Best men's dress shoes

The best classic Oxford dress shoes

Allen Edmonds is a household name in the world of dress shoes, and the American-made Park Avenue Oxford shoes check all the boxes with full-grain calfskin leather, Goodyear welt, and timeless style that’s suitable for any occasion.

The dressier look of Oxford style shoes makes them the best choice for your go-to dress shoe. The classic Allen Edmonds Park Avenue is our top pick for any man looking to upgrade his style game.

Hand-crafted in the United States, the Park Avenue Oxford is a favorite of numerous U.S. Presidents and hits all of the quality considerations you want in a quality shoe. 

This pair is made of full-grain calfskin leather which will break-in comfortably and can properly absorb polish for a great shine.

The shoes feature a Goodyear welted leather sole with a rubber heel for added traction that can be replaced by a shoemaker if it ever wears out, and it’s built on a conservative last that’s not too boxy and not too skinny.

Whether you’re in the market for your first pair of good dress shoes or you’re just looking for a solid shoe to wear for anything from a casual evening out to a day at the office, the Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Oxford is the one for you.

Pros: Crafted in the United States, made of full-grain calfskin leather that polishes and ages well, durable Goodyear welt construction that can be resoled, and a classic style that can be worn almost anywhere.

The best derby dress shoes

The derby remains a hugely popular dress shoe and the Charles Tyrwhitt’s two-eyelet derby is a high-quality, English-made shoe that will work with any outfit.

If you already have a good pair of Oxfords, or if you’ve just settled on the derby for its simple style, then you’ll likely want something that’s equal parts comfortable and versatile. 

In this case, you should still stick with brown, although if you want to keep it less formal (after all, the derby is a fairly casual dress shoe), lighter shades would also work well here.

You can take your pick from any of the top men’s shoemakers, but our pick for the derby is the 2-eyelet derby from Charles Tyrwhitt, a Jermyn Street brand most prominently known for its affordable yet quality dress shirts.

The two-eyelet derby is crafted in England using traditional shoemaking methods. Like our other favorites, it’s constructed of full-grain calfskin and features a Goodyear welted leather sole for years and years of comfortable wear with proper care.

Best of all is the shoe’s subtle styling. A plain toe and brogue-less heel give this dress shoe a sophisticated look that puts it far ahead of other Derbies, which all too often are either boring or completely overdone with stitching. 

The open lacing of the derby gives the wearer more wiggle room – those of you with wider feet, take note – although this does result in a slightly boxier profile that is less sleek than the Oxford.

But in America, and anywhere else where business-casual is the norm, the Charles Tyrwhitt two-eyelet derby is a great choice for a versatile leather shoe that fits in almost anywhere.

Pros: Supple full-grain calfskin with an attractive finish; durable Goodyear welted construction; hand-made in England; brogue detailing lends a subtle yet sophisticated style.