<p>Helping a young (24) family member decide what to wear to a black tie-optional evening wedding. He has a very nicely tailored navy suit which I think will look nice. Questions: What shirt/tie should he wear? Is a white shirt appropriate? And, the timeless question about shoe color with a navy suit… He struggles with whether to wear black or brown shoes. His shoes are more appropriate for the office, so he’ll probably be purchasing a new pair that will work for this event. This is a family wedding and he wants to look nice… Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>A white shirt is appropriate if others are wearing tuxes and I would vote for black shoes with navy.</p>
<p>Brown is more casual than black. A really nice tie works to dress up the outfit</p>
<p>Yes to the navy suit with black shoes and a spiffy tie. Adding the “optional” is very thoughtful for young people who don’t own a tux and can’t afford the expense of renting one.</p>
<p>Yes to black shoes and a matching black belt! A white shirt with a navy suit is always appropriate, IMO. Only white dresses on anyone other than the bride look odd at weddings.</p>
<p>I agree: black shoes and belt, white dress shirt --not button-down–and nice silk tie.</p>
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<p>Thank you for using this term properly. :)</p>
<p>Good advice above. Okay to put a little color in the tie, just don’t make it too splashy-- select a conservative pattern.</p>
<p>A note about shoes. Black wing-tipped or cap-toed oxfords are most appropriate here; if he has those for his job, then he’s golden. Loafers are too casual. Make sure he knows that patent leather shoes only go with tuxes, and should most emphatically not be worn with a suit.</p>
<p>I think that black slip-ons would be acceptable. Nothing that looks like a casual loafer, I agree.</p>
<ol>
<li> Thou shall not wear slip on shoes with a suit. In fact, they should be avoided.</li>
</ol>
<p>From [Rules</a> of Mens Dress](<a href=“http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/rules-of-mens-dress/]Rules”>http://www.thefineyounggentleman.com/rules-of-mens-dress/)</p>
<p>In the case of a young man in this situation, I think that dressy slip-ons would be fine. THe major thing is that his shoes be black and not draw attention to themselves.</p>
<p>if he wishes to take this opportunity to invest in a nice pair of shoes, that’s another matter.</p>
<p>Are there dressy slip-ons? I don’t think owning a good pair of dress shoes is asking too much. He’ll want them for interviews too most likely.</p>
<p>Sure there are:</p>
<p>[ECCO</a> ‘Windsor’ Slip-On (Men) | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ecco-windsor-slip-on-men/3068126?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=0&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_1_A]ECCO”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ecco-windsor-slip-on-men/3068126?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=0&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_1_A)</p>
<p>I’m not saying I’m a huge fan of them. I prefer oxfords and loafers.</p>
<p>Actually, these are a little dressier:</p>
<p><a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bruno-magli-raging-slip-on/2953850?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=454&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_2_A[/url]”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bruno-magli-raging-slip-on/2953850?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=454&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_2_A</a></p>
<p>BTW, Sop14, I love that link. :)</p>
<p>The Eccos are very comfortable for everyday business casual wear and dressy enough for a young man who cannot afford to buy $500 pair of fancy Italian crafted shoes. In my neck of the woods, even executives wear these Eccos with suits.</p>
<p>J Crew has moderately priced shoes suitable for your fancy party/suit wearing needs.
Personal preference:
Black lace ups for a navy suit, white shirt, black belt.</p>
<p>And learn how to properly shine and care for leather shoes to protect your investment.
Buy shoe trees.</p>
<p>You didn’t hear it from me, but another option for shoes is to buy a pair of cheap black lace-ups from Payless or Walmart or Target. They will look fine for the event, and probably for quite a while after. This advice may not work if your feet sweat a lot, because these shoes are going to be largely man-made.</p>
<p>Just as a young woman needs a black dress and a pair of black pumps (and ideally a string of pearls), a young man needs a blue blazer, a (gray) suit, and a proper pair of black leather oxfords. But then, I’m obviously the conventional sort when it comes to dress.</p>