Shoes for blue Summer Wedding Suiit?

[DerekH]

Hello -- long time lurker, kind of a novice satorialist. I've got a wedding upcoming in May and I splurged on a blue (not Navy) Suit Supply suit for the occasion. It is very similar to this one in hue, but not herringbone (more a real light check, also a thinner wool).



I've never owned a suit this color of blue so I'm struggling with what best to wear with it; specifically I'm trying to figure out a pair of shoes to buy to complement it in the sub-$200 range. I've thought about bucks, but I don't know if those would work with the blue and this summer wedding theme. I know brown shoes will match, but what style of brown shoe would be good?

If you have any tie suggestions, I'm game for ideas there too. :/

[LosRockets]

Walnut/tan colored shoes. Look for a pair of Allen Edmonds Strands on Ebay. You could also find Walnut Players for probably a bit less but they're bluchers (open lacing, like the guy in your pic is wearing, traditionally considered less formal) and not balmorals (closed lacing). Great color by the way!

[DXLi]

Medium or medium-dark brown is the safest bet unless you're going to be surrounded by people who haven't signed up for the new millennium yet. The type of shoe depends on how formal you want to be. The suit is pretty versatile, so you can dress it up or down. If you're dressing down, you can safely get away with something as informal as loafers, especially in the US. If you're dressing it up, you can't go wrong with some cap-toe oxfords or maybe the simple brown Blucher that Joe loves.

You can also get away with black, but I personally think it's a weird look. If you're going black, I'd pick a single-strap monk because I like the look, it's versatile, and it makes you look like you know what you're doing.

Burgundy and certain types of grays will work, too.

Remember that bucks are casual, so they only work if you're dressing down. If you go with bucks, go with a neutral, darker color. Brown, gray, etc.

As for the rest of the ensemble, go with a white spread-collar shirt and a simple tie in a medium width. If you've got a date, consider coordinating the tie color to her eyes or outfit (SUBTLY). Your job is to make your date and the wedding party look good by not looking like a slob.

[DerekH]

Thanks for the quick help!!

I'd love to grab some of the AE's but it doesn't look like there's any size 12s on ebay right now I'd want to grab (or they're from some back order specialist and will take 4-8 weeks). Retail price is definitely outside my budget.

I do own a pair of these from Generic Man, which I guess would be OK:



The wedding's at the beach (but not outside) with a nice mix of 20-30 somethings, so my thinking was I could casual it up some (hence the bucks thought). I definitely don't want to do a pair of black shoes...

[DXLi]

Those shoes are very versatile. If the wedding's on a beach, then casual is definitely the name of the game. Have you talked to someone in the wedding party to determine what they're wearing? Make sure the suit doesn't make you look more formal than the wedding party. If the suit is in, consider a breathable white shirt (maybe a linen blend) with a knit tie (navy if you want to be safe and a brighter color if you want some risk). Can't go wrong with that look in the summer.

[DerekH]

Have you talked to someone in the wedding party to determine what they're wearing?

Wedding Party is doing tuxedos, which is surprising since the reception is half inside / half outside (dance floor is outside). I think I'm OK whichever way I want to play -- styling up or down. I'd prefer down to be a little more fun with it.

[DXLi]

Tuxedos on the beach? Huh. That's kinda weird, which is a boon for you, because it means you can pretty much do whatever!

[Vicious49]

Here's me with my navy blue Thompson suit and walnut strands during my wedding day last year.

[bruschetta]

I've got a wedding upcoming in May and I splurged on a blue (not Navy) Suit Supply suit for the occasion. It is very similar to this one in hue, but not herringbone (more a real light check, also a thinner wool).

…I've never owned a suit this color of blue so I'm struggling with what best to wear with it; specifically I'm trying to figure out a pair of shoes to buy to complement it in the sub-$200 range.

Good choice in a suit. It's a hard colour to pull off, but I think that you'll stand out in a good way.

Walnut/tan colored shoes. Look for a pair of Allen Edmonds Strands on Ebay. You could also find Walnut Players for probably a bit less but they're bluchers (open lacing, like the guy in your pic is wearing, traditionally considered less formal) and not balmorals (closed lacing). Great color by the way!

No. To everything here. Sorry, Los.

Medium or medium-dark brown is the safest bet.

…you can safely get away with something as informal as loafers, especially in the US. If you're dressing it up, you can't go wrong with some cap-toe oxfords

You can also get away with black, but I personally think it's a weird look. If you're going black, I'd pick a single-strap monk because I like the look, it's versatile, and it makes you look like you know what you're doing.

As for the rest of the ensemble, go with a white spread-collar shirt and a simple tie in a medium width.

I agree with DXLi that medium-dark brown is the best shoe choice. However, loafers would be a very bad choice. Brown cap-toe oxfords will be far more presentable, and will be versatile enough that you'll get frequent use out of them in the future. Monk-straps are hideous with suits. I agree with the spread-collar shirt; both light blue and white would work.

I do own a pair of these from Generic Man, which I guess would be OK:

Derek, I'll be honest and say that most people at the wedding probably won't notice your shoes. However, these are unattractive and too casual to pair with the suit you posted.

[greg_s]

Medium brown is your safest bet for a shoe to get a lot of wear. Despite what bruschetta says (ah I love when I get to say that), a walnut shoe would look excellent with that color of blue.

[DerekH]

Derek, I'll be honest and say that most people at the wedding probably won't notice your shoes. However, these are unattractive and too casual to pair with the suit you posted.

Medium brown is your safest bet for a shoe to get a lot of wear. Despite what bruschetta says (ah I love when I get to say that), a walnut shoe would look excellent with that color of blue.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Truly.

Do you have any suggestions for some brands that would have a good brown leather oxford around $200? I know AE is the preferred brand of just about everyone, but some guidance for something that a notch below would be really helpful.

[DXLi]

You can try AE factory seconds by calling their outlet store. Factory seconds are shoes with minor imperfections. Otherwise: http://dappered.com/2012/05/the-best...s-under-200-2/

[RiveDroit]

DSW would also be a good place to look. It might be a good time to try some sub $200 double monks.

[yoyorobbo]

I personally think you'd be fine with those shoes you posted (the walnut-ish bluchers). Look, we're talking about a partially-beached wedding here. Unless you are looking to fill a hole in your shoe arsenal going forward, and have the extra cash to spare, then I bet you will be just fine if you wear those. They look VERY similar, IMO (not *identical - don't call me out on that), to the AE Kenilworth (just the lighter hued version than most folks around here have and love). And although yes, a more formal oxford (closed-lace) AE option would most likely be a better choice and a better shoe altogether, I don't think you have to go buy some new ones just for this wedding. My two cents. If you're looking for new shoes anyway, then of course, go big and spend away! That's the fun part. Either way, enjoy yourself at the event.

[LosRockets]

@bruschetta - no hard feelings!