Can You Wear Brown Dress Shoes With Black Pants?

The classic rule of thumb is to avoid wearing black pants with brown shoes, and while this is a pretty good rule to keep in mind, breaking it can add a whole new dimension to your look.

Styling this controversial contrast correctly is not quite so black and white. If you do it well though, combining classy brown shoes with jet-black pants can make for a killer combo.

In this article, we’ll consider which style of pants to wear brown shoes with, investigate the importance of tone and contrast and take a look at what not to wear, so you can dress for success and avoid a frightful fashion faux pas.

How To Make It Work: Styling Brown Dress Shoes With Black Pants

The first thing to understand when working with black and brown is that it isn’t just black and brown. The type of pants, the style of shoe, the shade of brown, and the accessories you choose all play a role in how well your outfit plays out. 

Choose The Right Pant And Shoe Style

Types of pants that work with brown shoes

Any black trousers, apart from leisure and sportswear, will work with brown shoes. Keep in mind though that different types of pants have different rules.

• Black jeans – due to the inherent casual quality of jeans, they are the easiest black pants to pair with brown shoes. Go for a straight leg, cuff them, and avoid wearing pointed formal shoes. Instead opt for smart shoes with a rounded toe to balance yourself out. For an edgier look, pair dark brown boots with black skinny jeans. 
• Black chinos – chinos are the middle ground between formal attire and everyday wear. For shoes, select lighter shades of brown or tan. For a more relaxed look, go for loafers. If you want a slightly more refined vibe, opt for an oxford or derby. 
• Black dress pants – for everyday office attire, wear polished brown oxfords, brogues, or monk straps with your black slacks. Opt for medium brown shoes for just the right contrast.

Types of brown shoes that work with black pants

Brown is an incredibly versatile color but if you want to make the most of the black pants and brown shoe contrast, it is best to understand which type of shoes makes the outfit. 

• Oxford shoes – this formal shoe elicits a classical elegance. Front-laced with a slim body, brown oxfords are a clever way to inject a little personality into your more formal attire. Caramel, light camel, or dark tan shoes pair well with smart black pants. Keep them polished though, scuffed brown shoes will not create the contrast you crave.
• Brogues – brogues are not so much a style of shoe but any shoe decorated with broguing detail. The perforations on brown brogues look black, tying this type of shoe incredibly well with black pants. Traditional brown brogues work well with formal trousers, while a contemporary twist will pair brown brogue boots with black chinos or jeans.
• Loafers – brown loafers walk that thin line between smart and casual, meaning you can pair them with just about anything. Medium or lighter shades of brown or tan creates a statement contrast when paired with semi-formal black pants like chinos, without socks.
• Monk straps – a statement shoe with one or two buckled straps instead of laces, monk straps offer a contemporary look to your outfit. Go for a cognac shoe here, with jeans or chinos.
• Chukka boots – chukka boots are a good choice for guys wearing cuffed black pants, like chinos or jeans. Alternatively, the lace-up front makes them an ideal boot choice to be worn beneath formal black pants during winter months or in wet weather. For more formal wear, stick to the medium shades and avoid the more casual, statement combination of tan shoes and black pants.
• Chelsea boots – versatile but a bit of a gray area,chelsea boots come in many different styles. Following the same rule as chukka boots, stick to dark brown shoes for more formal wear. Cuff black jeans for a strip of pale denim to unite the brown shoes with black pants or rest slim fit black pants like chinos on the raised edge of these brown shoes for a smart casual outfit.

Understand contrast

When understanding how to wear brown shoes with black pants there is one key rule: contrast is your friend. 

If you choose to wear brown shoes with black pants, stick to lighter shades of brown, or tan shoes, to create a clear, stylistic contrast with the jet-black pants. Understand each tone below:  

• Light brown shoes – light brown or tan shoes create the most severe contrast with black pants. So, when wearing this combo, you must do so carefully – consider cuffing your black jeans, using the pale denim underside to lessen the contrast between the two. 
• Medium brown shoes –  medium brown shoes are the easiest shade to wear with black pants. The contrasting tones of medium brown and black work well together, creating an effortless, elegant look.   
• Dark brown shoes – dark brown shoes offer the least amount of contrast – they are a bit too close to black in color to look right. This is the most difficult contrast to pull off, though it can be done by wearing slim, dark brown boots with tighter-fit black jeans, or even slim-fit chinos for an edgier look.

Wear matching brown accessories

If you wear brown shoes with black pants, make a feature of them and accentuate the contrast. Add brown shades at the top with a necktie; in the middle with a belt, and at the bottom, with the shoes. 

Use black socks to ease the pants into contrasting brown shoes, and add accessories like a brown wristwatch to complete the look.

Try a blue or white shirt

Wearing brown shoes correctly relies on enhancing the contrast with an intermediary shade, such as a blue shirt, to lessen the severity of the contrast. 

Try a light blue or navy blue shirt to even out the color palette, or wear a white shirt for a clean, crisp vibe. Avoid wearing a black shirt if possible, as it may throw off the balance and ruin your whole look. 

When To Avoid Brown Shoes With Black Pants: White Tie & Black Tie

Black tie and white tie events are formal occasions, during which a traditional black tuxedo must be worn with a black or a white tie. At these events, you must wear a black tuxedo or full evening tails. 

To maintain the monochrome look, you have to wear black shoes. Brown shoes are never an acceptable alternative, and will make you look like you don’t belong at the event. 

Feel Your Best In Every Outfit

Wearing brown shoes with black pants is an excellent way to elevate your everyday style. With pant and shoe style, contrast, and accessories in mind, you have all the ingredients for an effortlessly elegant look. 

Complete your look with underwear that enhances your outfit, too. A fitted microfiber undershirt  can streamline your body, regulate your temperature, and protect your clothing from sweat stains and odor, so you look and feel your best at every event. Check out our collection of undershirts to find your perfect fit.

About Leigh McKenzie

Leigh is the owner of UnderFit, a premium men's undershirt brand based in Philadelphia, PA. You can follow Leigh on LinkedIn and Twitter.