Brown Shoes with Gray Suit?

[Forrest]

Gents,
My apologies if this has been discussed before. I've searched and couldn't find a satisfactory answer. What do you all think of brown shoes worn with gray suits? I ask because I am getting married next month, and I will be wearing a 60s era trim fitting dark gray (a tint lighter than charcoal) pinstripe 3-piece suit. I need shoes. I was limiting my shoe search to just black, but a salesman recommended brown. I am intrigued and have done a bit of research on the internet, but now I defer to the respected opinions of the Lounge. What say you?

 

[Rudie]

Brown with gray - Yes!
Brown with charcoal - No!

 

[djd]

I mostly wear brown shoes with my grey suits - with a coordinated brown belt if I'm wearing one. Mind you , I do live in the country and travel into the city most days... As I recall that was the rule?

 

[Tomasso]

Matching dark brown or cordovan with dark gray is certainly acceptable though I'd probably go with black were I standing up at the wedding.

 

[Undertow]

Matching dark brown or cordovan with dark gray is certainly acceptable though I'd probably go with black were I standing up at the wedding.

:arated:

 

[Wolfmanjack]

No simple answer to this; it depends on the shade of gray and the shade of brown, e.g., light gray flannels and brown suede shoes are a classic, time-honored combo; an equally trad classic is a dark gray suit and cordovan/oxblood wing tips or cap toes.

 

[Tomasso]

No simple answer to this; it depends on the shade of gray .

It would be this shade.

dark gray (a tint lighter than charcoal)

 

[Dr Kilroy]

Hm, I think this combination is OK, but I would really recommend black for weddings. However, do what you want - just know that this is acceptable.

Best regards, Dr

 

[Forrest]

Gentlemen, thank you for your helpful replies. Black seems like the safe bet. Still, I am going to be throwing down about $300 for some quality shoes. And I really like brown. Perhaps I will post some photos of the suit to get your opinion. I'll also post a link to the shoes in question. Give me a few hours...
Cheers

 

[Guttersnipe]

In a pinch, all a man really needs is one pair of brown shoes and one pair of black shoes . . .

Don't get me wrong, I love shoes and have probably 50 vintage pairs, but for my boring corporate square costume -- e.g. work clothes -- I get by with just two pairs of uber conservative Allen Edmonds.

. . . I usually only wear brown shoes with gray suits, the exceptions being the fore mentioned charcoal-gray and some grays patterned with black dark checks.

 

[Tomasso]

In a pinch, all a man really needs is one pair of brown shoes and one pair of black shoes . . ..

My first shoes entering the work force out of college were Church's Consuls in black and brown.

You really should have at least one pair of black shoes for those very dressy occasions, and if you choose cap toes they'll work with Black Tie as well.

 

[dnjan]

Nobody would be concerned if you wore black shoes, but some people would be bothered (distracted) by brown.
I would vote for the safe bet.

 

[Talbot]

Don't rule out Burgundy or Ox-Blood. Not popular these days (who cares), but can be versatile when on a limited budget.

 

[Forrest]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Here is a photo of the suit. Sorry, not a great pic, and not being worn, but this is just to give you an idea of color:

And here is the link to the shoe I am considering. You can switch between Brown and Black colors.
http://www.toboot.com/shoes.aspx?cID=1&pID=9202

I'm open to any suggestions regarding style and color.

 

[Ben]

Based on the picture, I would vote black.

 

[Talbot]

+1 for black.

T

 

[avedwards]

Firstly, that looks like a wonderful looking suit. Well done on choosing a three piece as it will look that little bit more special than a two piece at your wedding.

Secondly, like everyone's said brown shoes are prefectly acceptable with a grey suit. I personally think it makes you look very colour coordinated because brown shoes are a more unusual choice with a grey suit than black shoes. With it being a wedding I would go with black shoes though as it adds to the formality of your three piece suit. Whichever you do I hope you have a nice wedding.

 

[Richard Warren]

I would highly recommend black shoes for a wedding, as a matter of form not aesthetics.

And since you invited comments, I would venture to suggest more traditionally shaped shoes.

 

[GoldenEraFan]

Gray is a neutral color and basically can go with anything. I believe your suit in particular would look great with black shoes, especially for such a special occasion.

 

[MikePotts]

I wear this combination quite a bit:

(Cole Haan calls it 'British Khaki')with certain shirts & accessories, but I'm with the group on yours, especially for a wedding,


MP