How Do You Polish Dress Shoes?

You want your wedding day shoes to be in tip-top shape for your big day. To polish dress shoes, Cuini recommends using a “soft cloth and a lot of elbow grease” along with some shoe polish. Since not all shoes and brands are alike, it’s important to be aware of the care instructions to ensure proper cleaning and polishing of dress shoes.

Do You Match Your Socks to Your Dress Shoes?

While we encourage you to wear whatever you feel most "you" in, it's traditionally recommended you should in fact match your socks to your pants, not to your dress shoes. When your socks match your shoes rather than your pants, it may make your dress shoes look disproportionate to the rest of your attire. However, in formal occasions, you should match your dress shoes with your belt.

The 15 Best Dress Shoes for Men of 2023

Brides / Lecia Landis

When putting together the ideal wedding attire—whether it be as a guest or for your nuptials—your dress shoes should never be an afterthought. Shoes are a way to bring personality to any outfit and formalwear is no different. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with a colorful pair of oxford shoes or want something more sophisticated and classy to tie your look together, dress shoes offer up a lot more versatility than you might think.

Selecting the right dress shoe comes down to two factors: Style and fit. Choosing a dress shoe that fits both your fashion and your sole is the secret sauce to finding your perfect pair. From the classics to the style show stoppers, we hunted down the best dress shoes to help you on your search for the right pair.

Ahead, the best dress shoes, expert advice from shoe designer Enrico Cuini, and some frequently asked questions.

Our Top Picks

Best Patent Leather:

Charles Tyrwhitt Patent Oxford Shoes at Charlestyrwhitt.com

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Best Budget:

Nordstrom Dax Plain Toe Derby at Nordstrom

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Best Classic:

Magnanni Segovia Cap Toe Oxford at Neiman Marcus

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Best High-Shine:

Magnanni Dante Patent Leather Derby at Dellamoda.com

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Best Loafers:

Gucci Jordaan Horsebit Loafer at Nordstrom

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Best Cap Toe:

Beckett Simonon Dean Oxfords at Beckettsimonon.com

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Best Drivers:

Gucci Men's Driver with Web at Gucci.com

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Best Penny Loafers:

Hermès Bob Loafer at Hermes.com

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Best Boat Shoes:

Sperry Authentic Original Boat Shoe at Amazon

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For an Outdoor Event:

Timberland Stormbucks Waterproof Oxford Shoes at Zappos

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Charles Tyrwhitt

View On Charlestyrwhitt.com

For the groom or wedding guest who is looking to add a touch of elegance to their wedding look, these patent leather oxford shoes are the ultimate dressy design. Made of 100 percent leather with a glossy patent finish, these dress shoes pair beautifully with a timeless tuxedo yet are versatile enough to wear dressed down with a dinner jacket.

Price at time of publish: $199

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

With their minimalist design and under $100 price tag, these budget-friendly dress shoes are a great choice for someone looking for a pair of dress shoes that won’t break the bank and can be worn all wedding season long.

Price at time of publish: $100

Bergdorf Goodman

View On Neiman Marcus View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

You can’t go wrong with a classic oxford dress shoe. For the groom whose personal style is timeless and sleek, these cap toe dress shoes exude luxury with rich Italian leather and a gorgeous satin finish.

Price at time of publish: $450

Dellamoda

View On Dellamoda.com

For maximum shine, these patent leather derby dress shoes take the (wedding) cake. Their liquid-shine effect gives them a touch of elegance and sparkle and, for the groom that wants something blue, their burnside blue sole is a nice added touch.

Price at time of publish: $345

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue

It’s hard not to think of Gucci when we think of loafers. For the groom looking to invest in an iconic piece of fashion, these Horsebit Loafers are it for us. The design itself first debuted in the 1950s, proving just how timeless this style is. Plus, with just the right amount of shine and comfort, these loafers can be dressed up for the ceremony and celebration, then worn time and time again with more casual ensembles after the big day.

Price at time of publish: $920

Beckett simonon

View On Beckettsimonon.com

When shopping for the best cap toe dress shoe, you can’t go wrong with a selection that is as sleek as it is timeless. These oxfords from Beckett Simonon are designed to get better with age and made with genuine leather conditioned with shea butter and carnauba wax for a gorgeous, buttery, natural-looking shine.

Price at time of publish: $350

Gucci

View On Gucci.com

When it comes to wedding-appropriate driver shoes, you want something high-quality and made from leather with just the right amount of shine. These from Gucci check all those boxes, plus they are inspired by a class Gucci style, giving them a timeless feel.

Price at time of publish: $720

HermÃ¨s

View On Hermes.com

With their Hermès H sprawled across the top, these loafers put a high fashion spin on the classic penny loafer. Made from natural calfskin leather with a gray rubber sole for added comfort, these wedding day dress shoes are a great selection for the groom who prefers casual with a dash of sophistication.

Price at time of publish: $890

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Basspro.com

You can’t say boat shoes without thinking of Sperry and we love their Original Boat Shoe for a casual wedding ensemble. Available in seven colors, including a rich all-black hue that would pair well with a dinner jacket and trousers, these boat shoes made our list for their iconic design and maximum comfort.

Price at time of publish: $100

Stormbucks Plain Toe Oxford 137 items found Have Feedback?

Timberland

View On Zappos

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. For an outdoor wedding, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for a shift in weather patterns, and these waterproof oxfords can ensure your feet stay dry all evening long. Designed in a classic oxford silhouette and specifically with stormy weather in mind, no one would ever know these waterproof dress shoes are like the rain boots of wedding attire. Plus, they’re made with eco-conscious materials, which we love.

Price at time of publish: $130

Allen Edmonds

View On Allenedmonds.com

For the groom with flat feet, these are the shoes to slip into. Designed with CustomCork™ insole forms for added sole support, these dress shoes keep feet feeling comfortable without sacrificing style. As a bonus, these dress shoes are also weatherproof and designed with special German waterproof leather and waterproof membrane lining to keep soles from getting soaked on a rainy wedding day.

Price at time of publish: $395

Dr. Martens

View On Drmartens.com

There’s nothing more timeless than personal style. For the punk groom who wants a pair of dress shoes that feels like an extension of them, these Dr. Martens oxford shoes are sleek enough to pass as wedding day dress shoes.

Price at time of publish; $130

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

For the eco-friendly groom or wedding guest, these responsibly made dress shoes are carbon neutral certified to maintain zero-percent net carbon emissions.

Price at time of publish: $180

Amazon

View On Amazon

For a groom with a serious sneaker obsession, these dress shoe-inspired sneakers are a way to elevate your style and add a touch of that obsession to wedding day attire. Designed with PerfectFit knit lining for extra flexibility and comfort and enough cushioning to break it down on the dance floor, these dress shoe sneakers keep it classy.

Price at time of publish: $140

Ariat Heritage Leather Cowboy R-Toe Boot

Amazon

View On Amazon

With so many designs and styles to choose from, selecting a pair of cowboy boots for a wedding can be a challenge. The key is to go for an original design that is sleek and sophisticated, like these Heritage Boots from Ariat. Made with genuine leather and stylized with six stitch embroidery, these cowboy boots bring the yeehaw to the altar.

Price at time publish: $160

Meet the Expert

Enrico Cuini is a luxury shoe designer and co-founder of his eponymous label Enrico Cuini.

What to Look for in a Pair of Dress Shoes

Style

While there aren't a ton of different dress shoe designs out there, there are plenty of style options to choose from. And, you want to find a dress shoe that feels like you—not just you in a pair of dress shoes. We want our shoes to feel like an extension of us and if traditional cap toes and wingtips aren’t for you, Cuini says that’s okay. “Loafers can be considered dress shoes if they are made with high-quality leather and properly polished."

Fit

Fit is a necessary thing to consider when purchasing shoes, especially dress shoes. After all, you are going to wear (read: dance in) them all night, and possibly all season, too. With a higher-priced purchase like dress shoes, it's best to measure your feet and compare your measurements against the brand's size guide. Keep in mind size guides across brands can differ—just because you're a size 11 in Cole Haan shoes doesn't necessarily mean you'll be the same size in Nordstrom dress shoes. Plus, take into account that some brands don't carry half sizes, for example, or that they may produce in EU, IT, or UK sizing, rather than US.

Unlike sneakers, Cuini says “dress shoes will feel much snugger” and that it is important that they “fit without any slipping or sliding inside the shoes.” Wearing properly fitted dress shoes “will allow you to wear them throughout the entire evening or event,” explains Cuini.

FAQ

How Do You Polish Dress Shoes?

You want your wedding day shoes to be in tip-top shape for your big day. To polish dress shoes, Cuini recommends using a “soft cloth and a lot of elbow grease” along with some shoe polish. Since not all shoes and brands are alike, it’s important to be aware of the care instructions to ensure proper cleaning and polishing of dress shoes.
Do You Match Your Socks to Your Dress Shoes?

While we encourage you to wear whatever you feel most "you" in, it's traditionally recommended you should in fact match your socks to your pants, not to your dress shoes. When your socks match your shoes rather than your pants, it may make your dress shoes look disproportionate to the rest of your attire. However, in formal occasions, you should match your dress shoes with your belt.

Why Trust Byrdie

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Journalism and a thing for shoes. She believes that shoes are an extension of personality and self-expression. Why should that not also apply to your wedding day look? When it comes to her wedding shoe taste, Jessie loves a classic cap toe oxford or something that leans into the whole personal style component—like Ariat cowboy boots or Dr. Martens Oxfords. They might not be the more obvious choices for a wedding day ensemble but you’ll never regret dressing like yourself on your big day.

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