When speaking about shoes, it’s a very general subject, ranging from sneakers to Oxfords, Derbies and Mocassins. But do you have all the right knowledge to guide you on getting the perfect shoe for the proper occasion, especially formal events? Here’s everything you need to know about dress shoes.

This guide is intended to educate you and help you in picking the right choice from all the options of dress shoes.

When speaking about shoes, it’s a very general subject, ranging from sneakers to Oxfords, Derbies and Mocassins. But do you have all the right knowledge to guide you on getting the perfect shoe for the proper occasion, especially formal events? Here’s everything you need to know about dress shoes.

This guide is intended to educate you and help you in picking the right choice from all the options of dress shoes.

The Anatomy of A Dress Shoe

The Anatomy of A Dress Shoe

Types of Lacing

Types of Lacing

‘Derbies’ and ‘Oxfords’ are often mistaken for each other. How do you differentiate it? The lacing of both shoes indicates the differences in which Oxfords are always close laced while Derbies are open laced.

‘Derbies’ and ‘Oxfords’ are often mistaken for each other. How do you differentiate it? The lacing of both shoes indicates the differences in which Oxfords are always close laced while Derbies are open laced.

Types of Dress Shoes

Types of Dress Shoes

Oxford Shoe

Oxford Shoe

This shoe is named after being a popular fashion statement at The University of Oxford in the 1800s. If you’re going for a classic staple, Oxfords are the number one pick. Oxfords are also suitable for formal and even casual events. In short, it’s the first thing that pops up when looking for formal shoes.

Despite being confused with Derbies, Oxfords are very different to Derbies. Here are 3 characteristics on how to identify an Oxford: Oxfords are meant to expose your ankles, it must be low-heeled and most importantly, the lacing are always Closed Lacing.

Oxford shoes may come in many different designs like cap toe oxford, wingtip oxford, plain toe oxford.

This shoe is named after being a popular fashion statement at The University of Oxford in the 1800s. If you’re going for a classic staple, Oxfords are the number one pick. Oxfords are also suitable for formal and even casual events. In short, it’s the first thing that pops up when looking for formal shoes.

Despite being confused with Derbies, Oxfords are very different to Derbies. Here are 3 characteristics on how to identify an Oxford: Oxfords are meant to expose your ankles, it must be low-heeled and most importantly, the lacing are always Closed Lacing.

Oxford shoes may come in many different designs like cap toe oxford, wingtip oxford, plain toe oxford.

Cap Toe Oxford

The added piece of leather across the toe cap of the Oxford shoe is what make it "cap toe/cap toe/cap-toe'. Oxford shoes come in many different colors like tan, cognac, brown, but black colored Oxford shoes are the most preferred and suitable for black tie events. Black cap toes Oxford may serve double duty as a tuxedo shoe although it is not formal enough for traditional black tie.

This genuine leather cap toe Oxford comes with 5 eyelet for the laces with linings made with genuine leather and suitable for a formal look. This shoe will be able to give out a formal look for any event.  

Cap Toe Oxford

The added piece of leather across the toe cap of the Oxford shoe is what make it "cap toe/captoe/cap-toe'. Oxford shoes come in many different colours like tan, cognac, brown, but black coloured Oxford shoes are the most preferred and suitable for black tie events. Black cap toes Oxford may serve double duty as a tuxedo shoe although it is not formal enough for traditional black tie.

Wingtip Oxford/Brogue

Wingtip Oxfords come with a decorative M-shaped or W-shaped toe cap with edges that extend along the sides of the shoe. This type of Oxford is less formal compared to Plain Toe Oxford and Whole Cut Oxford. However, it is suitable for weddings and office wear, also smart casual style.

Made up of Genuine Cow Leather, this brogue Wingtip Oxford gives a classic look on a formal dress shoe.

Wing Tip Oxfords/Brogue

Wingtip Oxfords come with a decorative M-shaped or W-shaped toe cap with edges that extend along the sides of the shoe. This type of Oxford is less formal compared to Plain Toe Oxford and Whole Cut Oxford. However, it is suitable for weddings and office wear, also smart casual style.

Plain Toe Oxford

Plain toe Oxfords are the most formal Oxford shoe as it has a very simple design and very sleek to enhance the appearance of the trousers. This type of Oxford is suitable for black tie events.

This genuine leather made shoe with 5 eyelets can be used as everyday wear shoe or for black tie events. The stitches gives out a simple design for a plain toe Oxford shoe.

Plain Toe Oxfords

Plain toe Oxfords are the most formal Oxford shoe as it has a very simple design and very sleek to enhance the appearance of the trousers. This type of Oxford is suitable for black tie events.

For those who are interested in looking for an Oxford shoe that is more convenient, Tomaz has introduced a genuine leather (cow skin) lace up dress shoe that is suitable for everyday wear. This design gives out the look of an Oxford shoe on slip ons. It comes in two colours; black and brown.

For those who are interested in looking for an Oxford shoe that is more convenient, Tomaz has introduced a genuine leather (cow skin) lace up dress shoe that is suitable for everyday wear. This design gives out the look of an Oxford shoe on slip ons. It comes in two colours; black and brown.

Derby Shoe

Derby Shoe

'Derby' or also known as 'Blucher' or 'Gibson' was originally meant for sporting and hunting boot in the early years. Derby are known for a more comfortable version of the Oxfords due to its Open Lacing system. This simple detail has kept the derby reminiscent of its sporting roots, in which it is perceived as a less formal version of the Oxford. It also makes the shoe bulkier hence less formal but perfect for wide feet men. Derby shoes can be used in all events; Smart, Smart Casual or even Casual. However, it is not suitable for black tie events. Derby has a more relaxed construction and if you plan to wear formal shoes over the course of a full day, and regularly, a pair of Derbies would be the ideal choice.

'Derby' or also known as 'Blucher' or 'Gibson' was originally meant for sporting and hunting boot in the early years. Derby are known for a more comfortable version of the Oxfords due to its Open Lacing system. This simple detail has kept the derby reminiscent of its sporting roots, in which it is perceived as a less formal version of the Oxford. It also makes the shoe bulkier hence less formal but perfect for wide feet men. Derby shoes can be used in all events; Smart, Smart Casual ane even Casual. However, it is not suitable for black tie events. Derby has a more relaxed construction and if you plan to wear formal shoes over the course of a full day, and regularly, a pair of Derbies would be the ideal choice.

Cap Toe Derby

As similar as the Cap Toe Oxford, an added piece of leather across the toe cap of a Derby makes it a Cap Toe. This design of Derby gives a simple addition of style on a plain Derby. Suitable for formal and casual events.

Cap Toe Derby

As similar as the Cap Toe Oxford, an added piece of leather across the toe cap of a Derby makes it a Cap Toe. This design of Derby gives a simple addition of style on a plain Derby. Suitable for formal and casual events.

Plain Toe Derby

A Plain Toe Derby has a plain, simple and minimal design on a Derby. This design is the most formal Derby design and suitable for all formal and casual events. Men with wide feet are the most suitable to wear this design as its toe cap is wider with the absence of additional design.

Plain Toe Derby

A Plain Toe Derby has a plain, simple and minimal design on a Derby. This design is the most formal Derby design and suitable for all formal and casual events. Men with wide feet are the most suitable to wear this design as its toe cap is wider with the absence of additional design.

Wingtip Derby

Wingtip Derby is Derby shoes with broguing on the toe cap shaped like a ‘W’ or a ‘M’ or ‘U’with extensions that can either extend along both sides of the shoe or stop just short of the heel cap. They feature broguing both on the edges and in the center and have heel caps when the wings don’t extend along both sides of the shoe. This design is considered the most informal. The more the broguing, the less informal the shoe is. This design also comes in various material like leather, suede, etc.

Wingtip Derby

Wingtip Derby is Derby shoes with broguing on the toe cap shaped like a ‘W’ or a ‘M’ or ‘U’with extensions that can either extend along both sides of the shoe or stop just short of the heel cap. They feature broguing both on the edges and in the center and have heel caps when the wings don’t extend along both sides of the shoe. This design is considered the most informal. The more the broguing, the less informal the shoe is. This design also comes in various material like leather, suede, etc.

This model has an embossed design to form the wingtip design on this Derby. The wingtip design on this model is simple and minimal for this type of shoe. The genuine cow leather material helps in enhancing the formality of this shoe.