Grey trousers are particularly popular as an alternative to navy suits. Nevertheless, it’s not an easy color to be able to match with your shoes. Consequently, we’ve crafted this guide so you will know how to properly coordinate your grey trousers properly.
In this guide, you will learn how to match grey shoes and trousers. Scroll down to read it all or use the links below to jump ahead:
- Grey Trouser Coordination Overview
- Matching Grey Trousers With Different Shoe Colors
- Printable Shoe & Trouser Coordination Download
We also offer a specific guide for light grey trousers if required. Alternatively, if you want to learn about different shoe or trouser color coordinations, head to menu below.
Matching Shoes With Grey Trousers Overview
If the navy trouser is every gentleman’s workhorse, the grey trouser is its partner in crime. You can’t live without a pair of these puppies.
For the purposes of this article, we’re referring specifically to medium grey and charcoal grey trousers. These shades tend to play nicely with similar shoe colors and are incredibly versatile.
For our younger readers, we recommend that dark grey be the first suit they purchase, and it’s one of the items in the capsule wardrobe.
They’re super versatile, but they’re not going to go with every shoe under the sun. Read on for in-depth analysis.
NOTE: There are exceptions to every rule.
Use your good judgement, and feel free to leave us a comment if you have questions!
Read on for full explanations and reasoning of the above coordination suggestions. Or, click here to go see our Ultimate Shoe & Trouser Color Coordination Matrix showcasing how to match any color shoes with any color trousers.
How To Coordinate Grey Trousers With Different Shoes
Best Shoe Matches
Black
Wear it to a wedding, a funeral, a job interview, a day at the office, or a first date. Grey trousers with black shoes is as classic and simple as it gets. You can’t miss and you’ll be safely, appropriately dressed for anything.
Technically the boots pictured above are black with grey, black being the predominant color. The grey wool is smart way to tie back into the trousers, and a two-tone shoe is always fun.
Burgundy
Dark grey trousers are relatively lacking in color, so it’s nice to have a business-appropriate shoe color to pair with it. Burgundy shoes are a lovely reddish-brown that gives the grey new life and opens your outfit’s accessory potential up.
Dark Brown
This is our favorite shoe to pair with grey trousers. It’s simple, looks good in any setting, and offers equal formality to black with superior style. Try it with a blue shirt and burgundy tie. Wear simple lace-ups to a meeting with a big client, or try on some suede tassel loafers after work.
Grey
A pairing similar to that of navy shoes with navy trousers, grey-on-grey offers unorthodox refinement. Just make sure it’s a nice dark grey pair of shoes!
Navy
Grey trousers will take nicely to whatever color is put next to them. While we don’t recommend it for higher-stakes business settings (sales meetings, for example), this is a pairing you could wear to an average day at the office, and certainly out for drinks afterward.
Purple
Yeah, purple shoes and grey trousers. We said it. Be advised that this is really just for casual outfits, as purple shoes with a grey suit may look a little ridiculous. Still though, try this out with a deeper shade of purple, like plum.
Acceptable Shoe Matches
Green
Keep it casual, but this combo can work if you’re careful. Dark grey should get a loden green, while medium grey can get somewhat brighter green. We don’t advise dressing this up for business, but it can be fun for an evening out.
Light Brown
Our preference is for dark brown, but light brown shoes with dark grey trousers will still work. A medium grey trouser will be done the most justice in this scenario.
White
As always, this is a casual, warm-weather (or tropical climate) option. Keep the pants cotton or linen, and tailor them well.
No-Go Shoe Matches
Beige
There’s a whole lot of “blah” going on with this combination. Avoid it and save the beige shoes for lighter colored trousers.
Orange
Orange is just too much for grey. You could even go so far as to describe it as clownish. Read our article on orange shoes to learn about better pairings, and steer clear of this one.
Red
It’s not that red and grey don’t pair well together. Heaven knows many of us have worn red ties with grey suits and have looked great doing so. Red shoes, however, are inherently casual and look much better with tan, beige, or blue pants. We suggest that you wear something else with grey trousers.
Free Printable Download For Reference At Home
You can download a free copy of our shoe and trouser matrix featured on the main coordination page below:
What Next?
Now that you have read about the how to match grey trousers with shoes, check out some related guides below:
- Shoe & Trouser Coordination Homepage
- Top 10 Best Men’s Dress Shoes
- Most Comfortable Dress Shoes For Men
- Bespoke Unit Shoe Homepage
"Top notch guide, thank you. I have a few grey suits and was looking on how to pair them with my shoes. This really helped."Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★
Shoe Content
Is there a difference between dark grey and charcoal grey?
Hi Ayush,
Charcoal grey is a very dark grey that’s almost black from a distance.
Best,
CP
Hii..
What color of shoes should I wear below onion pink and grey color pants?
So can I wear oxblod or burgundy shoe with charcoal grey trousers?
Yes, that’s fine!
Because charcoal grey leans more towards the black spectrum and therefore can men wear brown or burgundy shoe with it?
Yes, that should be absolutely fine!
I want to buy navy blue Belgium suede shoes and charcoal wool dress pants do I match the socks to the pants or the shoes?
Hey there Craig,
On most occasions, your socks should match your trousers. For more on sock-matching, check out this guide: https://bespokeunit.com/style/socks/#how
Best,
Rafael
Buenas, tengo una cena en los que quiero llevar un pantalón gris oscuro o gris antracita. Siguiendo su guía, quería confirmar que en ambos casos un zapato marrón oscuro de ante se vería bien. Les agradecería que me confirmasen al respecto. Gracias
Con pantalón gris oscuro o antracita, puede usar zapatos marrón oscuro o negro, cualquiera de los dos se vería bien.
Rafael