One, because they're brown, so you can take them formal to semi-formal settings and two, derby shoes aren't too formal anyway. They're just the right amount of ease in formal settings. And while ...

“no brown in town,” meaning you don’t wear brown shoes with a formal outfit. That rule has gone the way of hobnail boots. But when it comes to a job interview, you’ve got to be careful.

They’re also less formal (even fundamentally unserious ... It’s not like you can never wear brown dress shoes again. The right pair will look incredible with a nubby lightweight blazer ...