Order Prime items by 12/18 for Christmas delivery 🎁

About Brown Derby Shoes for Men

Nothing can match the versatility of brown derby shoes. If talking about in terms of formality, they stand next to men’s oxford shoes. Men’s brown derby shoes are perfect for creating looks varying from smart casual and semi formal to formal and professional attire, required in office settings and black tie events.

This speaks volumes about the versatility of the footwear, which can be dressed up and down to suit the occasion. However, the material you opt for and its shade matters a lot when you consider men’s brown derby shoes. For example brown derbies in men’s suede shoes have a more laid back vibe, while picking a pair of derby men’s leather shoes gives a more polished look.

Overall, the formality of men’s derby shoes relies mostly on how you style them, and a bit on the type of brown derby shoes you are picking for yourself. That’s right. Derbies actually come in different designs and shapes, giving you a range of options to choose from.

Let’s have a closer look at the different types of derby brown shoes, and help you pick the perfect one for yourself.

Plain Toe Brown Derby Shoes for Men

Plain toe derbies feature the most minimalist designs in brown derby shoes, with a round or slightly squared toe, as well as the classic open lacing system at the top that make them perfect for formal and men’s casual shoes. You can wear them with a crisp navy suit in navy, or to the office with a button up shirt and smart pants for a professional look.

Ditch the tie and swap the button up shirt for a t-shirt or a V-neck sweater to wear underneath your blazer along with a pair of chinos and men’s brown derby shoes as men’s business casual shoes, to fit into your semi formal attire.

Cap Toe Men’s Brown Leather Derby Shoes

Looking for a more formal option in brown derby shoes for men?

Then opt for cap-toe men’s brown leather derby shoes that have an extra piece of leather attached to the toe, forming a “cap”, with a horizontal seam. This subtle yet purposeful detail elevates the look of the derby brown shoes, and gives them a more sophisticated vibe. The cap can be in a rounded or a more chiseled, square shape, where the latter makes them more suitable for formal settings.

Men’s black derby shoes might form your ultimate choice when it comes to men’s dress shoes, but will give you a much harder time in toning them down for laid back occasions, than brown derby shoes that have an edge over black shoes due to their versatility.

You can also opt for custom shoes, to get a pair of brown derby shoes designed according to your desire.

Whole Cut Men’s Brown Derby Shoes

Whole-cut men’s brown derby shoes mainly refer to derbies that have an upper made of a single piece of leather. This translates to a minimalist design with no extra seams, which makes it extremely versatile and perfect for everyday wear. This can lead to worries about how you are going to fit into the shoe, however, the flexible open lacing system, a characteristic of all derbies, cuts it off the list, making it quite a comfortable footwear.

You can opt for a square toe, but a round toe is also good enough for formal settings, thanks to its clean design that you can wear with a suit without a second thought.

Long-Wing Brown Derby Shoes for Men

Long wing brown derby shoes for men are basically an extension of wingtip derbies, where the toe cap extends to the sides of the shoe creating a W shape. Instead of stopping at the sides, in long wing derbies, the wing extends to the back of the shoe, with perforations all along, much like men’s brogue shoes, creating an elongated illusion.

It’s definitely a unique variety among men’s derby shoes, that once served as a highly functional shoe, before transitioning to an ivy league fashion statement. The shoe was mainly used for trudging through marshes, where the wings gave a more hardy shape while the perforations allowed the water to drain out.

Although longwing derby brown shoes can’t strictly be described as formal shoes, they are definitely a preppy footwear that can be used to add a touch of sophistication to your smart casual outfits.

Men’s Brown Derby Shoes in Boot Style

The list of men’s brown leather derby shoes is incomplete without mentioning men’s leather boots.

Derby boots are boots with high ankles and a similar design to derbies, with the same open lacing system but chunkier soles, and an overall rugged appearance. These are great for everyday wear, and creating an edgy look.

The derby structure adds a touch of sophistication to the footwear that you can wear for your outdoor trips especially, during winters for added protection from the cold and extra grip on trickier landscapes.

FAQs About Men’s Brown Derby Shoes

When to wear brown derby shoes?

The perfect answer to this question would be every day. Brown derby shoes can fit just as well into casual outfits, as they do with formal attire. You can wear derby brown shoes to the office with a pair of slacks and a crisp shirt and tie, or tone it down with a pair of dark wash jeans, a white t-shirt and a loose button-down shirt on top, for a laid-back vibe.

Are brown derby shoes considered formal?

Brown derby shoes are only next to black oxfords and derbies when it comes to formality. The brown color also makes them versatile enough for casual settings, where black derby shoes or oxfords can be a bit intimidating to dress up.

Can you wear brown derby shoes with shorts?

Of course, you can wear brown derby shoes with shorts. Just be a bit careful about the color coordination, and also don’t please wear socks that are visible above your shoes, unless you fancy impersonating the resident clown.

Conclusion

Brown derby shoes are the most versatile option when it comes to footwear. Not only are there different options for you to try from, but also each type of men’s brown derby shoes comes with the flexibility to fit into a variety of attire, which makes it footwear that you can actively rely on, in times of fashion emergency. If you don’t own a pair of men’s brown derby shoes, then this is your sign to get one, asap.