Brown Suit with Black Shoes?
Discussion
gavstar said:I'm no Paul Smith by any means - but a brown suit with black shoes sounds revolting! Could possibly depend on the shade of brown but I ain't so sure!
Attention, fellow style-conscious PHers! What are your opinions on pairing a brown pin stripe suit with black shoes in the office? The traditional view is that a brown suit can only be worn with brown shoes, but is this still relevant today?
apologies to anyone who's just looked down and noticed that they are wearing that combo
yes, brown should only be used with brown. If you are going to match it with black shoes, you might as well add white sports socks to the ensemble.. and a short sleeve shirt.
I once worked beside a guy who came to work one day with one black lace up shoe and one brown slip on (it was a brown cord suit). he must have known, but no one in the office could bring themselves to ask if he was aware of his wardrobe faux-pas. It still haunts me now years later.
I once worked beside a guy who came to work one day with one black lace up shoe and one brown slip on (it was a brown cord suit). he must have known, but no one in the office could bring themselves to ask if he was aware of his wardrobe faux-pas. It still haunts me now years later.
johnboymac said:
yes, brown should only be used with brown. If you are going to match it with black shoes, you might as well add white sports socks to the ensemble.. and a short sleeve shirt.
Conversely, I say wear what you like and don't worry about it. It's only the office after all.
When I was a trainee I was told that, under no circumstances, would I be let in the building if I was wearing a brown suit!
My view - stick to dark blue and grey - and get a decent tailor to make them if you are not a regular shape - people think tailor made suits are very expensive but they are actually comparable to the price of a designer label. They also last a fair bit longer and hold their shape better.
Shoes - Black Oxfords all the time.
>> Edited by J-Skid on Wednesday 12th January 11:37
My view - stick to dark blue and grey - and get a decent tailor to make them if you are not a regular shape - people think tailor made suits are very expensive but they are actually comparable to the price of a designer label. They also last a fair bit longer and hold their shape better.
Shoes - Black Oxfords all the time.
>> Edited by J-Skid on Wednesday 12th January 11:37
If one day you find yourself in the street wearing a brown pinstripe suit and black shoes, you need to go back into the store and slap that lovely kind faced lady who advised you to buy them.
Don't worry too much about being caught. There are no security staff or cctv cameras in the Oxfam shop.
Don't worry too much about being caught. There are no security staff or cctv cameras in the Oxfam shop.
I was looking at being a corporate "suit" once and went to the 3 day interview wearing a brown suit. Everyone was in charcoal grey and blue or white shirts.
According to the image consultant, brown shoes are seen as a left wing, non business like. Brown suits are even worse. I have the ubiquitous grey "Do what they told ya" suit but the brown one looks better.
I will get the job with the grey suit and then immediately transfer to the brown (and let my facial hair grow like an armpit as well)
But seriously, who gives a toss that much to label someone about their choice of colour? Smart is Smart and that's it, or am I missing something big here? Cream shirts as well.
EDIT:- then I realised my style was more akin to teaching.
>> Edited by love machine on Wednesday 12th January 12:04
According to the image consultant, brown shoes are seen as a left wing, non business like. Brown suits are even worse. I have the ubiquitous grey "Do what they told ya" suit but the brown one looks better.
I will get the job with the grey suit and then immediately transfer to the brown (and let my facial hair grow like an armpit as well)
But seriously, who gives a toss that much to label someone about their choice of colour? Smart is Smart and that's it, or am I missing something big here? Cream shirts as well.
EDIT:- then I realised my style was more akin to teaching.
>> Edited by love machine on Wednesday 12th January 12:04
So... sitting here working at home, do grey slippers go with grey jeans, and a green 'Knockhill' fleece?
Just need to get the PH collective style guide opinion...
Oh, and wear whatever you want, it really doesn't
matter. You can wear the smartest suit, with the perfectly balanced pair of shoes, and still be an empty-headed prat.
Oops. Rant slipped out when I wasn't looking.
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Wednesday 12th January 11:58
Just need to get the PH collective style guide opinion...
Oh, and wear whatever you want, it really doesn't
matter. You can wear the smartest suit, with the perfectly balanced pair of shoes, and still be an empty-headed prat. Oops. Rant slipped out when I wasn't looking.
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Wednesday 12th January 11:58
Bloody hell, i wasn't expecting such a unanimous no no! I didn't actually set out to buy a brown suit, but spotted one, tried it on without shoes and it looked pretty cool. I have been concerned that under the bright flourescent glow of the office it will look different and I'll immediately regret it. Plus I haven't got any smart brown shoes.
Oh and I work in IT but in a large corporate office where a) my team are fairly blokey IT types, and b) the rest of the building wear anything from Chinos and check shirts :sick: to full on suits. Never seen anyone in brown though.
I guess I could always save it for a wedding, or maybe i'll just take it back.
P.S. I'm the kind of bloke who likes to look sharp at work, but this could be a little too risky....
Thanks for your comments...
Oh and I work in IT but in a large corporate office where a) my team are fairly blokey IT types, and b) the rest of the building wear anything from Chinos and check shirts :sick: to full on suits. Never seen anyone in brown though.
I guess I could always save it for a wedding, or maybe i'll just take it back.
P.S. I'm the kind of bloke who likes to look sharp at work, but this could be a little too risky....
Thanks for your comments...
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