Fashion

Humanism Guiding the Future of Brunello Cucinelli

Fashion

Yeti Launches Performance Apparel

Fashion

China’s Fashion Future Goes Beyond What People Wear

The Best Dress Shoes for Men Will Keep You Suave and Blister-Free, From Work to the Happy Hour

High-shine loafers, classic Oxfords, and even sneaker hybrids for marrying dapper looks and all-day comfort.

By Stacia Datskovska Plus Icon

Stacia Datskovska

Senior Commerce Writer for WWD

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

View All

May 29, 2026, 11:56am

Add us as a Google Preferred Source

men's oxfords and loafers over white background; man walking pomeranian while dressed in a suit; best dress shoes for men to buy online

Courtesy Manufacturers, Getty Images/Edward Berthelot

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Best Dress Shoes for Men 2026

best oxford

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxford

Buy Now at nordstrom $450 Jump to Details

best loafer

Tod’s Men’s Mocassino Gomma Penny Loafer

Buy Now at neiman marcus $825 Jump to Details

best hybrid

Cole Haan Men’s ZERØGRAND Remastered Plain Toe Oxford

Buy Now at cole haan $109.95 Jump to Details

best derby

Todd Snyder Nomad Derby Shoe

Buy Now at todd snyder $368 Jump to Details

best brogue

Grenson Canterbury Leather Wingtip Brogue

Buy Now at mr porter $685 Jump to Details

best investment

Ralph Lauren Darnell Calfskin Monk-Strap Shoe

Buy Now at ralph lauren $1,350 Jump to Details

View more +

You don’t have to be named James Bond or Patrick Bateman to rock a dress shoe right. While these fictional males taught us a lot about the timeless principles of menswear, these days the dress shoe market is chock-full of throw-on-and-go styles — from slip-on loafers and cap-toe steppers to hybrids pampered with rubber outsoles to mimic a sneaker (and its inherent comfiness) — that don’t take a genius, or an unreliable narrator, to pair artfully with what you’re wearing on top.

Shop Shoes

Where to Watch the 2026 New York City Marathon Online Without Cable

Shoe Industry News

Jimmy Choo Momentum Grows as Shoes Reclaim the Fashion Spotlight

Whether it’s a three-piece suit kind of day at the office, your once-weekly button-up and chinos moment, or a linen-on-linen outing during a humid Euro vacation, the best dress shoes for men can fit effortlessly well into the picture: meaning you no longer have to keep them at the back of the shoe rack, reserved only for black-tie affairs or board meetings.

Yes, some time-tested codes of conduct still apply to this footwear category (read: An Oxford’s closed lacing is more suitable for formal occasions than a Derby’s open one), but there’s still more diversity and freedom than ever before in the universe of men’s dress shoes.

We’re betting your fresh dress shoe investment will make you look oh-so-old money. Courtesy Arthur Elgort/Conde Nast via Getty Images

We’ll be rounding up the only six styles you need to have on rotation shortly; before that, know that it’s wisest to pick classic, adaptable hues like black, dark brown, tan, and burgundy (go red-tinted if you wish to stand out from the monochrome sea of suits). Size-wise, choose measurements that will prevent your heel from sliding up out of the shoe with every step, and remember that you’ll be donning the purchase with socks for the most part.

In the materials department, full-grain leather will grant the best ROI — only getting more gorgeous with time while seamlessly molding to the contours of your foot. Detail-obsessed? You’ll want to add to cart some essential tools for maintaining the integrity of your men’s dress shoes in the long run, like popular shoe trees that will help you go sans creases and odors as well as a trusty leather polish for replicating the magic of a subway shoe-shining station from home.

Famous columnist (and arbiter of elegance, as many peers considered him to be) George Frazier once said that, to know if a man is truly well-dressed, all you have to do is look down. We similarly have a few words for you: Don’t disappoint.

best oxford

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxford

$450

Buy Now at nordstrom

This exact shoe was worn by the likes of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton on their respective Inauguration Days. Translation: The Commander-in-Chief–vetted selection is so outstanding, it transcends party affiliations and fleeting trends alike.

Benefitting from Allen Edmonds’ protective, 360-degree bench welt construction that allows it to be quickly recrafted if need be, the Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxford is also handmade in the U.S.; boasts soft-and-shiny calfskin leather; has CustomCork insoles that will adhere to your foot’s unique geometry; and features a classic fit that won’t let you waste precious time consulting size charts.

We’re partial to the warmth-exuding Chili option, but you can take things in a more versatile direction with a simple black or mahogany. Bonus points: This design is high arch–friendly.

What reviewers say: “This will be my second pair of the Park Avenue, my double digit pair of Allen Edmonds. The quality and ability to recraft the shoes make these truly one of a kind. Yes, it takes some time to break them in, but when you do they are worth every penny.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $450

best loafer

Tod’s Men’s Mocassino Gomma Penny Loafer

$825

Buy Now at neiman marcus

Go ahead — use part of your next paycheck to fund this grainy and utterly attractive penny loafer from Tod’s, a luxury Italian fashion destination renowned for its artisanal techniques and keen awareness of what every modern man wants. Supple, sumptuous leather here combines with a rounded moc toe and pebble-patterned outsole to dole out preppiness and functionality in the same breath. A penny-keeper strap can be loaded with some copper, or not, and minimalist embossing on the tongue and back of the heel are the only whispers you’ll hear of Tod’s’ name.

We personally wouldn’t advise baring your ankles in the Mocassino by going sock-free, but the world is your oyster… so do as your heart desires.

What reviewers say: “Sleek, easy to style for work and beyond, and exceptionally well-made. I’m inseparable from my pair.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $825

best hybrid

Cole Haan Men’s ZERØGRAND Remastered Plain Toe Oxford

$109.95 $200 45% off

Buy Now at cole haan

I got my boyfriend this ingeniously engineered Oxford for Christmas one year, and I swear the man doesn’t take it off — even on the weekends. Part formal dress shoe and part casual-cool sneaker, the updated silhouette comes with less heel friction and more toe box roominess than its predecessors, per Cole Haan. The cushioned midsole keeps you feeling supported on your most draining days (and is made of none other than dandelion rubber, a sustainable alternative), while those super-deep grooves on the sole flex and fold according to your will and your gait.

The ZERØGRAND skips past break-in periods common to men’s dress shoes, swapping them for plushness, maximized range of motion, and lightweight buoyancy. At close to half off, this is also the best deal on dress shoes for men we’ve spotted online. And should your size not be available in the above black shade, turning to its British Tan counterpart might serve you even better for the season at hand.

What reviewers say: “This shoe is true to size and very comfortable. It’s a great-looking shoe and very versatile. You can dress it up with slacks or down with jeans. Awesome for a night out.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $109.95

best derby

Todd Snyder Nomad Derby Shoe

$368

Buy Now at todd snyder

As opposed to an Oxford, a Derby’s eyelet flaps are stitched on top of the vamp, contributing to a more relaxed and rugged appearance on the whole. What this means in practical terms? You can easily take the style to happy hours, weekend date nights, and even coastal getaways without looking like you’re trying too hard. It’s safe to say Todd Snyder has absolutely perfected the Derby dress shoe with its Nomad model: urbane, European-made, and visually intricate courtesy of that contrast stitching.

A crepe outsole supplies covetable vintage energy and shock absorption; a suede-swathed upper in pale taupe, meanwhile, provides the shoe with year-round appeal (light colors go well with summer wardrobes, suede fabrics with winter ones). Dedicated insole cushioning at the heel, too, will alleviate your EOD fatigue once and for all, leaving no room for complaints — only compliments.

What reviewers say: “Love these shoes. Second pair I’ve owned. Brings business-casual to a new level. I have to be careful not to wear them too much. They are so beautiful.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $368

best brogue

Grenson Canterbury Leather Wingtip Brogue

$685

Buy Now at mr porter

Circa-1866 British footwear label Grenson knows, intuitively, what makes a great men’s dress shoe great. Its Brogue (a low-heeled boot characterized by decorative perforations, once used to drain water) is proof of concept: equipped with a wingtip that forms a “W” from the subtly square toe cap to the back of the shoe, glossy black leather, and just the right amount of lift. Not only are those pencil-poke holes dotting the Canterbury conducive to greater thermoregulation, but they’re also quite personality-rich without saying too much.

Match with your tweeds and flannels come fall, but for now stick to the polos and the seersucker pants. It’s completely sold out on Grenson’s e-commerce, so grabbing the top-rated dress shoe at leading menswear retailer Mr Porter is the next best thing.

What reviewers say: “As beefy as these shoes are, I took them out of the box and wore them to work for an 8-hour shift with no discomfort! Versatile enough to go with jeans or suits — very smart-looking.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $685

best investment

Ralph Lauren Darnell Calfskin Monk-Strap Shoe

$1,350

Buy Now at ralph lauren

Straight from Ralph Lauren’s prestigious Purple Label comes this Italian monk strap favorite, finally doing away with annoying laces by way of a leather strap across the instep secured with gleaming buckle closure. The silhouette gets it name from European monks and the shoes they used to walk around in during the Middle Ages, but you don’t need to be frequenting monasteries to flaunt this sartorial status symbol loud and proud. Footwear editor– and Bond-approved, the look will signal to passerby, or your employees, that you’re a risktaker with high standards — an effect that makes the kick’s four-figure price tag worth it.

The Darnell in particular is composed of burnished French calfskin leather with an antique-inspired finish you’ll appreciate, and it’s also been revamped with an inclusive fit and a more streamlined outsole. Speaking of (re)vamps, there are perforations to be discovered on the tip of the shoe, drawing further attention to that eye-catching almond toe and sparing your feet from untimely sweat. An “RL”-engraved buckle, special packaging, and accompanying dust bag further the case for why this just might become your best investment of the month.

Or dare we say year?

What reviewers say: “Upgrades every outfit with its bold beauty. Absolutely no notes.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $1,350

Sign up for WWD Shop‘s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Why Trust Footwear News

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail, and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the season’s best footwear for the refined gentleman.

WWD Recommends

Most Popular

WWD

Get all the top news stories and alerts straight to your inbox.

Enter your Email

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Best Dress Shoes for Men Will Keep You Suave and Blister-Free, From Work to the Happy Hour

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

Best Dress Shoes for Men 2026

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxford

Tod’s Men’s Mocassino Gomma Penny Loafer

Cole Haan Men’s ZERØGRAND Remastered Plain Toe Oxford

Todd Snyder Nomad Derby Shoe

Grenson Canterbury Leather Wingtip Brogue

Ralph Lauren Darnell Calfskin Monk-Strap Shoe

Related Articles

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxford

Tod’s Men’s Mocassino Gomma Penny Loafer

Cole Haan Men’s ZERØGRAND Remastered Plain Toe Oxford

Todd Snyder Nomad Derby Shoe

Grenson Canterbury Leather Wingtip Brogue

Ralph Lauren Darnell Calfskin Monk-Strap Shoe

Why Trust Footwear News

Why Trust WWD

Meet the Author

Tags

WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

Most Popular