When Are Black Shoes The Best Option? Could you live without black shoes?

[deveandepot1]

I can't think of one situation where I would prefer a pair of black shoes to a pair of brown/tan/burgundy/white... shoes. Maybe a black suit, but I think I will go my whole life without wearing one.
Could a stylish man live without a pair of black shoes?

 

[micbain]

Originally Posted by deveandepot1

I can't think of one situation where I would prefer a pair of black shoes to a pair of brown/tan/burgundy/white... shoes. Maybe a black suit, but I think I will go my whole life without wearing one.
Could a stylish man live without a pair of black shoes?

I have a 50/50 split. With darker suits (charcoals, etc), I think black shoes look very sleek. Sometimes if I need to tone down dress (interviews) I'll throw on a pair of black. I actually like black shoes, maybe I'm in the minority.

 

[acidboy]

I've always preferred brown (and all its different shades) over black shoes but I don't think you could put black out of the rotation.

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by deveandepot1

Could a stylish man live without a pair of black shoes?

certainly he can.

just given you have to attend a funeral once in a while, every shade of brown stands out. so imo, you should have at least one pair for such occassions.

 

[chenc]

probably incl. your own funeral. who wants be in brown oxfords in the box?

 

[Tomasso]

No brown after sundown........

 

[Kingstonian]

A black shoe is good when you are trying to avoid the igent look.

Well looked after traditional black shoes and people will not think of you as a big girl's blouse.

 

[arvidg]

If all of your black- and white-tie events are in your own home and you have blue, green or what-have-you velvet slippers, sure.

Or if you don't count black opera pump (of which I should certainly get a pair some day).

 

[Kevo]

I almost always prefer brown shoes in my outfit. However, I sometimes prefer black shoes given the situation.

 

[Rusty G.]

I like black shoes. . .although I have more pairs of brown and it's various shades, I also have several pairs of black shoes that go great with certain shades of gray and/or black suits.

 

[Ich_Dien]

Black shoes are an essential aspect of any man's professional wardrobe.

 

[Dburr]

Don't you own a Tuxedo? How could you wear anything but black shoes?

 

[Faded501s]

I reach for brown shoes more often than not but I almost always wear a pair of black wingtip monks or black chelseas if I'm going out to a club, usually with jeans

 

[Newcomer]

I only have one pair of black shoes, other than my patent leather shoes for formalwear. I just have no real need for them at this point in my life.

 

[JammieDodger]

For interviews, I wear a black toe-cap/city shoe. With a charcoal suit, obviously.

If I went to the opera, obviously black patent leather.

I like both these kinds of black shoe, but detest all other black shoes. I especially think it looks vulgar with broguing, inspite loving my brown brogues.

To summarise. There are two black shoes I'd put on par with brown. Aesthetically only the patent leather "pumps" are more appropriate imo (the city shoe is equally good as a dark brown on the other hand).

Socially, both are more appropriate for two specific scenarios. Black brogues on the other hand, would likely be frowned upon in an interview and as I said I don't think look aesthetically appropriate either.