Whether you’re at the altar yourself or celebrating with a loved one this Summer, your wedding shoes can bring your entire suit together, as well as make the occasion a whole lot more comfortable. In this month's Edit we’re sharing our top tips for choosing the perfect wedding shoes and exploring the perfect colour combinations for the big day.
When selecting your shoes for the big day, there are a lot of factors to consider:
First, think about the venue & formality: is the wedding in a church or stately home, in a garden or at the beach? With this in mind your suit style as well as the seasonality will follow - your suit cut should be appropriate for the event, and your shoes should compliment that choice. Finally, and importantly, is comfort & ensuring your shoes are the correct fit: you’ll be wearing them all day (and night), so from aisle to dance floor. Here are some additional points to consider:
The colour and style of shoes you choose can depend on what suit you’re wearing. For example black-tie generally requires black leather shoes and pairs best with an Oxford or Derby, with many brands like Crockett & Jones, Church’s & Edward Green working well here. In the same vein a three-piece suit generally calls for a leather black or dark brown shoe. Two-piece suits however provide more versatility and therefore more options to choose from, matching with Oxfords & Derbys in more colours, as well as Brogues, wing-tips, toe-caps or even loafers.
There are plenty of classic styles out there, but here are a few of our recommendations based on the different kinds of occasions:
Black tie & formal weddings: For smart and traditional weddings, a narrower shoe with a more pointed toe tends to work best. The classic Oxford is a versatile choice. A sleek, timeless silhouette, black pairs can be shined to compliment black tie and tails, or go slightly more casual with brown if you’re wearing a classic suit in grey or navy.
Countryside & outdoor ceremonies: If the setting is outdoors or more relaxed than black tie, consider a derby, brogues or even formal boots, which lend themselves to a smart yet slightly less formal feel than the Oxford, for suits of all styles.
Summer weddings or occasions abroad: A more contemporary option, brogues & loafers work well with summer tailoring and linen, as well as open collars if the style is a little cooler.
Statement footwear: If you’re looking to stand out and show a little more style in a traditional setting, a pair of Monk Strap shoes, pumps or tassel loafers can work well to make a statement in a subtle way.
A final point that shouldn’t be forgotten is the material. While for black tie events leather is recommended (with patent leather if you’re looking for a shiny finish), with less traditional weddings there are plenty of other options if you’re looking for something more relaxed, such as suede or even nubuck for a Summer wedding where you may be wearing tweed or linen.
When choosing your shoes, there is some important guidance around basic principles of formal wear that will help to ensure your suit & footwear compliment each other and bring the outfit together. Our tip at Abbot’s is to think about the warmth of your suit, and match your shoes appropriately. As a general rule of thumb, your shoes should be darker than your suit, though there can be some exceptions depending on the suit and material. Here’s how to choose the best shoe colour for your suit:
With a smart black suit, keep it consistent with black shoes — perfect for traditional or black-tie weddings. There are of course different shines & materials available here, from a shiny patent leather to a standard leather with an added shine. A black suit shouldn’t ever be worn with brown shoes.
Navy suits can be worn formally or in a more relaxed setting, so you have plenty of options for footwear - but they should be worn with black, brown or oxblood shoes. Black is a versatile option, but if you’re looking to bring some warmth to a cooler colour such as for more informal weddings, brown shoes are a great choice for more personality. As a general rule try to match the shade to your suit: lighter brown and tan shoes suit a lighter blue, and vice versa.
When it comes to grey, it’s important that you consider matching the shade. As for black suits, dark greys shouldn’t be worn with brown shoes - dark shoes like black or possibly oxblood work best. However, with lighter shades of grey, tan, brown or oxblood shoes are the best match, owing to a warmer tone which works well for Summer weddings.
Brown, Beige or Cream: Light Tan or Brown & Loafers
Light brown suits are best in a summer or outdoor setting, and as such pair best with warm coloured shoes like tan, brown or even suede loafers which have earthier tones. With a darker brown suit, follow the same rule as for grey and match by tone: a black or dark brown shoe here normally works best.
We stock a wide range of brands that blend timeless design with modern craftsmanship — the majority of which are handmade in the United Kingdom or Europe. The majority of shoemakers today have diversified their collections to offer every well known style, so we recommend choosing based on the material and colour first and foremost. However, we can offer some additional guidance if you want to understand the brands better:
English brands like Loake, Crockett & Jones, Church’s: Classic Northampton craftsmanship means traditional shoes like Oxfords & Derbys.
Italian brands such as Santoni, Berluti & Brunello Cuccinelli: Italian flair works well for Monk Straps & brogues.
American brands like Alden, Allen Edmonds & J.M. Weston: Quality footwear that pioneered the loafer as well as smart boot styles.
At Abbot’s we only select the finest shoemakers, so you can trust that any option we stock will be a comfortable, quality choice.
Wedding shoes can make a great outfit, but they don’t have to just be for the big day. With the right pair you’ll have shoes that can be worn day to day at work or for numerous other events. Invest in a well-made pair and choose a colour that harmonises with your overall look. At Abbot’s, we believe in quality shoes that last so they can be worn again and again, no matter the occasion.
Whether you’re at the altar yourself or celebrating with a loved one this Summer, your wedding shoes can bring your entire suit together, as well as make the occasion a whole lot more comfortable. This month we’re sharing our top tips for choosing the perfect wedding shoes and exploring the perfect colour combinations for the big day.
For this instalment of The Abbot’s Edit, we’re exploring an integral yet often under-appreciated part of keeping a pair of maintaining the look & feel of a great pair of shoes for many years: the Shoe Tree.
For our first edit we're taking a look at a seasonal silhouette with an international story. The loafer is a timeless symbol of ease, elegance, and enduring style—but its story begins in some unexpected places, and in fact its origins are disputed.
