Does my black fedora need to be worn with black shoes?

[SuitMyself]

Black fedora with black grosgrain band with feather in red and a few other colours. Do I need to wear black shoes with this hat? What are the rules for coordinating hat colours to shoe colours? Thanks.

 

[Andy57]

As with many other black articles of clothing, a black hat is tricky to integrate into an outfit. I don't think you absolutely can only wear it with black shoes. Indeed, I'd be more concerned about the rest of what you are wearing. Black doesn't really go with much, honestly.

 

[SuitMyself]

I completely agree black is limiting. I already own many colours of wool felt fedoras (brown, charcoal, navy, wine, tan, etc.), I just wanted to add this black one to my collection. I don't own black suits, mostly grey and navy and tan; this is not an exhaustive list but just a sampling.

 

[JJ Katz]

I think that at night or on a very overcast day, you could wear a black fedora with charcoal or very,very dark navy suiting. But, if you already have titfers in "brown, charcoal, navy, wine, tan, etc.", rather than 'waste' money on a black fedora why not just spend on something else?

 

[Andy57]

I think that at night or on a very overcast day, you could wear a black fedora with charcoal or very,very dark navy suiting. But, if you already have titfers in "brown, charcoal, navy, wine, tan, etc.", rather than 'waste' money on a black fedora why not just spend on something else?

Indeed. For example, I just bought a silverbelly Fedora. Silverbelly is undyed beaver felt and as such is a neutral color. Goes with everything.