I sort of admire the no brown in town rule, even if its dead, or as Manton revealed in his book, there was a somewhat "official" withdrawal of the rule.  Not to say that I follow that rule, but I like the authoritarian impulse behind it.

Last edited by Horace (2006-06-19 14:24:04)

I've noticed more men wearing brown shoes that appear expensive but are really more mid-range than anything else. Such qualities as factory antiquing and an hyperbolic chisel toe usually are the tell-tale signs.

I do detest that grey or chalk striped suit with chiselled brown pointy shoe look - it's so I wannabee in with the Maestros of old Napoli to be affectation.

I will quite seamlessly wear brown in town, but generally because it matches what I am wearing.

Funnily enough, at the time of FNB's original posting, I did have a decent OTP Pal Zileri suit in an orange pinstripe. I can't remember now if I sported it with brown shoes or not, likely yes.

Various hues of Autumnal tattershalls yes, besides that, I would sport a short-sleeved brown OCBD or chambray in beach environments, but none other.

Yes.

No.

What about green shoes?

I think FNB's OP about shoes driving cloth choices has proven to be very insightful. Certainly I think the preference has clearly shifted toward wearing brown or burgundy shoes with blue and grey suits over the last few years. You rarely see true dark navy or charcoal suits in RTW, as these fabrics don't go well with brown shoes, while the lighter shades of 'French navy' and mid to light greys work better. Most stuff seems to be paried with brown shoes in promos as well these days, sometimes you can even spot the odd unbuckled monk shoe on the models {shiver}.

On the shoe side you are now seeing iGents commission these formal style/informal leather hybrids - mongrels - usually in shades of brown: e.g. dark brown "austerity" brogues, or sleek swept back monks designed to be made in black calf but MTO in stinky reindeer nose or reverse hippo. Presumably these confused creations are for wear with suits in Conservative workplaces.

Me? I usually wear brown shoes with sportcoats, black shoes with suits as a loose guideline. Of course 'brown shoes' covers a lot of territory, from almost-black 'espresso' captoes to antiqued chestnut brogued double monks (not that I own anything like the latter...)