Dress shoes on a woman and a manA dress shoe (U.S. English) is a shoe used as a component of formal wear. A dress shoe is typically contrasted to an athletic shoe.Dress shoes are widely used in dance and for evening parties and special occasions.Men’s Dress ShoesMen’s dress shoes are most commonly black or cordovan in color. Other colors include: brown, burgundy, oxblood, chestnut or white.LoafersLoafers come in both men’s and women’s styles. It is not unusual for a man’s loafer to have a tassel, although a tassel can be seen in women’s varieties too. In actuality, the men’s and women’s loafers are quite similar, which is why the loafer is typically thought of a more masculine shoe.OxfordsOxfords lace up and tie to keep them on the wearer’s foot. They are typically made of leather, but can also be constructed of suede and other similar materials. Some Oxfords have an additional piece of leather sewn over the toe section.BroguesBrogues, or wingtips (the standard American name), are similar to oxfords, but different in that the additional piece of leather sewn over the toe section is in a W shape, resembling that of a bird’s wingspan, hence the American name for these shoes. While a brogue is a specific shoe, the term “wingtip” can refer to any type of shoe that has the W shape on the toe, including boots.Women’s Dress ShoesWomen’s dress shoes come in a variety of colors: black, silver, gold, tan or white and they may also match the color of the gown, dress or suit being worn. Almost all women’s dress shoes are high-heeled.PumpsPumps are typically thought of as a staple in any woman’s wardrobe, and come in a variety of colors and styles. They can have a rounded or pointed toe, and are usually made of leather. They have a heel of at least 5 cm (2 inches). Today, pumps have evolved beyond the classic working woman’s shoe. Now, there are peep toe pumps, which have a small opening at the toe. There are also pumps with ankle straps. Not only have the styles evolved, the fabrics have as well. While almost all pumps used to be made of leather, pumps now come in a variety of materials, such as suede and wool.SlingbacksThe slingback is similar to the pump in that it can have a rounded or pointed toe and usually has a heel, but it doesn’t wrap all the way around the heel like pumps usually do. Instead, it has a narrow strap that is pulled up over the heel, leaving the rest of the heel exposed.LoafersLoafers are usually flat and typically thought of as more masculine and comfortable than anything with a heel. The typical loafer has a square toe, and comes in darker colors, such as black or brown. One spin on the loafer is the cloak, which is a slip-on shoe, just like the loafer is, but it has a heel and is a little more feminine than the average loafer.MulesMules are shoes that slide onto the foot, and do not cover the heel or the back of the foot at all. These aren’t considered dress shoes unless they have a heel.Ballet FlatsThe ballet flat hasn’t been a popular fashion trend until sometime within the last five years. Taken from the art of ballet, as their name implies, they are flat shoes with a rounded toe, and come in many different colors and patterns. The classic ballet flat has a small bow on the toe, but this style has evolved to include varieties without bows.SandalsWhile sandals are usually more casual, there are some sandals that can be worn with dress clothes. For example, any sandal that has a heel, many straps, or a shiny finish would probably be acceptable in a more formal atmosphere.
