Reader Questions

From Jess

"I am eyeing a pair of very dressy burgundy wingtips but I don't want to blow my money on them if I'll never wear them. I don't wear a suit more than once every few months, though I dress pretty nicely (sweaters, button-down shirts, slacks) day to day. So I guess my question is whether this kind of shoe is good with anything other than a suit, and if so when. I guess I'm a little gun shy here because they're so much dressier than any shoes I've ever had."

Brogues are the least formal oxford and though they are perhaps not the ideal shoe to wear with worsted suits they do pair well with tweeds and flannels. That said, I think you'd get more wear from a pair of bluchers with open lacing, like the pictured shoes from Gaziano & Girling. The less formal bluchers can be worn anywhere that the brogues are appropriate and they work better without a jacket.