I've been working in the city for about 3 years now and keep hearing contrasting opinions on whether brown shoes are business appropriate or not. My personal opinion is that no brown shoes in the city is an out dated view but I am curious to see what you guys think, and what experiences you've had with this?
I work at a top accounting firm in consulting where there is an even mix between black and dark brown shoes. We sit right next to the corporate finance team and they seem to be almost exclusively black. I'm curious to hear what people in PE, IBD ect have to say about this as I've heard they are much more strict when it comes to this topic?
I'm originally from Norway where there is a much more relaxed view on clothing where almost no one wears ties and almost everyone has brown shoes, be it consulting or banking.
Brown shoes should be fine if they're conservative. In general it's going to be highly firm dependent. Also I don't live in Europe so take that how you will.
OP, everyone knows you CANNOT wear brown shoes in the U.S.
That's common knowledge
Shit, are my walnut shoes I am wearing right now ok? Should I run to the store and buy black shoes before my MD sees me?
You wear shoes that suit the outfit. Outside of the obvious Black Suit/Black Shoes and Brown Suit/Brown Shoes bit, it's pretty much a matter of what you're wearing. For a 3-Piece suit, black shoes are preferred outright for your standard conservative colors (Black, Charcoal, Grey, Dark Navy and Light Navy) while brown shoes are suited for brown suits. For a 2-Piece suit, black Shoes offer a much more traditional conservative look when paired with Navy, Charcoal and Grey suits. This doesn't mean you can't wear an appropriate brown shoe though. I mean, you could get away with a dark brown, or possibly a cherry, with a Charcoal or a Grey suit, but it might not be the best choice. With Navy, if you wear Dark Navy, then try cordovan, tan or dark brown shoes to really highlight the contrasting look. If you wear a Light Navy, you can definitely pull off brown shoes, but it's a matter of preference on the color. Usually you want the shoes to be a darker shade than your suit fabric. And obviously, Brown Suit/Brown Shoes.
Here's the thing - guys have so little options to accessorize their wardrobe, the only real options are what watch, shoes and tie they wear. Tie is a function of the suit and shirt. Shoes (and belt, since the shoes and belt need to match) are a function of the suit. Watch is a matter of discretionary choice. Having the option to wear brown shoes is a nice thing because it allows for a bit more freedom to have either a contrasting style or a more conservative look.
This is just impressive. Bravo.
Can't remember the last time I saw someone wearing a brown suit lol
Based on what I see, brown shoes have become more stylish and snazzy with just about any of the standard suit colors, even if they aren't the most appropriate choice. Fashion trends
For client meetings I stick with my black park avenues that are the color of soot, but for more casual daily wear or going out outside work I go with brown shoes
I really don't think the brown shoes matter at all as long as you pull it off. Lighter navy's/blues no problem.
misleading title
also isn't it a rule of thumb you can always wear brown shoes with a navy suit?
fellas every second (beyond the j.n.d.) you spend thinking about fashion you lose one mg of testosterone
I think about style often. The ladies appreciate my thoughtfulness.
that's fine, again it's all about the j.n.d.
if they're noticing, it's worth it
keep doing you
Q: Do you REALLY want to wear brown shoes that badly? A:
If this city is London I hear that rule is pretty well followed. Significantly more than in the States at least
Why is this a thing?
I only wear brown shoes.
In England no one is going to say a thing, but lots of people will make a mental note... Much like if you wear a belt with a suit. Nothing technically wrong, but I would avoid it if I were you...
The brown shoes w/navy look seems too casual to me for the workplace. Wedding? sure.
If you really wanna mean business, wear white bucks...
I see more brown shoes than black in NYC.
Must be a European thing.
Had thought this would be a race debate or something with that title.
People where brown shoes all the time in my city, haven't really heard that about the US in general.
I've never heard of it being an issue. I draw the lines at these goofy socks I see people starting to try and pull off at the office. It's loud and tacky, stop it.
You spend time looking at other people's socks ?
You don't?
No brown in downtown is a thing! Black lace ups only.
Unless I'm wearing a tux, I only wear brown shoes. Having worked at 3 funds with multi-billion AUM I've never had a problem. I buy To Boot NY (http://tinyurl.com/grcvgfw), Ferragamo (http://tinyurl.com/zztseph) and Zegna (http://tinyurl.com/zppupag).
I personally hate black shoes.
Now the crazy socks thing is real. Don't get too crazy - they can still just look ugly. Neiman Marcus has some real solid options on the nice but fun dress sock side.
I'm with you. I don't like black shoes and hardly ever wear them and when I do I don't like how they look. Maybe with a grey suit but anything blue just doesn't look good IMO. To me black and blue just don't go together other than with jeans.
As for some of the above posts about brown shoes in london, I lived there for a few years about a decade ago and that's where I started wearing brown shoes more often because more people do. Maybe bankers in the City wore black but I'd say more men wore brown shoes where my office was out in the PE/HF haven that is Mayfair.
Anyone who says no brown in town is a douchebag.
This is so fucking stupid. Brown shoes are fine. Everyone wears them. In fact, I only own brown shoes because black shoes look so outdated and like I'm a fucking old man. Black shoes look awful with blue suits, in fact they look awful period.
For your reference, I've worked at two bulge brackets, an elite boutique, and two mega funds.
I rocked walnut Strands with a navy suit today and it looked fucking sick.
lol
After leaving finance to start a real estate acquisitions firm recently, these are the threads that make me realize how irrelevant the mundane corporate bs is sometimes. If you want to stay under the radar just pick up a few pairs of Allen Edmonds Park Ave's and call it a day. Black and Brown. The only thing senior guys might actually notice is wearing cufflinks/french shirts. That is a no-no, and must be "earned"
Side note: Wear whatever the hell you want, as long as it looks good and isn't absurd. No MD really cares about how a junior/mid-level guy is dressed unless they are adding $$ to the bottom line. Also - you can never go wrong with a crisp blue Brooks Brothers button down.
London its pretty uncommon in BB IBD - black shoes with navy suits is common and what most will wear - rather than shoes. Its the tech guys and regional coverage teams that wear brown more often.
Always wear black until you work out the office/team norms.
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