All seems simple enough but once you find yourself confronted with the choice of picking the right pair for you depending on the occasion.

The pair that goes perfectly with your suit will be too elaborate for you when worn with jeans. Although those charming loafers work just fine with a dinner, they are not suitable for a business meeting. Moreover, although sandals fit great on a lazy day in summer, they surely do not suit any formal event.

This is where knowledge about the different varieties of men's shoes will make the entire process of dressing up much easier.

Be it a leather lace-up shoe, monk strap, penny loafer, yacht shoe or sandal, each has its own proper place in a man's wardrobe.  You must also understand how and when you should wear such shoes along with which outfits they should be worn with.

This article will teach you how to wear 10 basic types of men's shoes.

1. Oxford Shoes

One type of shoe which surely belongs to the category of formal wear and which is very obvious is that of the Oxford. With its neat and elegant appearance, Oxford shoes have always remained the choice when a formal look is intended.

Oxfords are best worn with: Formal occasions, job interviews, meetings at work places and formal dinners.

Oxfords go well with: Dark colored Oxford shoes may be worn with suits, formal pants, shirts and blazers. Even oxfords can be worn with bandhgala for an Indian formal wear look.

While searching for formal shoes for men online, one must definitely go for Oxford shoes.

2. Derby Shoes

Not formal enough for the Oxford but still dressy and elegant enough to go with your office And then there is the question of the outfit. It would be wise on your part to choose Derby shoes instead of Oxford shoes due to their versatility.

Best for: Work place, semi-formal occasions.

Wear them with: Chinos, formal pants, Blazers, and button-up shirts.

The best lace up leather shoes for men in India is definitely the Derby shoe.

3. Penny Loafers

One could say that penny loafers are one of the easiest styles of shoes to pair with any outfit for men. They are slip on shoes which could go easily from the workplace to dinner parties without you having to change all your clothes.

Places to wear: Workplace, Brunch, Date Night, Weekend hangout places, Traveling and Smart Casual gatherings.

Outfits to pair with: Pair with chinos, pants, jeans, linen pants, polo shirts, or casual shirts.

Brown leather penny loafers paired with chinos make up an easy smart casual outfit, while the black leather ones appear to be more formal.

If some of you were thinking of buying leather loafers online in India, then penny loafers will be a sensible starting point. Penny loafers would equally be sensible options if you were thinking of buying online penny loafers for men or slip-on leather shoes for men.\

4. Belgian Loafers

Another elegant alternative to the slip-ons is the Belgian Loafer. The elegant design of these shoes is what makes them suitable for people who wish to be stylish but do not need shoes with shoelaces.

When to wear : In the evenings, for dinners and other occasions, or for parties and other smart casuals.

Wear them with: Trousers, chinos, linen pants, dark jeans or a blazer.

A good shirt, decent trousers and a stylish Belgian loafer will help you look good.

5. Suede Loafers

The fact that it is made from suede makes the style less formal. Suede can be really useful when you want to appear polished but still casual.

Can be worn at: Brunches, outings on weekends, dinner parties, holidays, and casual affairs.

Can be paired with: Chinos, linen trousers, jeans, polos, and casual shirts.

Pairing navy suede loafers with light colored trousers will help you create an easy summer outfit.

When buying suede loafers for men in India, it is important to consider the color and occasion.

6. Monk Strap Shoes

If you think that lace-up styles are somewhat conservative for you, then try wearing monk strap shoes. As these shoes have a buckle fastening instead of laces, they give you an elegant appearance.

Places where you can wear them: Business meetings, offices, dinner events, and other formal occasions.

You may pair them with: Suits, formal trousers, blazers, or even dark blue jeans, in case of dark-colored monk strap shoes.

Monk strap leather shoes can be bought from India online, if you want to buy formal but different looking shoes.

7. Yacht or Boat Shoes

It is not always necessary that one should wear only formal footwear. Yachting or boating shoes are meant for a lot more casual look and serve very well on vacation and summer occasions.

When to wear them : Vacation destinations, weekends and casual parties.

What to wear : Shorts, Chinos, Linen trousers, Polo shirt or Casual shirts.

The look of yachting shoes along with chinos and polo shirt is quite a simple one to wear and be dressed up at the same time.

8. Slip-On Leather Shoes

There are times when you just want something easy to put on and go with. This is where slip-on leather shoes come into play.

Where to wear: Work, traveling, dining, weekends and smart casual situations depending on the type.

With what : Chinos, jeans, trousers, linen trousers and casual shirts could all fit the bill.

The key here is to ensure that the formality of the shoe matches the attire. The smooth leather slip-on could be paired with trousers, while the suede variety should be paired with casual attire.

9. Men’s Sandals

In India, closed footwear does not always make sense during hot weather conditions. A good pair of sandals could come handy for a number of informal occasions and holidays.

When to wear : Informal days out, resorts, holidays, hot days and other informal get-togethers.

With what to wear : Wear sandals with linen pants, cotton pants, shorts, casual shirts or relaxed kurtas.

While purchasing casual men’s sandals online in India, one should look for something which would complement their wardrobe instead of being holiday footwear.

10. Ethnic Footwear for Men

Indian attires are not confined only to marriage ceremonies. There is also an occasion like festivals, family occasions and other cultural events which require footwear for complementing the traditional attire.

When to wear : Festivals, family occasions, cultural events, religious events and ethnic occasions.

With what to wear : Go for ethnic footwear with kurtas, kurta-pyjama, Pathani suit, Nehru jacket and Indo-western attires.

Those looking for ethnic footwear for men in India or ethnic footwear for men's Indian attires online should opt for footwear based on the color and formality of the outfit.

Which Men's Shoes Should You Wear?

Still unsure which pair to choose? Think about the occasion first.

The golden rule here is the following: the more formal an event is, the more formal must be the shoes. The less formal the situation is, the more room there is for soft materials and light colors.

Final Thoughts  

One should understand the fact that a variety of styles of men's shoes does not imply that one will have a large collection. On the contrary, an appropriate collection of men's shoes implies the possession of the best suitable pairs for various situations.

The Oxfords and the Derbies will take care of formal wear; the loafers will give you the flexibility in casuals; the monk straps will give you individuality; the yacht shoes will be helpful in casual wear; and the sandals or ethnic shoes will be helpful in hot weather.

With knowledge of where to use different styles, dressing up becomes easy indeed.

No matter whether you are looking for formal shoes for men online or slip-on leather shoes for men or casual sandals for men online India, just begin from the occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some of the essential men’s shoes?

Some of the best styles are Oxfords, Derbies, loafers, monk straps, yacht shoes, sandals, and ethnic shoes. You need to combine all those styles based on your lifestyle and usual occasions.

2. What are the best shoes for office use among men’s footwear?

Some of the best shoes are Oxfords, Derbies, monk straps and polished leather loafers. You should consider your workplace’s dress code to choose the best style.

3. Can men wear loafers with jeans?

Yes, they can do that. Suede and penny loafers might work well with jeans. They should have a neat style and match a polo, casual shirt or a blazer.

4. Are loafers formal or casual?

Loafers can be both. A nice black leather loafer will suit formal occasions whereas suede or other light coloured loafers will make a casual style.

5. What kind of shoes go well with Indian clothing?

Traditional shoes, stylish sandals, and some easy-to-slip-on shoes are good choices.

Pick shoes that match the color and fabric of your outfit, and also think about how formal or casual the look should be.

6. What are the best shoes to wear with chinos?

Penny loafers, suede loafers, Derbies, and yacht shoes look great with chinos.

The right choice depends on the style of clothing you're planning to wear. 

7. What type of shoes is best suited for a smart casual outfit?

There are a variety of good shoes that can be used for a smart casual outfit. These include Penny loafers, Belgian loafers, suede loafers, and Derby shoes.

8. Which type of shoes should men wear with a suit?

Oxfords are the most common shoes to wear with a suit. However, Monk Strap shoes or suitable formal loafers can also be considered as alternatives.