Is there anything more dapper than a black dress shoe? Synonymous with elegance and sophistication, black dress shoes are the ultimate way to lift your formal attire effortlessly. Though we love our brown dress shoes, as they offer a little more versatility, black dress shoes are guaranteed to make you feel incredibly smooth, like you cut through any room and party with the best of them.
Finding the best black dress shoe is dependent on the material and comfort level. Though you want to look your best while rocking formal footwear, you also want to ensure you invest in a pair offering superior support through cushiony footbeds, durable soles and breathable, lightweight insoles. Also, look out for premium leathers such as calf, nubuck or patent leather to provide you with a super polished look.
To help prepare you for your next black-tie event (or just another day at the office), we’ve selected leading footwear brands designing the best black dress shoes cut from quality fabrics. Whether you’re looking for modern designs or classic silhouettes, we have a whole range here every man needs to know about.
Scarosso
1/20
Price: From $325
Sizes: 41-47
Material: Calfskin
Scarosso makes extraordinary designs for affordable prices, as they believe luxurious shoes should be accessible to every gentleman. Here, you can buy the best black dress shoes money can buy. These black dress shoes come in every style; no matter if you’re looking for a sleek chukka or an oxford tip, this range has it all.
Allen Edmonds
2/20
Price: From $295
Sizes: 7-14
Material: European calfskin leather
What makes Allen Edmonds so special is how they treat every shoe with great attention to detail, as each item undergoes a thorough 212 step process. These are the best black dress shoes handcrafted out of the finest leather that comes with a supportive footbed and bench welt, making them seriously comfortable.
Grenson
3/20
Price: From $460
Sizes: 6-12
Material: Leather
Grenson rose to prominence manufacturing boots for soldiers during The Great War – so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about high performing, supportive footwear. Be sure to check out these men’s black dress shoes, as they’re cut from the finest materials to elevate your formal wardrobe. Many of these designs are calf grain leather, providing you with a super polished look.
Cole Haan
4/20
Price: From $300
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
This New-York based brand creates comfortable dress shoes by combining modern style with the most advanced technology. Many of these black dress shoes come with a contoured arch and cushioned footbed for extra support. These black dress shoes capture more of a laidback luxe, making them suitable for casual occasions too.
Tod's
5/20
Price: From $625
Sizes: 4-13
Material: Leather
This high-end Italian footwear brand produces stylish leather dress shoes guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks. Whether you’re after derbies, oxfords or even monk straps, Tod’s supplies the best black dress shoes the footwear industry has ever seen. These lace-ups come with the most extricate and unique detailing, making them incredibly distinctive.
Church's
6/20
Price: From $1,200
Sizes: 5-13
Material: Calf leather
Owned by Prada, Church’s is a to-go footwear brand serving the most iconic boots, loafers and dress shoes since 1873. Their collection seamless blends timeless looks with modernised features to create some of the best English-made dress shoes. These men’s black dress shoes highlight impeccable craftsmanship, with a range of shoes including delicate finishing touches. From superior internal lining to supportive soles, these are some of the best black dress shoes around.
Johnston & Murphy
7/20
Price: From $169
Sizes: 7-15
Material: Italian leather
Johnston & Murphy has been the pillar of classic American style since 1850 – they have even custom made shoes for many U.S presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and JFK. Johnston & Murphy’s Melton Cap Toe is one of the best black dress black shoes on the market. This design is premium European leather and comes with an exclusive Optima multi-layered cushioning, providing ultimate comfort.
Ace Marks
8/20
Price: From $324
Sizes: 5-15
Material: Calfskin leather
Founded in 2012, Ace Marks created the finest men’s shoes available for the most reasonable prices. These men’s Italian leather black dress shoes come in many different styles catering to every gentlemen’s taste. If you’re looking for something a little more quirky, Ace Mark also have two-toned coloured shoes, bound to make a statement from the moment you enter any room.
Beckett Simonon
9/20
Price: From $209
Sizes: 7-14
Material: Italian leather
Cut from gold-rated leather, these shoes are not only stylish, but they’re the highest certification of traceability, chemical, and environmental performance compliance. If you’re looking to invest in some luxurious men’s black dress shoes that are also eco-conscious, then make sure you check out this collection.
Hugo Boss
10/20
Price: From $199
Sizes: 6-12
Material: 100% Cow leather
German luxury fashion house Hugo Boss is renowned for its exquisite range of men’s clothing, accessories, fragrances and even footwear. Their collection of black men’s dress shoes are perfect for lifting the rest of your business and formal outfit. From outlast lining to burnished leather, these shoes come with unique detailing putting them in a league of their own.
Reiss
11/20
Price: From $290
Sizes: 8-13
Material: 100% Leather
Reiss launched in 1971 on a philosophy centred around producing design-led menswear collections, including their incredibly-made formal dress shoes. Reiss black dress shoes marry classic and contemporary aesthetics to create their highly unique range. Make sure you grab a pair of these kicks for your next black-tie event.
Charles Tyrwhitt
12/20
Price: From $225
Sizes: 7-12
Material: Leather
Since 1986, Charlie Tyrwhitt has delivered timeless pieces to make you look and feel your absolute best. If you’re looking for sophisticated wingtips and oxfords, then you’ve come to the right place. These shoes are also highly supportive, as they come with thick, durable rubber soles and leather comfort insoles, ensuring your feet feel cosy all night.
Ted Baker
13/20
Price: From $170
Sizes: 8-12
Material: 100% Bovine leather
The British tailoring brand provides luxurious pieces with a slightly modern twist, including their selection of well-made black dress shoes. These hybrid designer dress shoes are some of the best on the market right now, as they’re cut from the finest leather and come with a chunky leather sole for extra support. If you’re looking for unconventional men’s dress shoes, Ted Baker is for you.
Paul Smith
14/20
Price: From $325
Sizes: 7-12
Material: 100% Leather
Aside from pioneering menswear, Paul Smith is home to the best men’s dress shoes, with a diverse range available in different styles and materials. If you’re after something a little more untraditional, then these black dress shoes are for you. Paul Smith designs everything, including dress shoes with colourful tonal stitching to elegant formal loafers, to provide you with something truly unique.
TAFT
15/20
Price: From $275
Sizes: 6-15
Material: Leather
TAFT dress shoes are manufactured in Spain, and Portugal cut from the finest textiles met with a modern design. If you’re after some flamboyant and bold prints, make sure you visit their online store. These regal patterns are the perfect way to introduce a little colour into your formal footwear collection.
Ecco
16/20
Price: From $150
Sizes: 5-14.5
Material: Bovine leather
Ecco is a”leading premium brand for shoes and leather goods”, making some of the best black dress shoes. These men’s dress shoes are incredibly durable thanks to their impressive leather material sourced from their own tanneries. These shoes are high tech, as they come with moulded footbeds for extra cushioning and lightweight soles, making them exceptionally comfortable.
Clarks
17/20
Price: From $100
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Clarks has been around for almost two centuries, providing footwear highlighting innovation and superb craftsmanship. These shoes are treated with meticulous detail, as they provide soft cushioning and insoles for extra comfort. Also, these black dress shoes are currently on sale, so make sure you get in quick.
Hush Puppies
18/20
Price: From $110
Sizes: 7-13
Material: Leather
Though Hush Puppies is primarily known for its casual shoes, they also supply some of the most stylish formal oxford shoes. This selection includes formal dress shoes suitable for every black-tie event to casual designs perfect for everyday wear.
Suitsupply
19/20
Price: From $249
Sizes: 6-14
Material: Calf leather
Suitsupply uses materials sourced from reputable Italian mills to create its impeccable range. These are some of the best black dress shoes in oxford styles cut from patent and calf leather, delivering a super sharp look for every formal occasion.
Steve Madden
20/20
Price: From $100
Sizes: 6-15
Material: Leather
It’s no secret Steve Madden is one of the most well-known footwear companies, cultivating a reputation for its daring designs inspired by a New York and rock ‘n’ roll culture. If you’re after the best black dress shoes featuring eccentric patterns and bold detailing, make sure you delve into this collection.