The 48 Dress Shoes You Need to Know in 2023

A great pair of dress shoes isn’t just a worthy investment, it’s a necessity. Sure, sneakers have their place, but there are times when even the best of ’em just won’t do. Whether it’s a wedding or a funeral, a job interview or a meeting with the head honchos from corporate, some occasions demand footwear that’s as refined as it is timeless. Although it’s definitely been a while, the time has come to bust out the sweetest pair of dress shoes in your arsenal again.

Indeed, there are options out there for every style. And when it comes to price, don’t be afraid of laying down a few extra bucks if you’re able. That doesn’t mean you have to spend outside your budget, but paying more for quality means you’ll have a pair of shoes you can wear for years down the line, not months.

And the best way to ensure you’re spending that money wisely? Know the playing field. That way you’ll find something that fits squarely within your wardrobe, and won’t hurt your wallet in the process. With that in mind, here are the eight definitive dress shoe styles—the oxford, derby, brogue, loafer, chukka, Chelsea boot, monk strap, and Venetian slipper—every guy needs to know now and always.

Oxfords

If you’re going to have just one pair of dress shoes in your closet, you should consider an oxford first. It’s the style that can go with your most formal options, so you’ll never be out of luck for a big work event—or if you have to throw on a tux. That’s thanks to the oxford’s “closed-throat” construction, in which the leather around the laces (the quarters) meets at the base, where it’s sewn into the vamp, the leather that stretches down your instep and towards the toe.

Honestly, though, you don’t have to spend too much time on the terminology. Just look at the top of the shoe, near the eyelets. Does it form a “V” instead of a set of parallel lines? You’ve got an oxford, and that sleek silhouette means your going to look properly pulled-together for any dressed-up occasion.

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Derbies

Derbies are technically a little less formal than oxfords, but don’t let that worry you too much. A good pair can work with just about any kind of suit (though maybe not a tux, if you’re going to be surrounded by black-tie traditionalists). Plus, the open-throat silhouette—the leather around the laces runs parallel, and over the vamp—can pull double duty with everything from jeans to tweed trousers. If you’re the kind of guy who wears a suit with some regularity, but also needs a pair of shoes on hand that’ll work for date night on the weekend, derbies won’t do you wrong.

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Brogues

When we’re talking brogues, we’re not talking about a silhouette, but the detailing that goes on top of it. The signature perforations were originally a functional thing, designed to let water drain out of the shoes worn to tromp through Irish bogs. Now, it’s ornamental, but still a mainstay of modern dress shoes.

You might also know brogues as wingtips, and there’s a good reason for that. Two of the main styles you’ll find have decorative “wings” fanning out from the toe of the shoe. With longwings, they wrap all the way around to the back of the shoe. With shortwings, they wrap to about mid-foot. Of course, you can also find brogueing on cap-toes and other design elements. And those elements might be on a pair of derbies, oxfords, monkstraps, or even ankle boots. With brogues, it’s all a matter of personal taste.

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Loafers

For a while there, some folks thought loafers were too casual to wear with a suit. Just ask your dad—or maybe your granddad. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Now, the slip-on style comes in shapes sleek and stylish enough to wear with even your sharpest two-button. Penny loafers and bit loafers are the iterations you’ll see the most often. On pennies, there’s a strap across the shoe with a cutout that, according to loafer lore, was designed to hold a penny (it probably wasn’t, though it’s still a fun story). Bit loafers feature a metal piece across the foot that’s purely for show, but still looks cool.

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Chukkas

Chukkas are kind of a wild card. Some are decidedly not meant for dressy occasions, and would be more at home at a construction site than in a boardroom. Others, though? They’re every bit as refined as the rest of the styles on this list. The trick is to focus on a streamlined silhouette and elevated construction. Generally, that means the shorter-than-average boots will have a narrower toe and clean lines leading up to an ankle that’ll sit nicely under a pair of suit trousers. Look for that, plus a not-too-chunky sole, and you’ll be in good shape.

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Chelsea Boots

From Queen Victoria to Mods to Daniel Craig, the Chelsea boot has been worn by the biggest British trendsetters. And though it was popularized by WASPs and named after an affluent neighborhood in London, the style has since become one of the most democratic and global shoes out there. It is an ankle-height boot usually made of leather or suede that can be worn in summer or winter, or on-duty or off-duty. The Chelsea boot especially looks great with a fitted suit with tapered trousers. Think the Beatles in the ’60s. Need we say more?

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Monk Straps

Not a fan of laces, but still want security? Look no further than the monk strap. The shoe is distinguished for either single or double straps (there are a few instances, however, when there are more) that fold over the vamp and are fastened at the ends by buckles. It reputedly originated in Europe during the 15th century, worn primarily by monks—hence its name. Several centuries later, particularly around the 1920s, the monk strap became the go-to shoe for gentlemen who, owing to history, preferred something reserved and elevated. And though that sentiment still holds true, in recent decades, many brands began to reinvent the style, casting their designs in exotic leathers and bold colors.

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Venetian Loafers

Unlike the penny or the horesbit (see above), the Venetian loafer can’t really go casual. Leisurely, perhaps, but not casual. It is the fanciest shoe around; the kind of style worn while smoking a Cuban with a glass of sherry, or to one of those dinners with place cards and an excessive amount of silverware. Some versions of the Venetian loafer are referred to as smoking or dinner slippers for this very reason. Distinguished by an upper—usually made of leather or velvet—that’s devoid of all flourishes, it’s shoe that shows luxury at its most pure and simple.

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Prop styling by Miako Katoh

Photography by Allie Holloway

Jonathan Evans

Jonathan Evans is the style director of Esquire, covering all things fashion, grooming, accessories, and, of course, sneakers. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son. You can follow him at @MrJonathanEvans on Twitter and Instagram.

Barry Samaha

Barry Samaha is the former style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covered all things fashion and grooming. Previously, he was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Surface, and WWD, along with overseeing editorial content at Tod’s Group. He has also written for The Daily Beast, Coveteur, Departures, Paper, Bustle Group, Forbes, and many more. He is based in New York City and can’t seem to find enough closet space for all his shoes. 

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Avidan Grossman

Avidan Grossman is the Style eCommerce Editor at Esquire, covering men’s fashion, shoes, grooming, and accessories. He spends way too much time deciding what to wear. Needless to say, his parents still have no idea what he does.