Brogues are definitely one of the high standard styles a man must have in his shoe collection. They are the classiest dress shoes that can pair with almost anything in your closet. The fact that they look smart and fashionable makes them unique in a nice way.
The perforations on top of brogues add a pleasant touch, making them suitable for different attires. Originally designed for the working class, leather brogues have evolved into versatile footwear for men over the decades.
Brogues usually have a low heel, characterised by a leathered top with serrations along its edges. These shoes can be accentuated with heel caps, toe caps, embellishments, laces, and more. With such a variety of designs, the obvious question that comes to mind is - what to wear brogues with?
This article will resolve all your queries and give you the best suggestions to flaunt your brogues perfectly. So, let’s dive into the details.
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Before jumping to the styling part, you should know a bit about the variations in brogues. Below is a detailed list of the most common and popular types of brogues:
Check out Escaro Royalé Wingtip London Brogues
Also known as full brogues, these types come in the W shape and a pointed toe cap with wings along the side of the shoe. These wings end before the ball of the foot, and that’s how the shoe got its name.
Wingtip shoes have perforations at the centre and along the edges of the top cap. If the shoe comes in a dual colour tone, you call it a ‘spectator shoe’, whereas a full brogue without perforations on the top cap is known as an ‘austerity brogue’. Those are pretty extravagant names, don’t you think?
Full brogues look good with fancy attires, like a wedding suit. You can also pair them with a pinstripe suit and pull off the vintage look. Go for a lighter shade like mellow brown or a faded chocolate shade.
Leather brogues will make you look fashionably suave while also giving off a chic vibe.
Check out Brown Designer Semi Brogue Shoes
Semi brogues are also known as half brogues as they feature a serrated and perforated edge along the bottom of the toe cap and in the centre. These shoes were crafted by the shoemaker John Lobb in 1937.
Semi brogues go best with tweed jackets and casual coats. You can also consider wearing semis if you want to sport a casual business look. Many wear semi brogues with dark-coloured denim, tees, and dark-toned blazers, and we’re not complaining!
This type of brogues have perforations running along the shoe’s edges with a straight toe cap. Quarters complement a formal look perfectly, say for a black-tie event or a high-profile business meet. You can pair them with a classic black tuxedo or regular three-piece suit.
Subtle colours like deep brown or a leather tone will look best, but if you want to experiment, you can pick a dark green or navy blue to stand apart from the crowd.
The next type is monk brogues, which have no lacing. Instead, they have straps or buckles to secure the shoe to the wearer’s feet. The shoe gets its name from its straps, also known as monk straps.
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Ghillie brogues aren’t worn often, but you can pull them off; they can add a cowboy charm to your look. Ghillies are tongueless with an open lacing system. This shoe type has long laces that you can wrap around your ankles and go up to your calves.
It is more traditional footwear, often worn with a kilt to highlight the lace pattern. You probably shouldn’t consider wearing it to a contemporary event, though.
Whether you’re new to the world of brogues or a seasoned player, the following tips will come in handy:
By now, you know about the different types of brogues and the tips to look great in one. Here are a few more tips on the colour shades and kinds of pants that go well with brogues. Let’s check them out:
If you’re thinking of putting on a brogue with your favourite pair of jeans, go for it. The best kind of jeans to wear with brogues are denim. A slim fit dark blue or black denim will complement a pair of brown or blue brogues. And, of course, black brogues. We all know that black looks good with anything.
For casual affairs, you can always pair chinos with classic brown brogues. As for pants, you can be slightly adventurous and try charming shades like teal, sea green, khaki, white, or even burgundy.
Brogues in a chocolate shade wouldn’t look bad with these colours. Try different colour combinations to figure out which one works best for you.
When you’re going for a formal look, you can try both the boot and shoe versions of brogues. For business formals, full brogues are an ideal match. But you can also add a little twist by wearing a quarter or a semi.
You can never go wrong with a shining, black quarter. It’ll make you look polished and bright. But if you’re going for a casual look, a spectator shoe might fit better.
These days, men are more adventurous and try suits in bright shades like pink and green. If you like to experiment, you can add some colour to your gentlemanly attire and be a head-turner.
Make sure you pick a brogue in a lighter shade to compliment your outfit. All that matters is how well you pull off your look.
BLACK MEDALLION WHOLECUT OXFORD
When pairing brogues with a tuxedo, it is recommended that you wear quarter brogues. The subtle yet stylish embellishments on the toe cap will accentuate the sophisticated cut of your suit without the distraction of any elaborate decorations.
To be more specific, go for single-toned leather brogues instead of suede or informal leathers. The simple design would bring out the true beauty of your attire, making you stand out in the crowd.
All said and done, we can agree that brogues are here to stay. A few years back, brogues weren’t considered appropriate for formal occasions. But with changing times, people’s taste in fashion has changed a great deal too.
At present, there is a whole range of combinations and varieties of brogues that can suit formal as well as casual occasions. So, don’t shy away from exploring styles because unless you try different things, how would you know what the best look for you is? Happy styling!
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