Black Shoes with Navy Pants

I know there are plenty of fashion/attire threads out there but I haven't seen this spoken about anywhere. What color shoes do you wear with a navy suit? My fiancee seems to think that one should only wear brown shoes with navy pants b/c black doesn't go with navy. however, we've seen a bunch of people in the city walking around with black shoes while wearing navy. do you guys only wear brown shoes w/ navy suits?

also, does anyone wear a raincoat in the summer when it rains or does everyone just grab an umbrella?

with all your help i've been able to put together a great wardrobe at unbelievable prices so thank you guys very much!

What Color Shoes with Navy Pants?

Although there are countless images of fashion pictures and themes of different colored shoes with navy pants, the community of WSO has some recommendations for what to wear!

It all boils down to what the occasion is. For events that are more important and formal, it is recommended that you wear black shoes and it is more traditional and considered more professional. On the other hand, for small meetings and more business casual events, brown shoes are acceptable.

User @Devils Advocate", an investment banking vice president, makes a good point regarding brown shoes:

Devils Advocate - Investment Banking Vice President I prefer to wear brown shoes with navy suits, but brown shoes can be seen as a little too fashion forward to some on Wall Street, so I try not to attract attention to myself and stick to black.

Preparing for Investment Banking Interviews?

The WSO investment banking interview course is designed by countless professionals with real world experience, tailored to people aspiring to break into the industry. This guide will help you learn how to answer these questions and many, many more.

Investment Banking Interview Course Here

9 Comments
 

sorry, I misread it and thought it would be funny to rename this. I thought it was funny.

"Oh - the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion?"

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

It's an extremely traditional look. I'd say stick with it depending on where you work. That said, I don't believe that all shades of brown work with a Navy suit. For example, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing Cordovan with Navy, but I would go with a lighter shade. Then again, all of my browns tend to be in the vein of Cordovan.

 
FriedsIt's an extremely traditional look. I'd say stick with it depending on where you work. That said, I don't believe that all shades of brown work with a Navy suit. For example, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing Cordovan with Navy, but I would go with a lighter shade. Then again, all of my browns tend to be in the vein of Cordovan.

Funny you should mention this, because the other day I was told by an employee at Macy's that Cordovan is what one should wear with a Navy suit if you are wearing anything other than a white dress shirt. However, if you are going the traditional route, Navy with a white shirt, it is recommended that you wear black shoes.

I guess you just have to try both shoes on before and see which one looks best.

 
MSG1226I know there are plenty of fashion/attire threads out there but I haven't seen this spoken about anywhere. What color shoes do you wear with a navy suit?

i actually started a thread about this exact topic a couple weeks ago, and it was beaten to death. search "Brown Shoes in an Interview" i believe it was called.

after some of the responses i got, i almost never plan on wearing brown shoes with a navy suit. which leaves me in the dark as to what to wear these brown AE Park Ave's with, but ill manage.

 

No you got beat to death because the question was about wearing them at an interview, not just a general question about in the office which is a completely different thing. Personally I like brown shoes with a proper navy suit.

 

Est quisquam quasi sequi rerum. Error sapiente hic voluptatem minima alias delectus officia. Deleniti corrupti doloribus nemo itaque omnis unde est.

Fugit nostrum voluptas dolor ex. Provident error iure ullam molestiae id minima. Aliquid quis ad eum voluptatem facilis doloribus ut vel. At nulla omnis quo voluptatum in suscipit harum ipsam.

Et sunt doloremque dolores iure ullam facilis voluptate. Repellendus consectetur corporis ut consequatur. Error consequatur ea soluta cumque. Ad consequatur libero quasi quod ducimus. Ab ducimus fugit omnis tempore vel eum corrupti.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 11 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”