The best dress shoes for men, right in time for wedding season

No matter if you work in an office or on a building site, there are plenty of occasions that call for a dress shoe. 

And having a nice pair at your disposal will simply make life a whole lot easier, especially as we come up to all the weddings and racing carnivals and merriment of this time of year.

Here are our picks for the best on the market, for every type of man.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

For the man who wants to buy once

If you're going to take a punt on one style of dress shoe, the odds are best on a black-leather Oxford. They're formal enough for weddings and job interviews, and pair nicely with just about any suit. 

Plus, they're such a classic style that you can get away with buying once, taking care of them, and never having to worry about buying a pair again. 

Ted Baker Carlen Formal Leather Oxford

Buy them on sale for $149

These Ted Baker Oxfords are on sale for $149.99 and have all the elements of a shoe that'll last you for years to come. 

Brando Austin Leather Oxford Shoes

Buy for $269

There's also this Austin Leather from Brando, coming in classic this Austin Leather from Brando and a rich brown. They're currently 25 per cent off at checkout.

ECCO Men's Citytray Derby Shoes

Buy for $279.95

Similar in style to the Oxford, the Derby style is just as classic but a touch more versatile. You've likely seen more Derbys around for this reason. Our pick is the Citytray Derby from ECCO which comes in Citytray Derby from ECCO and a cognac brown. 

For the man who's looking to elevate his look 

You might be the type of guy who already has a bunch of dress shoes and wants something different. Or, you want a little more personality than the standard dress shoe. In this case, we offer: the chunky sole.

Bally Zefir Shoes

Buy for $1,190

Offering a modern spin on the classic dress shoe, the Bally Zefir can easily carve out a place at a wedding or on the street, making them a versatile dress shoe. We can envision it pairing well with a wide-leg pant and bolo tie.  

Grenson Archie shoes

Now $275 (was $550)

At a more affordable price point, the Archie from Grenson has the same chunky sole and look, and also comes in an almost terracotta tan leather. It's heavily discounted at the moment.

Call It Spring Vault Loafers

Buy for $82.25

Call It Spring have another chunky sole alternative in their Vault Loafer style for a different type of look. 

For the man who's finally giving in to the trend

In terms of men's dress shoes, R.M. Williams has certainly cornered the market of day-to-night-to-day-again wearability. R.M. Williams is everywhere in men's fashion – and for good reason. They're a solid investment piece and designed to last literally forever. 

R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots

Buy them for $649

As a safe bet, we like the Comfort Craftsman in black, but the Comfort Craftsman in black is just as dressy. 

If you're not in a spot to fork out the cash, but still want a nice investment boot, the Blundstone 1901 is a nice alternative. However, they don't quite have the Craftsman heel.

Blundstone 1901 boots

Get them for $224

For that, the Blundstone Heritage 152 has a little more lift but it leans further towards the $500 mark. 

Blundstone Heritage 152

Buy for $430

Aquila's Harley Chelsea Boot also hits the same notes in terms of rugged leather, while their Dexter Chelsea gets the neat leather construction of the dress shoe boot just right.

The man who likes to be comfortable but put together 

Loafers are no longer considered a strictly casual shoe. You can wear them to weddings or the workplace without garnering a second look. Besides, with many weddings and events having a cocktail dress code, these fit the brief a little more than the standard Oxford.

The G.H. Bass Penny Loafers have a great shine and structure to them, and will make any suit look instantly more dapper. Same with the Classic Dan by Sebago.

G.H Bass Easy Weejun II Larson Moc Penny Loafers

Get them for 25% off

Sebago Classic Dan loafers

Get them for 25% off

Call It Spring Woodward Loafers

Buy for $77.35

If you just want to dip your toe in the loafer life, these metal loafers from Call It Spring are a good jumping-off point. At just $77, they're not too much of a gamble. 

For the man who wants a little bit of everything 

The Chukka style is a nice mixture of all styles – a little refined with the laces, a little modern with the creep up the ankle, a little casual like a loafer. Good for someone who might feel a little out of place in an overly formal shoe. 

And while they've traditionally been pushed aside as too laidback for a dress shoe, there really aren't any rules anymore. We may just suggest getting them in a leather, not a suede, so they have a touch more versatility.

These Aquila Adams Chukkas come in a black leather which instantly elevates it from the standard suede you see in this type of shoe.

AQ by Aquila Adams Chukka Boots

Buy for $219

Airflex Hooper Leather Ankle Boots

Get them on sale for $107.99

These from Airflex, with a rounded toe, are also pretty classy. 

AQ by Aquila Utah Chukka Boots

Buy for $219

For a more rockstar look, Aquila also offer the Utah Chukka, which has higher sides and a longer tongue if you wanted more 'boot' and less 'hybrid-boot-Derby'.

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