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The 20 Best Tuxedo Shoes for Black Tie and Formal Functions
Put your best foot forward with these sharp-looking styles.
RECEIVING AN invitation to a black-tie wedding or any sort of formal event—opera, cocktail, or just a really demanding party—could make any guy break a sweat. Why? Because preparing all the apropos attires for formal occasions can be severe pain in and of itself. You’re either rushing to rent a tuxedo blazer last minute or dusting off the old wedding suit in your closet that desperately needs dry-cleaning, all the while re-watching YouTube videos to attempt to tie a bowtie with surgeon-like precision. And then there’s the item most guys leave as an afterthought: Tuxedo shoes.
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Tuxedo shoes are crucial to looking your best while channeling your inner James Bond. Often made with fine patent leather, the right tux arrives in the styles of loafers, derbies, oxfords, and hybrid leather sneakers—the modern take on formal footwear. The best tuxedo shoes for men will then round out all your sartorial efforts and let you look damn good from head to toe at whatever formal function you step foot in.
And to help you find the best formal dress shoes with timeless, universal appeal, check out the 20 best tuxedo shoes below to sport at your next black tie event—preferably with a martini in hand. Some are so fly that you might just outshine the groom.
Cole Haan Modern Classics Cap Toe Oxford
Cole Haan Modern Classics Cap Toe Oxford
Cole Haan is one of the OG shoemakers that design dress shoes with comfort at the top of mind. No wonder its tuxedo shoes both look and feel amazing, thanks to a mostly leather construction (including a footbed) that hugs your feet just right, so you can stand in these all night long.
Florsheim Tux Cap Toe Oxford
Florsheim Tux Cap Toe Oxford
A classic patent oxford is always a sure bet for tuxedo shoes with enduring style. Florsheim has been in the business of making stylish-yet-comfortable footwear since 1892, so you know your money is going towards a high-quality purchase.
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Calvin Klein Bernard Loafer
Calvin Klein Bernard Loafer
High-quality leather can make formal shoes extra expensive, but these faux patent leather stunners from Calvin Klein have the same stylish appeal for a price that won’t break the bank. Plus, the grosgrain detail is a nice touch.
Bruno Marc Faux Patent Leather Tuxedo Dress Shoes
Bruno Marc Faux Patent Leather Tuxedo Dress Shoes
Bruno Marc's dress shoes are all the rave on Amazon, and this one in particular really grabs the spotlight for all the right reasons. It's classic and glossy, comfortable and breathable, and despite being on the cheaper side, it's high-quality and durable.
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Del Toro Shoes Men's Black Velvet Slipper II
Del Toro Shoes Men's Black Velvet Slipper II
Handcrafted in Italy, these stunners from Del Toro are the perfect punctuation for a black tie ensemble. Is the wedding season over? No problem. These velvet slippers can be worn with jeans or trousers to elevate any look.
Hawes & Curtis Black Leather Tassel Loafer
Hawes & Curtis Black Leather Tassel Loafer
Is patent leather too shiny for your taste? But want something a bit more jazzed-up than your basic calf leather option? Hawes & Curtis' finely-grained leather loafers have an interesting textural detail that feels just right.
Charles Tyrwhitt Nubuck Hybrid Sneakers
Charles Tyrwhitt Nubuck Hybrid Sneakers
These days, you can pretty much wear anything with sneakers, including tuxedos. These lean, mean, and clean low-tops from Charles Tyrwhitt have a nice leather upper with a flexible rubber sole for a comfortable black tie look.
Read more: Best Dress Sneakers for Men
Alden Cordovan Plain Toe Blucher
Alden Cordovan Plain Toe Blucher
'Tis American shoemaking at its finest. In its unassuming shell cordovan leather (often used in high-end footwear) outer lies the understated luxury—the best kind—that'll break into your foot shape nicely and age gracefully.
Allen Edmonds Denali Derby
Allen Edmonds Denali Derby
This one is all about the contoured footbed for the most support and comfort while dancing ’til dawn. And since Allen Edmonds used 360º Bench Welt in the leather handcraft, it's worth the little splurge—hell, you might not even miss your favorite sneakers for at least one night.
Ted Baker Amaiss Formal Leather Brogue Shoes
Ted Baker Amaiss Formal Leather Brogue Shoes
It’s the small details that make this Ted Baker London option a big winner. Part finely textured leather, part patent leather, and all-around seriously sleek—what’s not to love?
Beckett Simonon Hoyt Monkstraps
Beckett Simonon Hoyt Monkstraps
A little strap goes a long way. The extra design detail here takes the oxford silhouette to the next level, without looking too over-the-top.
J.Crew Ludlow Derbys
J.Crew Ludlow Derbys
This less formal tuxedo shoe option will surely get plenty of wear after your black tie wedding event. Just make sure they’re perfectly polished for any big event or business meeting for a refined style.
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Suitsupply Black Tuxedo Slip-On
Suitsupply Black Tuxedo Slip-On
A suede tuxedo slip-on is as foolproof as it goes. Suitsupply makes it in a universally approved fashion, never-out-of-style look, and a no-brainer fit.
WANT Les Essentiels Core Montoro Leather Derby Shoes
WANT Les Essentiels Core Montoro Leather Derby Shoes
Meet your new go-to derby. Rendered in a minimalist lace-up profile with a signature rivet at the heel for just a bit of oomph, these Montoro derbies are understated footwear that'll chime in harmony with the rest of your outfit—whatever it is, whichever occasion it's for.
Ralph Lauren Anders Leather Driver
Ralph Lauren Anders Leather Driver
When you want to or can dress a bit down with your suits, driving shoes provide the poise and ease for the task. Ralph Lauren's Anders in its timeless moccasin silhouette also comes with an ornamental ring and a black strap to make your tuxedo fitting all the more fun.
Read More: Best Driving Loafers
Magnanni Madrid Venetian Loafer
Magnanni Madrid Venetian Loafer
Venetian loafer is one of the indispensable styles of tuxedo shoes. Marked by a smooth surface and lack of embellishments, it strikes a balance between dressy and casual. And we simply can't think of a better paragon f the style than Magnanni's Madrid.
Tecovas The Monterrey
Tecovas The Monterrey
The Western footwear virtuoso only has one style of dress shoes in its arsenal, and it is as handsome and smooth as any. Toning down on the cowboy flair but upping the sleek, bare-bone panache, the Monterrey provides comfort, great fit, good quality, and a lot of louche.
To Boot New York Brandon II Cap Toe Oxford
The best oxfords often demand quiet luxury made of a refined arch, long, slim cal toe, supple leather, and a clean-cut lace-up veneer. Hence, Brandon II is the best Oxford.
Kenneth Cole Tully Cap Toe Oxford
Kenneth Cole Tully Cap Toe Oxford
There are always a ton of small expenses (like a fresh haircut) that add up when prepping for a big formal event or wedding. If you’re looking to save some of your hard-earned cash, these Kenneth Cole cap-toe oxfords have the elegant, sophisticated look you want, but for an affordable price that makes them a no-brainer.
Ponto Obsidian
Ponto Obsidian
If there's ever a pair of shoes you can wear straight from a long stroll in the park to lounging at home to attending an opera at night, it's Ponto's Obsidian. A dress sneaker at heart, this hybrid between easy and dressy is also snug to wear for hours, and water-repellent.
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As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
Maverick Li is the Style & Commerce Editor of Men’s Health, where he covers clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.
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