Brown shoes are always less dressy than black ... Men often ask, "While I know that the navy-blazer-and-gray-trousers combination clearly calls for black shoes, what color shoes would you wear ...

because if you wear a jacket and pants of a similar gray, you’ll look like the guy who grabbed two-mismatched suit separates off of the department store hangers. Once you understand that ...

A mottled grey flannel is beautiful with brown suede shoes, he says. After one or two pairs of solid grey trousers, consider a check pattern: houndstooth, or Prince of Wales plaid. A patterned ...

There is a movement toward brown shoes, I think, because they offer more potential in the patina department. Great brown shoes look luxurious. If the suit is dark gray, however, the shoes, if ...

brown shoes (particularly brown suede) would have been appropriate with a navy jacket. And now, not only must the black shoes go, but do away with the grey slacks as well: pair your blazer with jeans.

What shades of blue trousers are best when wearing light-brown or "cognac" shoes? — Drew Iacovazzi, West Hartford, Conn. With lighter-brown shoes, any pants that fall in the broad deep-navy-to ...

Our fashion critic discusses the evolution of dress codes, including how rules — like one discouraging brown shoes with blue or black trousers — can come in and out of favor. By Vanessa ...