Brown is certain to be one of the most popular shoe colors in men’s wardrobes around the world. When we narrow this generalization to dress shoes, then brown is undoubtedly the most common not only because it’s a shoe tone that matches most clothing colors, but also because dress shoes tend to be crafted from leather, and leather is most widely dyed in brown.
This being said, just because the best-looking dress shoes are brown definitely does not mean that all brown dress shoes are appealing. For this reason, we’ve picked out the best men’s brown dress shoes from Zappos’ broad inventory:
With a large selection of styles, intuitive search filters, and a friendly return policy, Zappos is an online shoe retailer we’re glad to recommend when shopping for shoes online.
Our Favorite Brown Dress Shoes Sold On Zappos
After thoroughly diving into Zappos’ voluminous online inventory of brown dress shoes of business casual formality, we picked out the best ones from each category. NAturally, we have presented them below.
If you prefer to do your “own fishing,” you can use this link to lead you directly to a results page on Zappos pre-filtered for Brown Men’s Dress Shoes.
- Style: Oxford
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $395 [Buy Now On Zappos]
- Currently on SALE for $299
These Carlyle Plain Toe oxfords from Allen Edmonds exude artful American craftsmanship and classic style and, quite truthfully, are one of our favorite options from the famed Made-In-USA shoe brand.
The premium calfskin upper has been beautifully tanned to a deep brown color and is accented with refined stitching details. The sole possesses a 360-degree Goodyear welt construction that ensures durability, resoleability, and most importantly, gives the shoe a sleek and elegant profile.
While considered a very formal style, the brown tone and overall design end up being quite versatile. As a result, the Carlyles can easily be sported with a traditional suit and with chinos, though the latter may not be every individual’s preferred look.
Available in black and walnut, this brown (“Chili Burnished Calf”) should definitely be your first pair perhaps to be augmented later on by one of the other color options.
- Style: Brogues
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $285 [Buy On Zappos]
The Johnston & Murphy brand is well-known for its high-quality footwear. They offer both mid-priced options as well premium options that are often Made in Italy. As you may have guessed by the price point, the Jameson Wing Tip featured belong to the latter category.
The Jameson is an ideal choice for anyone looking to add some casual style points into their wardrobe without compromising on professionalism or polished looks. The brown color cognac finish would likely appeal to most, though the contrasting soles may not. Nevertheless, they are a great way of adding a bit of personality to a business casual ensemble (outside of the office, that is.)
As of this writing, they’re only available in this burnished brown tone which we’re quite fond of. Nevertheless, there are other potential combinations, perhaps a tan upper with a brick sole, that could also work well in this design.
- Style: Wholecut
- Formality: Business Professional
- Pricing: $297 [Buy Now On Zappos]
The To Boot New York Lambrusco is where elegance meets everyday wearability. Ideal for the style-conscious individual, these shoes blend classic design with modern comfort, perfect for urban walking and daily commutes.
Skilfully crafted with premium Italian leather, the Lambrusco offers a sophisticated appearance with enduring quality. The insole is thoughtfully designed to provide cushioned comfort, ideal for prolonged wear.
Finally, the sleek wholecut silhouette is complemented by a traditional leather outsole, which ensures reliable traction and stability on city streets. Attention to detail is evident in every stitch, making these shoes not just a fashion statement but a testament to fine craftsmanship.
- Style: Bit Loafers
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $375 [Buy On Zappos]
The Magnanni Raso loafers, available in this sleek Mid-Brown colorway along with other leather tones, are an elegant choice for various occasions.
These bit loafers are designed with a genuine leather upper and a leather lining and insole, providing both durability and comfort. The slip-on construction makes them convenient for everyday wear, while the soft square toe and stacked block heel add a touch of class. Their rubber outsole offers additional cushion and flexibility.
These loafers are made in Spain, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship. They are suitable for those who prefer a sophisticated and versatile footwear option.
- Style: Derby
- Formality: Business Casual
- Pricing: $130 [Buy Now On Zappos]
- Currently on SALE for $84.50
The timeless style of a well-made pair of Derby shoes can’t be beaten, yet it’s made even more special by Florsheim, who augmented the classic Derby silhouette with perfed leather quarters.
While this Derby or Blucher style is not as formal as the other shoe options highlighted above, they are an excellent option for more casual outfits. For instance, these are a great alternative for dressing down a business suit, particularly one in tan or other earthy colors.
he interior of the shoe includes soft leather linings, ensuring breathability and comfort. Its fully cushioned footbed is designed with added arch support, enhancing the shoe’s overall comfort. Additionally, the durable Flexsole outsole offers flexibility and longevity. This shoe is a great choice for those seeking a combination of traditional style and modern comfort.
Why Brown?
Contrarily to black dress shoes, brown leather is often a personal choice and is rarely specifically required when adhering to a dress code.
Whilst black dress shoes are very formal in both style and appearance, brown shoes tend to fluctuate in their formality according to both the style of your dress as well as their design.
Therefore, brown shoes are great to own as something that can be thrown on whenever you feel they’re appropriate. They’re also great as a casual alternative to traditional dress shoes.
After all, they can also be worn with a suit depending on their style. However, since they’re less formal than black shoes, it’s important to keep in mind the context of the occasion.
Finally, brown leather is something that can be found on a plethora of shoes, which can greatly vary in their own level of formality. For instance, they’re the most popular color for the various types of loafers as well as driving and boat shoes. However, these aren’t traditionally considered dress shoes.
On Formality…
Therefore, if you’re looking specifically for dress shoes that happen to be brown, it’s important to bear in mind their particular style. Both color and shoe design play an important role in deciding the shoe’s formality.
As such, shoes that just happen to be brown won’t necessarily be casual. Conversely, brown shoes that have a dressy style, won’t always be formal. Let’s take a look a typical dress shoe styles and their level of formality:
Casual Dress Shoe Styles
Of course, not all dress shoe styles are strictly casual or formal and there are a lot of factors that come into play. However, here’s a non-exhaustive scale from formal to casual to give you an idea:
Oxford Shoes: Although they’re traditionally black, brown Oxford shoes aren’t unheard of. However, some circles consider them to be a sartorial contradiction as they should traditionally be a black, formal shoe.- Brogue Shoes: Featuring a closed-throat lacing system like Oxfords, Brogue shoes are among the most formal brown dress shoes. This is largely thanks to their traditional ornamentation.
- Monkstrap Shoes: Although a very formal shoe style in black, monkstraps become remarkably casual when brown. However, they’re still versatile and suit both suits and casual attire.
- Wholecut Shoes: Like Monkstraps, wholecut shoes are formal when black but become much more casual when brown. Nevertheless, they’re still versatile and can be worn either casually or with a business casual suit.
- Derby Shoes: Also known as Bluchers, Derby Shoes are the most formal casual dress shoe style. Often confused with Oxfords, they feature an open rather than closed-throat lacing system.
Bear in mind that there isn’t one single type of brogue shoe style. In fact, there exist a number of variants such as Longwings and saddle shoes. As they’re less steeped in tradition, they’re often perceived as a more casual alternative, which find themselves between monkstraps and derby shoes.
What Next?
Use the comment section below to share your thoughts with us! Do you agree that brown is the most versatile color for men’s dress shoes? If not, which tone do you prefer?
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