Sometimes you just want a shoe that will get you from Point A to Point B. Other times you want a shoe that will get you from Point A to Point B with a parade of admiring men-who-want-to-be-you and women-who-want-to-be-with-you in tow. These shoes – our picks for the 10 best men’s dress shoes of the Spring/Summer 2014 season – fall into the latter category.
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #1 – Church’s Suede Oxford Brogues
Back in 1881, Church’s became the first shoemaker ever to produce differently shaped left and right shoes, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing when it comes to dressing your feet. The Suede Oxford Brogues are a timeless staple that add style while still looking completely effortless (and, as an added bonus, they break up all that black in your wardrobe). (Price: $545.00 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #2 – Valentino Garavani Rockstud Oxford
A lace-up may be a traditional shoe, but that doesn’t mean experimentation is out of the question. The Rockstud Oxford from Valentino Garavani is a great example of tradition-meets-rebellion. It’s a classic, round toe, stacked heel shoe in chestnut patent leather, but the stud details around the toe, heel, and laces give it just the right amount of rock’n’roll edge. (Price: $833.11 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #3 – Grenson Stanley Brogue
We all know Grenson can make boots like nobody’s business, but the brand’s footwear expertise doesn’t stop there. The Stanley is Grenson’s famous brogue, part of the Rushden collection, made from premium waxed leather uppers with traditional punched brogue detailing. It’s impossible to go wrong with a look like this. (Price: £199.00 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #4 – Giorgio Armani Perforated Lace-Up Shoe
This is how casual dress shoes should be done. Armani gives the classic Derby shoe a modern makeover with all-over micro-perforation throughout the smoky brushed calfskin upper of the Perforated Lace-Up Shoe. And the cool train doesn’t stop there. There’s also a contrasting interior and a unique rubber sole that add to the shoe’s contemporary look. (Price: $861.93 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #5 – Mr. Hare Leather Double Monk-Strap Shoes
Marc Hare launched his men’s shoe brand in 2009, specializing in handmade footwear with rakish designs manufactured in limited quantities for discerning customers. Case in point: the Leather Double Monk Strap Shoes, which feature the company’s sleek, elongated shape and characteristic elegance. The blend of the classic monk strap look with the more daring blue colour works wonders. (Price: $700.00 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #6 – Common Projects Derby Shine
Common Projects aspires to provide minimalist designs, quality materials, and expert craftsmanship in an industry that’s often lacking those three elements. This take on the classic Derby is a stripped-back version made from polished luxury Italian leather that sits atop a wedge rubber sole with Stormwelt construction. Look for the brand’s iconic gold ID number at the heel. (Price: £335.00 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #7 – Alden Cap Toe Blucher
Made exclusively for End, the Alden Cap Toe Blucher is a classic open-laced shoe with a stitched toe that’s perfect for blending the casual and the formal for everyday wear. Alden constructed this limited offering from burgundy Shell Cordovan leather, sourced from the Horween tannery in Illinois, and a Goodyear welted double oak leather sole. (Price: £629.00 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #8 – Givenchy Patent Leather Lace-Up Brogues
Givenchy’s Patent Leather Lace-Up Brogues aren’t complicated, but they don’t need to be. Simplicity reigns supreme in this case. The pointed toe and hyper glossy black patent leather are more than enough to set these shoes apart in any well-dressed crowd. Other details include a stacked rubber heel and cushioned leather insole. (Price: $756.88 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #9 – Paul Smith Knight Brogue
Sir Paul Smith brings his individual and quintessentially British style to footwear with the Paul Smith Knight Brogue. The smooth navy blue leather uppers are decorated with elaborate punched wingtip detailing and tonal lacing. A vintage heel tab with Paul Smith’s famous stripes and a white leather trim around the sole finish off the look. (Price: $448.59 BUY)
Best Men’s Dress Shoes #10 – John Lobb City II Leather Oxford Shoes
The City II Leather Oxford Shoe from John Lobb is a modern classic with a double-stitched toe cap seam and mottled brown leather. Looking at that smooth, simple exterior, you would have no idea that over 190 processes, many of which are performed by hand, go into completing each pair of John Lobb’s beautiful shoes. Now that’s the kind of craftsmanship that earns you a spot on a “Best Of” list. (Price: $1,360.00 BUY)
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