5 Dress Shoe Styles

Have you ever bought a great pair of dress shoes only to find they didn go with half your wardrobe? Not all dress shoes styles are multipurpose, wear-with-everything types of footwear, and depending on the event you attending, some dress shoes are more suitable than others. Since quality dress shoes are usually quite pricey, we compiled this guide of dress shoe styles to take the mystery out of the often harrowing experience of buying stylish and appropriate footwear.

Read on to learn about what to look for in dress shoes and how to select the right dress shoe style for your next upscale adventure. Modern oxfords, however, may be constructed from suede or synthetic materials, but no matter the material used to construct them, oxfords are usually quite plain with few -- if any -- embellishments.

Like most dress shoes, oxfords traditionally come in black, cordovan, brown, burgundy, oxblood, chestnut, and occasionally, white. Oxfords are good all-around dress shoes that are appropriate for numerous occasions. For the office, basic, unadorned black oxfords will do the trick. Semiformal or contemporary chic events call Trouwjurken nl for oxfords as well; though you can vary the color on these occasions, choose dress shoes in shades like cognac for a sophisticated but still down-to-earth feel. For formal affairs, revert to black oxfords made of highly polished, shiny leather, as well as heels and soles that are sleek and bruidsmeisjes jurken have as little bulk as possible.

This pair from Cole Haan is a great example of the quintessential oxford. Handcrafted from fine Italian calfskin, these oxfords have been made in the old-style, but are still comfortable. They have been polished, but not overly so, meaning you can wear them to formal events and the office with a suit or a dress shirt and trousers.

2- Loafers First making their appearance in the earlier part of the 20th century, loafers are either dressy or worn as a dressy sport shoe (think yachting and you understand). The distinguishing feature of all loafers, however, is a lack of laces or buckles. Traditionally made from leather, loafers are slip-on shoes that resemble a moccasin on top, but have a wide and fairly flat heel. Many loafers have tassels, although these are often dispensed with nowadays. Penny loafers have a strap across the upper portion of the shoe, which was originally designed to hold change or an ornament.

These slim, slanted-toe leather shoes mouwloos avondjurken by Gucci are an example of a high-quality dressy loafer. The tassel contributes to their dressy look, but the addition of bamboo to the tassel makes them modern and suitable for semiformal occasions.