Best Brown Dress Shoes for Men

A pair of well-selected, strikingly designed dress shoes brings elegant earthy tones and stylish neutrality to any outfit. There are so many color combinations where black creates too much of a striking contrast. Brown, however, proves to not just work, but also to bring in a classy blend allowing your look to shine.

Here we’ll be taking you through a look at the best brown dress shoes for men. We’ll be carefully evaluating the top features, as well as pros, and cons, while also looking at how comfortable, practical, and versatile each is.

Florsheim Corbetta Men's Cap Toe Oxfords

Durable, stylish, and simplistic, these Florsheim Oxford shoes should be your first consideration when shopping for men's brown dress shoes.

Available in black and brown (cognac), these pointed-toe shoes sport a classic wingtip design, while being highly comfortable thanks to the cushioned memory foam footbed. Perfectly suited to almost any formal or semi-formal attire, you'll never be left without the perfect accompaniment to your business outfits when opting for these shoes from Florsheim.

Features

• Grain-leather upper
• Classic lace-up Oxford with a wingtip design
• Blind-eyelet lacing
• Cushioned footbed
• Removable innersoles

Pros

• Excellent after-sales service
• Reasonable pricing
• Good fitment, true US sizing
• Easily cleaned
• Good traction

Cons

• Possible tight fit for the first few days

Verdict

With their professional, contemporary style and supreme fitment, the Florsheim Corbetta Cap Toe Oxford shoes for men are superior to even expensive brands such as J&M Melton.

Men’s Florsheim Oxfords have guaranteed excellence by utilizing a combination of a genuine leather upper and extremely durable construction. You can’t beat the quality of the real leather, while the feel of these shoes themselves convey luxury and style-conscious pride.

This also guarantees that once they adjust to the form of your foot, they'll fit better than most other competing brands. From the packaging to the great after-sales service, these are an excellent choice for any formal occasion.

Cole Haan Men's Lenox Hill Cap Oxford Shoes

With a look suited to both office wear and more elegant events, the Men’s Lenox Cap Oxfords from Cole Haan is number two on our list of the best brown dress shoes for men. Cole Haan is one of the most prestigious brands in America, and these men's brown dress shoes are a fine example of exactly what makes them famous.

Carrying design elements from a distinctly 20s heritage, the Men’s Lenox Cap Oxford makes fine use of reddish undertones, which contrasts the brown leather. The leather exterior holds a shine wonderfully. The only consideration to keep in mind is the sizing. Cole Haan lists 2E as a wide, while D(M) refers to the medium.

Features

• Classic lace-up Oxford design
• Tonal stitching
• Thick 1.25” heel
• Synthetic sole
• Genuine imported leather

Pros

• Resolable heel
• Easy to break-in
• Free returns

Cons

• Stiff leather
• Sizing is not matched to US standards

Verdict

Cole Haan delivers outstanding durability and great pricing with their Men’s Lenox Cap Oxford brown dress shoes. Available in brown, dark brown, and black, they're the perfect accompaniment to a range of men's outfits. The stitching is of particularly high quality, while the leather itself cannot be faulted.

It retains its shape very well. This leads to the shoes taking a short while to initially break in; however, once they are, they're a pleasure to wear. From the rubber-inclined sole to the rugged leather design, these are among the best brown dress shoes for any type of weather or environmental conditions.

Marino Suede Oxford Dress Shoes for Men – Business Casual Shoes 

Fashionable, comfortable suede with perfect fitment, an array of stylish shoe colors, and high-quality craftmanship throughout, the Marino Suede Oxford Dress Shoes are a solid number three. The modern, contemporary elegance translates perfectly into a smart-casual style-set, with these excellent brown dress shoes granting sleek fitment, practicality, and durability. These are the perfect shoes for when you need a blend of fashion-conscious class and near unparalleled comfort. Tear and scuff-resistant, you can’t go wrong with the Marino Suede Oxford Dress Shoes.

Features

• Suede leather
• TPR rubber sole
• 45-day free exchange
• 180-day warranty

Pros

• Extremely soft
• Removable insole
• Lightweight
• Professional packaging

Cons

• The TPR rubber sole is thin
• Sizes run slightly big

Verdict

They may not always be welcome at an office or event with a strict formal dress code. However, thanks to their stylish design and minimalist undertones, these sleek, professional shoes, could easily be mistaken for men's formal attire. They're a great match for both business and smart dress pants while being the perfect pairing to jeans and chinos as well. The soft look of the top-quality suede ensures an excellent contrast to rough fabrics, while the soft suede fits surprisingly well around the heel and ankles, holding their form at all times.

Are Brown Dress Shoes Versatile?

If you're shopping for the best brown dress shoes and are feeling inhibited by color pairings, then follow this general rule of thumb. Dark brown dress shoes are generally an excellent match for most formal wear. They accentuate the look of dark and light suits while opening up your possibilities to a range of other colors such as navy, ivory, and charcoal.

If your brown dress shoes are filling the gap in both your formal and semi-formal wardrobes, then it's probably a better idea to go with a lighter shade of brown — possibly something such as a tan, suede, or even a light reddish-brown.

Single-color brown shoes are the most versatile in terms of casual wear, while darker shades tend to have more specific formal style pairings. Similarly, when looking for the best brown dress shoes to serve a dual purpose between the home and office, be sure to pick a pair which is of a plain minimalistic design. Free from embellishments and ornate details. Wingtips, tassels, and brogueing are not advised. For formal wear, wingtips punched with patterns, and flowing tassels can each add a touch of elegance to your attire.