to guide shows you effective tricks to turn your shirt and shoe combos into a commendable work of art.
Did you ever observe that queer habit of people appraising you from your shoes upwards on first contact? This subconscious behavior highlights the huge impression your shoes create about you. It extends all the way to your thoughtful choice of shirt and shoe combos. Your shoes must fully cooperate for your outfit to turn out a truly charming and complete ensemble.
Learn how to match men’s shirts and shoes with the super hacks we present to you as you read further. Because when you don the most sophisticated men's suits and your shoes look out of place, it ruins your appearance. Same applies when gorgeous shoes are at odds with your attire.
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Basic Colour Coordination Tricks with Shoes
We start by emphasizing that you should curate a set of quality and well-fitting shoes, suits, shirts, and accessories. And likewise maintain them well. Quality is a tangible idea that adds special value and aesthetic appeal to both your outfit and manly poise. People around you can perceive it, even smell and ‘touch’ it so to speak. Don't be found guilty of patronizing cheap garb. Because it only stamps you with a tasteless and uninteresting identity before others.
Let's help you identify the best ways to colour match men's shirts and shoes to give you that cohesive look that will command people's respect. The rule is to look trendy and smart, not gaudy.
Versatile Shoe Colours
Brown and Black shoes are the all-time versatile picks. They blend well with almost any trouser colour. And they often work best with formal dressing. But brown shoes are the most versatile, while black shoes should be reserved for the most formal uses. Consider buying the ranks of durable Oxfords, Derbies, and loafers. In descending order, Oxfords and Derbies look good served with sharp-looking pants, classic suits, high-grade shirts, and formal dressing in general.
For a top-notch and polished look, don't indulge in patent leather, but go for quality leather all the same. Make it a habit to clean and polish your leather shoes. Then pair them with the cleanest cuts in suit jackets and trousers. People will appraise and applaud you from a distance with a nod and a smile.
Neutral Shoe Colours
Imbibe the necessity of having your most versatile shirts, shoes, and jackets in neutral colours as the foundation of your wardrobe. These colours include white, black, beige, navy blue, and gray. They have the universal mix and match advantage - they can blend with any other colour without a fuss.
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Other Colour Matching Hacks with Shoes
Here are three helpful principles to guide you in selecting a meaningful shirt-shoe combination at all times. Any one of them will set you apart in a crowd.
The 3-Colour Rule
Use a set of three key colours in your outfit and no more. It normally does not count standard neutral colors like white, black, or gray among the three, because they are treated as foundation or base colours. But you can use them to balance brighter colours. Apportion them as follows.
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The dominant colour takes up 60% of your outfit. This should naturally include your suit jacket and/or trousers.
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The secondary colour (or lesser colour) takes up about 30% of your outfit, especially your shirt.
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Accent colours (a touch of some other colour) takes up about 10% of your attire to create some visual interest. This should go into one or a few accessories. It could be a pocket square, hat, bag, belt, socks, tie, or shoe.
Create a simple colour balance between the major and lesser parts of your outfit with this simple rule and remain grateful ever after.
The Sandwich Method
Using this principle, you can match shoes with shirts or other key accessories that form the top of your outfit in the same, or similar colour. It divides your outfit into three parts:
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The top (which includes shirt, jacket, hat, tie, etc)
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The filling (your trousers), and
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The bottom (your shoes)
The top and bottom parts of your outfit form the ‘bread’, which can be of the same colour. While the filling can be some other contrasting or different colour.
Experiment with the following - match men’s shirt and shoes; hat and shoes; belt and shoes; or perhaps tie and shoes of similar colour to look classy. You can also factor in your wristwatch - match the colour of your watch band with your belt and shoe colours.
Colour Contrast Versus Complementary Colour Tricks
You can set up a colour contrast between shoes and shirts to create a balanced look. A popular example is the team-up of black shoes and white or lighter coloured shirts. Or white sneakers paired with darker outfits.
On the other hand, you can take a bolder but risky path - match complementary colours of shoes with some other clothing piece or accessory. The most likely complementary colour matches that can work are those involving shoes and pants. In layman’s parlance, match a hot tone/shade of shoe with cooler coloured pants, or vice versa. If you get it right, you will look exceptional. If not, you will look clownish. Try matching green with red or burgundy; purple or violet with yellow; or blue with orange.
How to Pick Shoes by Occasion
You can rank the best shirt and shoe combos by considering the level of formality you are wearing them for. You will wear your shoes to one of three possible occasions - formal, semi-formal, or casual events. To look effortlessly flawless, put these hacks to work.
Formal
For a formal outing, you should look business-minded and sleek. Opt for authentic and well-polished dress shoes like Oxfords or suave loafers. Sharp suits and wool trousers naturally blend with them. For summer occasions, pick suede loafers to accompany lightweight suits made from linen-cotton blends.
You can ditch wearing socks in summer to stay cool, or else use plain socks tucked away from view. For colder seasons, you can flaunt patterned or colourful socks; they should keep your feet warm.
Semi-formal
Loafers are the ace shoes for a business casual event. Sleek and comported, they can never disappoint. Pair them with tucked-in T-shirt, polo or linen shirts during hot seasons.
Casual
A pair of neat sneakers to go with cute and simple shirts; they are adequate for social and casual gatherings. Especially white sneakers. They give you a laid-back elegance, nothing hasty or uptight. Sneakers often go well with jeans, casual jackets, polo shirts, and T-shirts.
If you plan to wear a pair of shorts, pick a tucked-in T-shirt, polo or linen shirt and classy loafers to accompany them.
Suggested Reading - Essential Checklist: 10 Must-have Items Every Groom Needs on His Wedding Day
About Shoe Shapes
Shoe shapes equally determine how coordinated you appear. Have it in mind that sharply pointed, bulky, or chunky looking shoes often downgrade a sleek silhouette - unless you aim to use it for a non-conformist fashion display!
The most alluring shoe shapes are natural ones like rounded, almond, or moderately square-toed shoes, and with moderate-sized soles.
Layering Tricks
Aside from pairing your main outfit with your shoes, you can include an overcoat and vest in your colour mix and match experiments. They are a cool way of injecting more textures and colours to light up your outfit.
Conclusion
The calibre, type, and colour of shoes men wear with shirts and other clothing pieces have a profound effect on their overall appearance. We have discovered that shoes give such a powerful first impression that gets registered within seconds. So why not invest in the best shoes?
We encourage you to assemble only premium quality shoes, outfits, and accessories you can enjoy for a significant period of time. That habit will not guarantee your comfort alone, it will speak well of your personal style and taste.
Also remember that well-fitted suit jackets, trousers, and shoes are non-negotiable. You want to pull off the power look, look classy, and still feel comfortable? Then a good fit is necessary.
To successfully mix and match your shoes with other parts of your outfit, follow the recommended guiding principles. Like the 3-colour rule, sandwich method, contrasting or complementary colour tricks, and picking specific shoes for the right occasion. Learn to avoid grotesque or bulky looking shoes as well, so no one sees you as a clown.
Did you enjoy the ride? We hope you did, especially if you picked the right shoes! Please feel free to drop your comments or suggestions in the comment box below. We will be happy to interact with you.
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