Buying Guides · Style Guides ·Jun 24, 2025

How to Match Your Suit with Shoes

It’s a common question we get asked often: What colour shoes should I wear with my suit? A well-matched suit makes for a strong first impression. The colours you choose for your shoes and belt can turn a good outfit into a sharp, polished look. Whether you’re dressing for a wedding, an important day in the office, or a formal event, knowing how to style and coordinate your suit is essential. In this guide, we give you expert hints and tips on how to style your suit like a pro.

Understanding Basic Colour Theory for Suits and Accessories Matching

Colour matching is just about choosing colours that look nice together; it’s about basic colour theory. When you understand the principles of shade and contrast, it becomes easier to style your suits.

The colour wheel shows how colours relate to each other. For example, pairing complementary colours like blue and orange creates a vibrant but balanced look. More subtle combos like navy and brown rely on tonal harmony.

Your choices impact how formal or casual your outfit appears. Bright or contrasting shades may fit a summer event, while classic combos suit business environments.

The Significance of Classic Colour Combinations

Certain colour combinations are timeless. Black suits look best when paired with black shoes and belts, creating a simple, cohesive finish. Grey suits are flexible and can be paired with black or dark brown. Navy suits offer more versatility, pairing nicely with brown, tan, or burgundy accessories.

Research shows that these classic pairings are the safest choice for formal and professional settings. They exude confidence and sophistication, proving that sticking with tried-and-true combos is often the best move.

Matching Suit Colours with Shoes

Matching your suit with shoes isn’t complicated once you know the basics. The key is to consider the suit’s colour and the occasion.

Black Suit: The Versatile Staple

Black suits are the cornerstone of any man's wardrobe and arguably the easiest to style. Black oxfords or loafers work best for formal events. These picks create a clean, sharp finish. If you’re looking for something different, dark grey or tan shoes can complement this colour, but be mindful to match the shoes with the details on the suit.

Expert tip: Whatever shoes you choose, be sure to match your shoes to your belt and accessories. These details help to pull the look together.

A man with short hair, a beard, and glasses wears the Marc Darcy ROCCO Black Pinstripe Double Breasted Two Piece Suit, styled with a white dress shirt, gray tie, black dress shoes, and a red pocket square against a plain white background.

Grey Suit: Flexibility in Shoe Choices

Grey suits are super versatile and offer up more styling options. Black shoes work best for formal settings, whilst dark brown shoes can elevate a business look. Don’t be afraid to experiment with texture; look for shoes made from suede or canvas to add a dash of personality to your look.

Real-world example: Style a grey two-piece suit like our Kris Silver Grey Suit with some dark brown shoes and crisp white shirt.

A man wearing the marcdarcy KRIS Silver Grey Tweed Suit stands against a plain white background, styled with a white shirt, brown tie, and brown dress shoes, looking to his left.

Navy Suit: Classic and Stylish

Navy suits are possibly the most common suit colour, with most men owning a navy suit. Versatile and classic, a navy suit looks great with brown, tan and burgundy shoes. For formal events, darker shades like dark brown look best. For a more casual smart look, opt for tan or burgundy; these shades add warmth to a cool hue like navy.

Tip: Style darker shoes with darker suits. It creates a cohesive consistency and pulls the look together.

A man in the marcdarcy MAX Navy Three Piece Suit with contrast buttons, white shirt, patterned tie, and brown dress shoes stands against a plain white background, adjusting his jacket with both hands.

A man with short hair and glasses wears the Marc Darcy BROMLEY Navy Check Three Piece Suit with a vest, white shirt, and patterned tie. He looks down adjusting his jacket, standing against a plain white background.

Light-Coloured and Summer Suits

Lighter-toned suits such as beige or stone work best paired with neutral earth tones shoes. Tan or dark brown is the perfect choice and works well for formal and casual settings alike.

Example: A beige suit with tan suede loafers is the epitome of a summer wedding look. Opt for a two-piece suit like HM5 Stone Suit in the summer months to keep cool and comfortable.

A man in a Marc Darcy FINLEY Moss Green Three Piece Suit, white shirt, beige patterned tie, and brown shoes stands against a plain white background—an ideal look for summer weddings.

A man models the Marc Darcy HM5 - Sky Blue Three Piece Suit against a white background, paired with a white shirt, lavender tie, pocket square, glasses, and dark brown shoes—ideal for weddings and special occasions. He looks left with one hand at his side.

Patterned or Bright-Coloured Suits

Bold suits are a great way to break up the norm, but can be daunting to style. When wearing a patterned or brightly coloured suit, it's wise to go easy on the shoe choice. Neutral colours like black, brown or navy will help to balance out a bold suit. Avoid competing colours that distract from the main outfit.

Expert opinion: Stick to traditional styles like brogues or oxfords.

A man with short brown hair stands against a white background wearing the Marc Darcy MONTY Mauve Three Piece Suit, styled with a white shirt, dark patterned tie, and brown shoes—perfect for summer weddings. He looks slightly to his left.

A man confidently poses against a white background wearing the marcdarcy JENSON - Marine Navy Check Suit with double breasted waistcoat, paired with a white shirt, rust orange tie, brown dress shoes, and glasses.

Matching Belts and Accessories with Suit and Shoes

Accessories play a huge role in finishing off an outfit. Selecting the right belt, watch, tie, or pocket square can make or break your look.

Belt and Shoe Coordination

It’s a golden rule in menswear fashion and one that shouldn’t be overlooked: always match your belt to your shoes in colour, material and finish. For example, if you wear black leather shoes, stick to a black leather belt. Avoid mismatched textures like matte and shiny materials.

Pro tip: If you’re opting for a suit and trainer look, lose the belt. It adds unbalanced formality to the look.

Watch Straps and Jewellery

Choose metal finishes that match your overall style. Gold watches pair well with brown shoes, while silver accessories suit black or navy suits. Match your watch strap with your belt and shoes for seamless organisation.

Limit accessories if you want a clean, modern look. Too many pieces can clutter your appearance.

Additional Accessories: Ties, Pocket Squares, Socks

Select tie and pocket square colours that complement your suit and shoes. For example, a navy suit with a light blue tie and a white pocket square looks sharp.

Socks should match the colour of your shoes for a smooth, sleek style. Black shoes go with black socks, brown shoes with brown socks, and so on. Studies have shown that matching socks to trousers enhances overall harmony.

The KT - Black Knitted Tie by Accessory is shown rolled up on a smooth white surface with a soft shadow, offering modern style that’s ideal for formal occasions.

The LARKIN - Tan Leather Brogue Shoe by Marc Darcy features full grain leather, decorative perforations, and laces, shown on a white surface with a light gray background.

The Accessory MD PAISLEY Tan Paisley Tie and Pocket Square Set is shown rolled up on a glossy white surface with a plain gray background—ideal for enhancing any accessory collection.

Practical Tips for Perfect Suit and Accessory Matching

Always consider the dress code and occasion.
Let your accessories act as accents, not as the main focus.
When in doubt, choose neutral colours—black, navy, brown—for secure matches.
Build a capsule wardrobe with versatile, interchangeable pieces for easier styling.

Discovering menswear with Marc Darcy

At Marc Darcy, we believe in offering nothing but the best. Our collection boasts of the finest clothing, ranging from stylish accessories to impeccable men's suits. If you're in search of a pair of chinos that scream style and comfort, look no further than our collection. Explore it today and get ready to elevate your wardrobe like never before.

If you have any further questions or need more fashion advice, feel free to reach out and Contact Us today… But wait, did you know we do face-to-face appointments too – think you’d like to be seen by a Marc Darcy suit specialist? Talk to us about a Marc Darcy Saturday Appointment.

Find more inspiration today with the Marc Darcy Blog.

More articles we think you’ll love…Wardrobe Essentials for Every Professional Man | How to Wear Dress Trousers and Chinos | How to Style a Men's Waistcoat: A Modern Guide