The right shoes to wear with a tuxedo

Fashion The key to successfully wearing the tuxedo is based on the fit and the shirt. In addition to correctly choosing shoes, accessories and cufflinks.

By Alfonso Luna Soto

What are the shoes to wear with a tuxedo? Undoubtedly, men's fashion has experienced a -positive- revolution in recent years. A variety of garments, silhouettes and textiles have been fearlessly incorporated into masculine clothing. But regardless of these new changes, we must not leave aside the classics that have always accompanied us -and it seems that they will never go away-.

One of these classics is the tuxedo or tuxedo. The maximum expression of elegance in dress when attending a gala night event (weddings, graduations or very, very elegant dinners).

The key to wearing it successfully is based on the fit and choosing the right shirt. In addition, the tuxedo is accompanied by the correct accessories; the bow tie or bow tie, the girdle (also known as the cummerbund), the cufflinks and finally the shoes.

Each one of the accessories clearly has its importance, but in this note we will focus on the shoes to wear with a tuxedo. We will not get tired of saying it, no matter what kind of look you wear (formal, casual or sporty) they will always be the key to your image. These are the options.

We know, the rules of fashion and dressing today are more flexible. So much so that you have surely seen several celebs on red carpets wearing the tuxedo with tennis shoes, which is not bad, it is simply a trend proposal. But if you really want to follow the rules of formality, three models of shoes are allowed when wearing this gala dress: the classic patent leather, the versatile Oxford and the pump loafers. Below, we detail each of them and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The classic: patent leather shoes

Undoubtedly this is the official shoe to wear with the tuxedo. In itself, it follows the same principles as an Oxford shoe, in fact, it is the same, with the only difference that the leather is covered with a shiny finish. That is when the patent leather shoe rises to the highest level of elegance, becoming the ideal shoe to wear on a gala night.

If you are one of those men who really care about investing in their image, and always seek to look their best; without a doubt, opting for the patent leather shoe will be the undisputed option.

They are very punctual use shoes. You may only wear them a couple of times a year (depending on the number of events where you wear a tuxedo). For this reason, if you want to use them on too many occasions, and get the most out of it, we anticipate that these will not be the option.

The versatile: Oxford shoe

As we described it well, the Oxford is a versatile shoe which you can wear in various situations, from work to a wedding. The keys to wearing Oxford shoes with a tuxedo are two: firstly, they will have to be black, there is no other option, neither dark gray nor brown, unquestionably black will provide the necessary formality. The second key is that they should be polished to perfection, trying to get as much shine as possible, trying to imitate the shine that patent leather shoes give.

Unlike patent leather, Oxford shoes can be worn many times. That is why we recommend you make a good investment in good Italian footwear. Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna or Gucci are a safe bet.

The care that you will have to provide them. If you use them for work or for your events, you must pay great attention to their care. The objective is that Oxford shoes are presentable for any event -especially gala ones-.

The fun: pump moccasin

Although it sounds unbelievable, the moccasin is also a type of shoe allowed to be worn with a tuxedo. There is a wide variety of moccasins, but the pump moccasin is the one for gala events. The important thing here is the material, they will have to be velvet. The color is preferably black, but they can even be worn in other colors such as blue or dark green. In addition to the material and color, another aspect to consider in the pump moccasin is the inclusion of a bow on the instep (known as a Belgian moccasin). The most risky can replace the bow with some embroidery or metallic detail. Ideal to wear in events that are during a hot night, it can be worn with or without socks.

It is a shoe model with a lot of personality and style. Of those mentioned, it is the option that will make you look with the best fashion proposal, standing out from other men with tuxedos.

It is an atypical shoe, sometimes difficult to find. Hence, if you decide on this option, patience will be a virtue to find the right model.