How to Match Shoes with Your Outfit – Men’s Style Guide

The shoes you decide to wear have either the potential to enhance or ruin the look of your overall outfit. While many men focus on what they wear, they often neglect their footwear, which is the final piece of the overall outfit puzzle. Whether you are dressing for school, work or for a casual outing, knowing how to pair shoes with your outfit is essential in creating a finished appearance.

This quick guide will assist you in making an informed decision about matching sneakers and shoes with your outfit for the multitude of occasions that you may find yourself in throughout the course of your daily life.

Start with Color Coordination:

The first thing someone will notice will often be the color of whatever you may have on.

Here are a few ‘simple’ rules that every man should follow:

All White Sneakers → Can be worn with nearly anything
All Black Shoes → Can be worn with darker coloured outfits
Brown Shoes → Can be worn with earthy colours
Beige or Cream Sneakers → For light summer outfits

If you are unsure, sticking to the Neutral colour palette is usually a very safe bet because they will blend with most wardrobes and give a nice clean look.

Matching Shoes with Jeans:

Jeans will most likely be one of the most commonly worn pieces of clothing in any man’s wardrobe in Pakistan.

If your jeans are blue:

Wearing white shoes will give you a bright clean look
Wearing all black shoes (or sneakers) will create contrast
Wearing ‘chunky’ shoes will create a streetwear look and give added bulk to your overall look

If your jeans are Black:

Wearing white shoes will give you an element of contrast to your shoes and your jeans
Wearing black shoes will provide you with an element of sleekness due to the fact that you will be wearing everything black (head to toe)
Wearing retro type shoes (Adid Samba style) will pair much better with narrower/baggy cuts of denim than they will with skinny fits.

Matching Shoes with Shalwar Kameez:

Fashion has changed a great deal in urban centres (e.g., Karachi and Lahore). Nowadays, many men are even pairing up white trainer shoes with casual shalwar kameez for a contemporary style. Here are some things to consider when trying to create that look:

Keep It Basic:

Wear white trainers that are as minimalistic as possible
Avoid oversized shoes
Go for slim fit shoes
Combining the above points creates a good balance between traditional and modern styles.

Matching Shoes with Formal or Smart Casual Outfits:

Business/Casual Attire/Events:

Wear a minimalistic leather shoe with chinos
Black shoes look best with dark coloured trousers
Brown shoes work great with navy or light brown coloured trousers
Do not wear sport type or heavily branded shoes with business/casual attire. Clean lined and simple will always present a more professional look.

Understanding Occasion Matters:

When coordinating your footwear, you should take into consideration the occasion.

University → Chunky / casual shoes
Work → Minimalistic or leather shoes
Weddings → Clean white or well-polished brown shoes
Travel → Comfortable cushioned shoes
Casual gatherings → Retro or trendy shoes

Wearing shoes typically worn in a gym setting to a formal dinner will ruin your complete look.

Balance the Outfit Proportion:

When wearing skinny clothing, choose shoes with a slim fit
When wearing oversized clothing, choose a wider and higher shoe
Example: Basketball style shoes (i.e. Nike Dunk) would fit nicely with the style of an oversized streetwear outfit
Balance your outfits. Ensure that your shoes are complimenting your outfits

Keep Them Clean:

Doesn’t matter how much money you spent on your shoes; if they are dirty then it will lessen your appearance attitude.

Clean your white soles frequently!
Don’t wear bright coloured sneakers in the rain/mud.
Store your shoes properly; They will look like a million bucks!

Final Thoughts:

Finding shoes to match your outfit can be simple! Focus on these points while shopping for shoes:

Colour Coordination
Occasion Appropriate
Dressing in proportion with the rest of your outfit
Clean and nicely cared for shoes.

If you match these points when choosing your shoe, they can add a whole different element of style to even the most basic outfit. If you feel good wearing what you buy, then you have more confidence when you put them on!

-15%