I often receive questions on what color shoes to wear with what color pants. None of the questions are bad questions, sometimes it is hard to tell if things work together. So I have decided to make a chart to try to help all of us out. I hope the chart is easy to understand. On the left we have the pant color and the right, the shoe color. If you can wear a given color of shoe with a color of pants the color is present. If you cannot, ‘NO’ will be present.
Now, obviously, there are exceptions to everything. Sometimes certain shades of burgundy won’t go with burgundy pants or the grays and browns just won’t mix. So this is only to act as a general guide and not as law, for it is mostly a subjective view on what I have seen done well and not well over the past few years. I should note that some of you may disagree with some of the approved and not approved combinations, such as my lack of support for tan pants and black shoes. Disagree all you want, but I have rarely seen the combination done well so I think it’s just best to steer clear.
Anyway, you should get the idea by now. Feel free to post comments, disagreements, questions or requests for other colors in the comments section.
Maybe chocolate brown cord trousers with purple suede chukka boots would work ok?
Geoff,
I could see that working. I think it’d mostly depend on the shade of purple.
-JLJ
I think it’s a matter of personal taste.
I do think that a pair of black jeans fits very nice to certain brown shades; there are so many shades of brownish leather.
I do not think that a pair of white trousers fit to any shoe; I never wear white trousers.
I agree Justin , the shoes I have are Herrings dark purple with dark soles and even though I haven’t worn them yet with the brown cords my feeling is that they would work. Thanks for giving me the idea! Regards, Geoff. P.S I now have an Etro paisley velvet jacket which I have paired with a pair of green Etro jeans what would you suggest to wear on the feet with that combination?
Geoff,
Sounds like a pretty sick jacket. I can imagine some plain velvet slippers looking good with the jacket and pants. Or some very sleek loafers. I think since the jacket and pants will have such a strong visual presence you would want to keep the footwear simple and sleek.
-JLJ
[…] you would otherwise wear a brown dress shoe (for more on what to pair your brown shoes with check here). Equally at home below a suit as with jeans, if you wear them. But anyway, I have dragged on […]
[…] with most colors of suits and trousers. Which again, is a false argument. Refer to my chart on What Color Shoes To Wear With What Color Pants for a bit more on that. But in fact, gray shoes can go with most colors of pants and suit. I […]
What about Grey pants and light brown shoes
I wear brown leather converse with Grey jeans, looks good.
Hey,
Nice combinations guide, makes life easier.
I want to buy new shoes and need to know if these will fit with black jeans (http://www.def-shop.nl/jack-jones-stan-osaka-jeans-black-navy.html?pla=nl) WITH these shoes ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Mens-Jack-Jones-Jj-Reno-Low-Ji-Org-Trainers-In-Green-/190932473208 )
Thanks. Do I just have to follow the “green” combinations?
Ty.
Wht kind of pants can I wear with some dark brown boot shoes for me this shoes are not like boots there like sperry topsiders
what about lyt brown shoe and black pants?
Hussan,
I have never seen it done well, to be honest. You are obviously welcome to try the combination out though.
-Justin
What color pants or chinos goes with white shoes
John,
I would wear pretty much any color pants but black with white shoes.
-Justin
I have a pair of Two-Tone (Tan Leather/Natural Linen) Ellington cap toe saddles by Johnston and Murphy, what color trousers should I wear with them? I’m thinking Navy, Suggestions?
This has been tremendously helpful.
This has been tremendously helpful.
Kumar,
Glad to be of help, thank you for the kind words!
-Justin
This color chart is so incredibly awesome, thank you!!!
this is one of the most useful charts on the internet!
it also confirmed my suspicion that grey shoes don’t go with khaki (the american-style, tan khaki, not the “international” greenish-yellow khaki) pants. all my shoes are gray. i guess i should start buying brown 😀
[…] http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/pants/what-color-shoes-to-wear-with-what-color-pants/ […]
[…] pants, never brown and vice versa. For other color shoes and pants to match, you could check out http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/pants/what-color-shoes-to-wear-with-what-color-pants/, so here’s a little tip, invest in a pair of dark blue shoes and socks as well as your black […]
How often do you see grey or charcoal pants working well with a light brown leather oxford? Granted, they grade a bit darker towards the heel and toe, but I’m just so unsure.
I see black suits and brown shoes that work all the time?
What are your thoughts on wearing forest green and burgundy dress pants?
Samuel,
Pants that are both forest green and burgundy? Or green pants and burgundy shoes? Not totally sure what you are asking. But both sound fine to me.
-Justin
black socks ok with all the different shoe colors…even when wearing brown pants ?
If your wearing mint green slacks what Color should your shoes be?
You can wear any colour shoes, just change your trousers before hand.
@UKTonyK: I would upvote you if I could…
But yeah, mint/ bright pink and other bubblegum colours are just no-go. Men who do wear those faill into ‘hipster’ (for lack of better words) territory already so badly that the colour of shoes doesn’t matter anymore. The pants are already so far off, it’d be hard to push it much farther, except perhaps with a pair of these: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mzc1WDUwMA==/z/ehAAAOSw3ydVrBEh/$_1.JPG
Rolling my fucking eyes at the replies this got. White or light brown/tan would look great love.
does brown/black/blue pant works well with white and radium shaded shoes?
Please help!
What pants should I wear with grey suede shoes that have a lighter brown leather trim around the soles and the soles themselves being white?
I don’t entirely agree with everything and I do think black shoes should be given more credit in terms of versatility. Definitely suitable with white jeans, a tweed jacket and an outmeal cashmere sweater (imagine winter season) and with tan trousers with a grey/blue donegal jacket with a black knit tie (guys from the armoury).
Having said that, it is useful guide for beginners who are willing to explore the art of dressing up. Not sure if I will ever venture into purple shoes though.
What color loafers can i wear for a vine coloured trousers??
So the shirt color plays no part in this decision? If I’m wearing khaki pants with a black shirt, black shoes would be inappropriate?
I think blue (as above) pant with brown/reddish brown shoes will be a mismatch. Burgundy shoe looks ok with brown pant, they both have redness; but white pant on purple or green shoe will look like a clown.
if u wearing charcoal shoes what color should your pant be
[…] olive green penny loafers… Anyway, it is a very wearable and practical color; it goes with nearly any shade of trouser. Not to mention is perfectly compliments and earthy colors of […]
Can I wear a black jacket with brown shoes and gray pants
Can I wear a black jacket with gray pants and tan shoes
Can I wear black pants with blue navy shirt in white shoes.
Never wear black and navy together. It just doesn’t work.
[…] What Color Shoes To Wear With What Color Pants | The Fine … – I often receive questions on what color shoes to wear with what color … a suit as with jeans, if you wear … kind of pants can I wear with some dark … […]
If you can only afford one pair of dress shoes starting out, what color should I go? Black or cordovan?
I looked at this chart for the first time today as I was debating on wearing black dress shoes with a light blue shirt and dark gray pants. I ended up going with brown thanks to this chart…. Never had so many compliments. Thank you!!! This is very very helpful.
[…] http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/pants/what-color-shoes-to-wear-with-what-color-pants/ […]
Chart is missing Charcoal/Dark Grey shoes. While it’s a helpful chart in many ways, the only reason I found it is because I just received some “Cement” harness boots and was searching for what pants I could wear. They appear like charcoal grey. Would be great if chart reflected this common shoe color.
What are your thoughts on oxblood shoes? Same as burgundy?
Thanks.
Blue jeans with navy blue shoes. Do they go well together
Royal blue pants with light or dark brown shoes? Will they work. ?
Absolutely.
What shirt color can I wear with light grey pants and navy blue shoe and can I wear a navy blue blazer?
Personally I would wear either a White or Pink shirt with that combo.
i have a sky blue color shirt and navy blue trouser what color and kind of shoe do a wear for some special occasions?
Shaurya,
some nice brown oxfords or a dress loafer perhaps.
-Justin
What color pants would go with a pair of dark brown loafers ?
black and navy blue DO NOT go together. this chart is wrong.
Dave,
I used to think the same. But with a navy suit, black shoes can look great. I converted.
-Justin
I have brownish light gray chinos. Will they look nice with gray loafers?
I have brownish gray chinos. Will they look nice with gray loafers?
Mil,
Most likely
-Justin
I disagree on black pants and tan shoes not going I wore tan shoes black slacks and oatmeal v-neck with a white dress shirt last week and had no less than five women approach me and tell me how nice I look
HH,
The problem is that women are not the best judges on what men should and shouldn’t wear. They often analyze men’s clothing from a female style perspective; the rules are different. Although it is not impossible to pull off tan shoes with black trousers, it is very rarely done well; which is why it’s marked as a no.
-Justin
Do you have something like this for a shirt and pant combination?
Dain,
I do not, but it is feasible, perhaps I will put one together. Thanks.
-Justin
[…] A good starting point is a plain black watch. Black will go with everything. Not sure how to match colours? Look at this chart here. […]
what about cream colour pant black colour shirt and blue shoes
cream pants and blue shoes sounds like a great look. Although im not a fan of the black shirt thrown in that mix. a dark blue shirt or maybe a brown shirt?
Only if you are a gigolo. Rein back on the shirt colour.
what kind of shoes i should wear with brown trouser
Hi Varun,
You could wear any type of shoe with brown trousers – oxfords, boat shoes, loafers, trainers etc. It all depends on the type of pant and how formal you want to be.
Justin
Love this! I still struggle with shirt colour though. Have you got any tips or a chart with all 3?
Dan,
We do not have a chart with all three, but not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll work on putting one together, but no promises.
-Justin
What about dark blue derby shoes with denim blue pants? If not what color pants would you recommend?
Cheers in advance
Ethan,
That combination should work well.
Justin
[…] I could write many, many thousands of words on this topic and over the next few weeks, I will go more in depth into how to ensure you are able to find the best suit, best accessories for the suit, the shoes and even the colour. For now, if you want to look into matching the colour a bit more have a look at the chart here. […]
Nice chart. Helped me out.
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Maybe I’m just an old guy, but when did it become OK to wear brown shoes with gray or blue pants? That just looks wrong.
Michael,
I think it is totally fine as long as the shade of brown does not clash with that of the blue or gray. That said, brown almost never clashes with blue so the gray can be more tricky.
-Justin
So I can wear a pair of navy blue shoe with any pants.?
[…] strict the rules. So, if it you like the look, don’t sweat it, just go with it. (Here’s your visual color scheme, too.) Make sure to keep the contrast clear and avoid close, but quite not matching shades. […]
What about olive color boots/shoes?
Olive goes really well with a lot of color pants – especially earthy tones like brown, tan, burnt orange and even purple and red. Even goes with pretty much all shades of blue.
-Justin
Navy color shoes brown pent with which color shirt ya t shirt wear tell me
Can I wear black pants with black shoes with a army green camouflage shirt
you could and I think the colors would work. That said, its not a look I would wear and certainly one more appropriate for a casual environment
Thoughts on like dark-ish cherry colored shoes with black pants?
sounds like a good look walter
What color pants would you suggest for Allbirds’ Kauri Stone Tree Runner? It’s sort of skin tone color with white soles.
https://www.allbirds.com/products/mens-tree-runners?variant=2037758525447
What color pants would you recommend to go with Allbirds’ Kauri Stone Tree Runner? It’s sort of skin tone color shoes with white sole.
https://www.allbirds.com/products/mens-tree-runners?variant=2037758525447
The Kauri color would go with just about any color, its a light colored neutral. It would sit well under navy, olive, lighter blues, most shades of brown/tan among others
Super amazing! thank you so much for sharing
Seriously, no black shoes with tan-beige-khaki pants?