It’s the night before your fancy business event and you already have your outfit planned. But what color shoes go with a light gray suit? You’ve had this suit in your closet for years, and now is the best time to wear it! Don’t give up on it again simply because you don’t know how to style it.
Whether you’re dressing up for a business event or something a bit more casual, a light gray suit is always a good choice. It never goes out of style! Still, owning one means nothing if you always choose your black one, simply because you have shoes that always work in your favor.
Have you ever tried wearing those shoes with your light gray suit? They’ll probably work! This shade isn’t as difficult to style as you might believe. There’s not much that can go wrong, as long as you keep things simple.
We’re here to help you be the most fashionable person at the event! Let’s see what color shoes go with a light gray suit, and what are some other things you should pay attention to when putting your outfit together.
Some things to consider before choosing the right pair of shoes
Knowing what color shoes go with a light gray suit isn’t the only thing you need. No matter how easy it may seem to dress up when you’re a man, there are some rules you should follow. I know, I know… Who likes rules in fashion?! Well, in this situation, they might be helpful.
We’re here to tell you a little secret: almost any color of your shoes can work well with your suit if you have a belt that matches them. Don’t go for a black belt because it seems like a huge contrast to your light gray suit if you don’t have shoes that will match it.
Matching your shoes this way can transform your look. Next time you’re buying a new pair, make sure you purchase a matching belt, too. That way, you’ll never have to worry about styling your suit, and you’ll always have an outfit ready. Works like magic!
On top of that, it’s crucial to consider the event you’re going to. Black shoes are always a good option for formal events, while any shade of lighter brown will create a perfect semi-casual look.
If the color of your socks is one of your concerns – just stick to gray. No matter what shade of shoes you opt for, gray socks will go ideally with a light gray suit. Although it might be tempting to match them with the color of your footwear, pairing them with your pants is the right way to go.
What color shoes go with a light gray suit?
Now, let’s deal with the question that got you here in the first place – what color shoes go with a light gray suit? You’ll see, it’s not rocket science. The most important thing to do is to consider the formality of your event. From there, choosing the right pair of shoes will be a breeze. Let’s see what are your options.
1. Black shoes for a professional look
Every man should have a pair of black dress shoes in his closet. They’re always the best option for formal occasions, no matter the color of your suit. You’ll never have to worry about being underdressed and getting weird looks from fancy people at your business event.
Maybe you’re afraid that your outfit will be too plain, but there’s no need for you to choose something crazy. Stick to neutral colors, no matter how boring it may look when you picture it in your head.
Pairing black shoes with a light gray suit will create a perfect contrast, so your outfit will be far from monochromatic and boring. In fact, it will probably make you the most stylish person in the room!
Since a light gray suit isn’t the most formal one you can choose, black shoes will give it the dose of formality you need. When it comes to the rest of your outfit, make sure you style it with black accessories.
Don’t try to add some color to your look with a brown belt! It’s a huge no in this case. Style your black shoes with a black belt for a perfect contrast. If you’re looking for something even more formal, a black tie will be like a cherry on top.
For a shirt, stick to white, and you can pair it with a white pocket square. You won’t be able to recognize the fancy man in your mirror!
2. Tan shoes for less serious occasions
If you have a semi-formal event to dress up for, tan shoes are the safest choice. If you already don’t own a pair, we recommend you go for Dockers Colleague Dress Penny Loafer Shoe. They’re elegant and sophisticated, yet they still won’t make you overdressed. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
An event that requires you to dress a bit more casually while still keeping a dose of formality is a perfect time to put on your tan shoes. Whether it’s a wedding or a business party in a garden, a light gray suit and tan shoes combo is the way to go.
As always, pair it with a matching belt to put the look together. When it comes to ties, you’ve got a bit more freedom to experiment here. If you’re wearing a white shirt, you can choose a burgundy, dark blue, or even a light gray one.
It’s a great way to add a bit of color to your look while still keeping it on the smart-casual side. If you’re someone who likes to wear a pocket square, you can always match it to the color of your tie or the shirt you’re wearing underneath.
3. White sneakers for a semi-formal occasion
Now, if you’re feeling brave enough to experiment, you can always try styling your light gray suit with white sneakers for a semi-formal look. Although you’re wearing a suit, wearing it with this type of footwear will keep it on the more casual side.
For example, pair your favorite pair of Nike Air Force 1 ’07 with your suit and enjoy looking and feeling comfortable at the same time.
This is a great choice for those of you who simply can’t imagine yourself wearing shoes when you spend most of your life in sneakers. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
In fact, people will probably look at you as someone who’s into fashion, even though you were out there googling “what color shoes go with a light gray suit” the day before. But no one has to know that…
Keep it simple with a white shirt underneath. If you’re wearing a button-up, you can try unbuttoning it a bit and see how it feels. Look-wise – you can’t make a mistake, but you still need to wear it with confidence in order to make the look work for you.
Whatever you do, don’t wear a tie with this outfit. It’s a contrast you don’t want to create, as ties and sneakers are on two completely opposite sides of the spectrum. Keep your look simple, a pair of white sneakers, a white shirt, and no belt should create a pretty stylish semi-formal look.
4. Burgundy shoes for a stylish look
It’s hard to resist a pair of classy burgundy shoes, and in this case – you don’t have to! For a smart-casual setting, pairing this shade of red with a light gray suit will be an amazing choice that will make the heads turn.
Burgundy is a pretty eye-catching color, so don’t shy away from a few looks that you’re about to get. It’s not every day that you see people wear burgundy shoes, which is why it’s a great choice for casual events. Plus, they will most definitely make you feel good, too.
Since gray suits are also ideal for social occasions, you really can’t make a mistake here. Styling it is pretty simple, too. As always, adding a bit of color with the matching belt is a way to go. Fashion doesn’t seem that hard now, does it?
When it comes to your choice of ties, a burgundy one will put the whole look together. You’ll look like you really know what you’re doing! Don’t be surprised if some people come to you for fashion advice. We won’t tell them you were here…
Conclusion
So, next time you’re planning to wear your gray suit but don’t know how to style it, make sure you think about the event you’re going to. Is it super fancy and professional? Then go for the classic black shoes and belt combo. When in doubt, keep it simple.
However, if you’re looking for a more casual outfit, you’ve got a bit more options here. For a semi-formal event, pretty much any shade of brown will work for you.
For an even more casual option, go for classic white sneakers paired with a white button-up shirt. No matter how it sounds – don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
And, remember – always match your shoes with your belt. That way, you’ll be sure your outfit is not a miss, and you can enjoy your night being one of the most stylish people in the room. Enjoy the spotlight, fashion king!
