Trouser Colour V Shoe Colour ???

[popov123]

Okay, a work colleague has just asked an opinion on whether he was wrong to wear a shark skin coloured grey suit with mahogany brown shoes...

So, is this acceptable in fashion etiquette (sp?) terms or was he guilty of a dressing disaster?

What goes and what doesnt?

Dom

[Harry Flashman]

Poor form. Black shoes with a suit, always, unless it is cream/linen. Anything else is positively continental and so to be discouraged.

Saw that chap (Paul?)on The Apprentice wearing a blue suit and tan leather shoes, the spiv.

[Plotloss]

Yep, Harry on the money.

Unless Linen, Moleskin or Tweed then the shoes are always black and clean

[AC79xxx]

Sorry guys but I'd disagree.

Wear what you want, not what others expect you to wear.

[mrs fish]

popov123 said:

Okay, a work colleague has just asked an opinion on whether he was wrong to wear a shark skin coloured grey suit with mahogany brown shoes...

[FourWheelDrift]

popov123 said:

Okay, a work colleague has just asked an opinion on whether he was wrong to wear a shark skin coloured grey suit with mahogany brown shoes...

[Plotloss]

Hold on here a minute, we need some clarification.

Are we talking Mahogany Brown as in say classic Oxblood, something like a half brogue?

Its a sartorial risk but I could perhaps see it working, with the right tie and of course personality.

Only for oxblood mind you, anything more earthy than that and you're way off the mark...

[406]

Blue suit = Brown Shoes

Black / Grey = Black Shoes

Tan / Fawn etc Light Brown Shoes

Golfing Trousers = Black & White Spats

[bga]

406 said:

Blue suit = Brown Shoes Black / Grey = Black Shoes Tan / Fawn etc Light Brown Shoes Golfing Trousers = Black & White Spats

blue suit & brown shoes is the traditional Italian combo, in UK the "rule" is usually black shoes (as the kind gent in Aquascutum once informed me )

[Zod]

[quote=406]Blue suit = Brown Shoes
quote]Not in the City! Suits should be grey or blue, never too light in shade and shoes must be black. Brown shoes are for Americans and Continental types.

[EmmaP]

406 said:

Blue suit = Brown Shoes Black / Grey = Black Shoes Tan / Fawn etc Light Brown Shoes Golfing Trousers = Black & White Spats

Edited to add that I like the continental look.

>> Edited by EmmaP on Tuesday 3rd May 15:33

[Incorrigible]

EmmaP said:

I thought you'd be going on about how it shouldn't really matter what people looked like

[Uriel]

I've always wanted some spats

[FourWheelDrift]

bga said:

406 said: Blue suit = Brown Shoes Black / Grey = Black Shoes Tan / Fawn etc Light Brown Shoes Golfing Trousers = Black & White Spats blue suit & brown shoes is the traditional Italian combo, in UK the "rule" is usually black shoes (as the kind gent in Aquascutum once informed me )

Did he say "Oooooo, Suits you, Sir.....ooooooo"

[UKBob]

AC79xxx said:

Sorry guys but I'd disagree. Wear what you want, not what others expect you to wear.

I went to a business meeting (bearing in mind us IT chaps do dress smart-casual usually, not into suits or ties) ... and I was wearing brand new everything - designer shirt, new shoes, smart trousers... the slag at the meeting later spoke with a colleague of mine, said I looked unprofessional without a tie (I closed the deal)

Ive also gone to first contact meetings with blue chip corporate types, with FCCUK and related words printed on my tshirs, and closed deals To be honest I cant think of any deals Ive not closed, after a meeting, and wear jeans, whatever boots and shirts take my fancy on the morning.

If people know you're the best company for them, show them who you are, rather than hide away under layers of conformity. If you rock their world, your clothes will be the last of their concerns. Its the person in the clothes that makes the image, afterall

[tiga84]

I speak to you from my desk wearing a dark blue suit and brown, chisel toe boots. I've had this conversation at work sooooooo many times, but I like being different, I DO think that brown shoes are becoming more acceptable, and personally, I think they look very stylish. (especially teamed with a Herbie Frogg shirt and Links of London cufflinks).

I've taken ribbings from most of the people that I work with (male), however, I don't think that a single female has commented on them in the negative. Funny that.

[Twincam16]

AC79xxx said:

Sorry guys but I'd disagree. Wear what you want, not what others expect you to wear.

A good knowledge of complimentary colours and what suits your figure and personal style will always look better than a 'code' laid down by someone else. One of the reasons why black tie does always look like a mixed bag - some people suit it and can carry it off, others can't.

Depending on the shade of the blue suit, brown shoes can compliment it, generally the lighter the blue is the more likely the brown will go with it.

I've got a creamy-beigey moleskin suit with a green silk lining that looks great with a blue shirt, cream tie, gold cufflinks and black shoes - and I've worn it to black tie does before and I don't look out of place because it suits me.

[dinkel]

What's the color of his shoes then?

http://covingtonlatin.org/prospective/dresscode.htm
Yeah, right . . .

[tiga84]

dinkel said:

What's the color of his shoes then? http://covingtonlatin.org/prospective/dresscode.htm Yeah, right . . .

Dunno, but jones did some natty Burnt Orange brogues not so long ago that would look a treat with that......

[bga]

FourWheelDrift said:

Did he say "Oooooo, Suits you, Sir.....ooooooo"

fraid not, although he camped more than a scouts jamboree. More John Inman's Mr Humphries than those two