Put some soul into your soles
Shoes matter. You can have the best suit in the world but if it is paired with scuffed, mismatched leather on your feet it will undo all of the good work.
The debate is still ongoing over whether brown is acceptable in the City. The answer is probably: as suit etiquette gets less formal, with more choice in colours and cuts, so does the accompanying footwear. While you wouldn’t want to saunter into a meeting with the chief executive in a pair of brown loafers, they can be a great compliment to a business suit on less formal occasions.
Brogues are still a good look, with walnut brown adding an air of casual sophistication, especially when matched with suits in shades of blue and charcoal. Classic black shoes are all about clean, simple lines and understated laces. Buckles, if present at all, should avoid fussiness.
A more drastic statement comes in the form of the brothel creeper, which is once again threatening to return. Named for their thick, rubber soles, the shoes made popular by soldiers returning from World War II may be comfortable but beware: they will look ridiculous unless you know what you’re doing.
Spencer Hart founder Nick Hart said: “Choosing the right shoe is something that a lot of men ignore. It’s important to invest in quality, as people really do notice shoes in the same way that they notice the fit of your suit.
“It doesn’t matter what material you choose as long as it is a style that suits your trouser. Our shoes are designed in three styles: either semi-pointed, or non-pointed brogues and slip-ons, which are designed to fit a narrow trouser. Of course, if you go for a wider trouser then choose a chunky shoe. We love a chocolate brown shoe as it is much more versatile than black. It goes with most suit colours, from black and midnight blue through to charcoal grey.”
Plain Derby Shoe Maganni £255 harrods.com
Chocolate brown casual-smart Spencer Hart £360 spencerhart.com
Square toe derby shoes Paul Smith £205 selfridges.com
Aubergine tinted slender brogues Jeffery West £320 robinsonsofbawtry.com
Stanley leather wingtip brogues Grenson £180 mrporter.com
Thick soled black suede shoe Oliver Spencer £149 oliverspencer.co.uk
Clean, simple lines and curves Lutwyche £550 lodgerfootwear.com