Knowledge is power in the menswear world, and so it goes when searching high and low for an ever-critical piece of your wardrobe: The dress shoe.
It needn’t be too complicated, and you needn’t settle for a stiff, uncomfortable pair. That’s where the best dress shoe brands prove helpful.
Quality materials and designs go a long way, literally, as these brands craft shoes for both longevity and accessibility.
If you find yourself lacing up dress shoes multiple times a week, it’s helpful to own a pair (or multiple pairs) of stylish footwear you actually feel like wearing.
They’re indispensable with a suit and they wear well at the office or on a refined date night.
And since your dress shoes (or dress boots) of choice are one of the first things people notice, the best dress shoe brands put your best foot forward.
Meermin’s dress shoes, boots and refined loafers simply pop off the page (and that holds more true in person, in my experience).
Rich leathers and suedes separate sleek loafers and sturdy boots from the pack, and the company’s use of precise construction and Goodyear welting ensures they’re built to last.
Every man’s rotation of stylish dress shoes deserves traditional classics, but sometimes, a touch of flair is required – in a tasteful fashion, of course.
Bruno Magli uses Italian craftsmanship while at the same time delivering horse-bit loafers mixed in with more conservative favorites.
There’s an entire world to explore out there covering the best dress shoe brands, and companies like Beckett Simonon make it easier than ever to dive in.
The retailer delivers designer-quality dress boots and shoes without the markup, offering helpful educational info on its methods and constructions along the way.
In my experience, it’s hard to top the heritage quality and style that Allen Edmonds delivers.
The all-American retailer, which still makes some of its shoes the old-school way in the States, was a prime investment as I started wearing dress shoes frequently.
Once you try their wingtips, dress boots or Oxfords, you’ll see why they’re worth it.
Look beyond the desert or chukka boot when considering Clarks among your picks for the best dress shoes for men.
I’ve tried out various styles of Clarks shoes over the years beyond just the iconic two-eyelet chukka boot, and the same blend of comfort and style reigns supreme.
When a new brand bursts on the scene and quickly lays claim to the idea that they’re one of the best dress shoe brands for men, it’s worth paying attention.
I’ve had the pleasure of wearing the outrageously comfortably, springy, cushioned Amberjack loafers and lace-up dress shoes, and the results absolutely deliver.
Grenson takes what you thought you knew about dress shoes and then ups the ante on construction, insanely high-quality materials and investment-level reliability.
Its quality men’s boots and dress shoes are instantly recognizable, and all the classics of British footwear (like brogueing) are there.
Best known for: Designing and bringing the iconic penny loafer to a wider market, with styles that have been loved by menswear brands throughout the years.
G.H.Bass sits at the intersection of old-school and new-school, seeing as its loafers have been a prized favorite for decades.
There’s hardly a better place to start among the best dress shoe brands if you want chunky loafers that wear as well with a summer suit as olive chinos or light wash jeans.
Tod’s loafers exude elegance, and that goes beyond its most well-known style, the Gommini Driving Loafer.
Its sleek leather loafers are a change of pace for warm-weather, refined gatherings as well as dressy days at the office (and on vacation).
Rethink what you thought you knew about the best dress shoe brands, or at least, the way that most traditional dress shoes are made.
TAFT takes a “mixed-media” approach, putting floral patterns on contrasting leather, or using textured materials or even fabrics like herringbone tweed in its stylish, fashion-forward collection of boots, shoes and loafers.