These Are the Right Shoes to Wear With a Tux

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Here's the thing: We don't love talking about hard and fast style "rules" around here. In the current menswear landscape—expressive and ebullient and ever-changing as it is—it just doesn't seem like the right move. But if there had to be one real rule, it'd be to understand whatever style situation is at hand, and dress for it according to your best instincts. That's not to say you need to obsess over whether the traditionalists of the world will bestow your look with some stamp of propriety, but there's some very real value in understanding where the guideposts are, and veering out of them only with a degree of consideration.

Why this philosophical preamble? Because we're about to delve into the world of formalwear, where rules abound and some people take them very seriously. You don't need to do that; we're living in the era of wearing sneakers with suits and penny loafers with ripped jeans, after all. But if you're going to be wearing a tuxedo, you should probably skip the Jordan 11s and opt for a genuinely dressed-up shoe.

There's some flexibility with what kind of shoe you can wear with a dress shoe, as is par for the course when it comes to menswear. Patent pumps and lace-ups are the most formal and "proper" of choices, but you can also get away with smoking slippers and even classic calfskin oxfords. Whatever way your tux sways you, though, here are 18 of the best tuxedo shoe styles to try, whether you want to buck the rules or play by them.

Tux Plain-Toe Derby Shoes

A derby isn't the most formal of shoe shapes, but in patent leather, it takes on a whole new dimension.

Whiddon Cap Oxford Shoes

Not a fan of shine? Clarks offers derbies (mislabeled as oxfords) that'll pair nicely with a fitted tuxedo. Plus, these shoes feature Ortholite footbeds, which means you can dance the night away pain-free.

Dandelion Leather Loafers

The super-minimal upper is a nice counterpoint to Louboutin's signature red sole.

Patent Oxford Shoes

Slip these on with a tuxedo, and you're good to go. Simple and elegant.

Lenox Hill Cap Oxford Shoes

When it comes to comfortable dress shoes, Cole Haan is arguably the leader in the category. This derby (again, mislabeled as an oxford) is exactly what you want on your feet in the wee hours.

Paxton Velvet Slippers

The coolest of cool guys wear velvet slippers with their formalwear—something to really lean into the elegance of it all. PRL has a pair so lush and chic, you'll find yourself wanting to wear these with every outfit you have.

Tully Cap Toe Oxford Shoes

The price of oxfords, especially the best ones, can be steep. But if you're in the market for something affordable, Kenneth Cole has a sleek and shiny option that's up to snuff. And the hidden elastic panels make it easy to slip on and off.

Jordaan GG Velvet Loafers

From the embossed velvet with interlocking Gs to the classic horsebit detail, this loafer is opulent to the core. And that's pretty much what characterizes a tuxedo shoe.

Park Avenue Oxford Shoes

At all but the schmanciest of events, a well-polished pair of oxfords will do just fine. Plus, you can wear them with the rest of your wardrobe, too.

Induct Plain Toe Derby Shoes

Santoni's sleek derbies are just the sort of thing to sit under your (impeccably tailored) Italian trousers.

Downing-02 Oxford Shoes

If you're looking for a patent "leather" option, Bruno Marc has some shiny, snazzy dress shoes for under 50 bucks.

Black Tuxedo Slip-On Shoes

Another pair of slippers, this velvet pair is the sharp finish to your favorite tux.

Evening Velvet Loafers

If you have a velvet tux, these velvet loafers are going to be the icing on the cake. If you don't have a velvet tux—well, you'll just be happy to wear these damn soft shoes anyway.

Patent Dress Shoes

Classy and simple—just as it should be. This is a go-to, no-nonsense tuxedo shoe if ever we saw one.

Martin Burnished-Leather Loafers

These are loafers that go with every tux, for every occasion. A wedding, gala, or any other formal event is more than fitting for Tom Ford's luxe vibe.

Dale Cap Toe Monk Strap Shoes

The thick monk strap sets this apart from the usual dress shoe, but the polished finish and sleek shape ensure it's still classy enough for a tuxedo.

Rex Loafers

If you're in the market for some low-key—but still classy!—loafers, Donald Pliner has a pair to fit the bill. Don't worry about matching the metal of your cufflinks to a buckle on these, because there isn't one.

Suede-Trimmed Leather Backless Loafers

For the cool guy, a backless loafer is the ultimate "I'm chic and sleek but I don't really care" look. These are easy and comfy as slides, with a dope croc-effect and green suede trim.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to tuxedo shoes, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own formal fits. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these tuxedo shoes are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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