The Black Shoe Is Back

You know what looks good again? You know what will complete your European look? After years of mostly brown leather—and sometimes zany, exotic colors— the black shoe is back on solid ground.

(from right to left)

Blacked–out Bucks
Black shoes are to the French what brown are to Italians: the foundation of good style. And when Mark McNairy—who made colored soles cool—is doing black bucks, you know it's officially a thing.
$498 Mark McNairy New Amsterdam. Pants, Burberry London. Socks, Etro. 

Spit–polished Loafers
Black loafers haven't looked this sweet since Michael Jackson made them dance. And check how noisy plaid pants get taken down a notch against the solid-black base.
$595 Giorgio Armani. Pants, Louis Vuitton. 

Dressed–down Dress Shoes
Ditch the idea that black is for funerals and weddings. It's also good for bar mitzvahs, lunches, late-night ragers, walking the dog, trips to the dentist, the biggest meeting of your life.
$950 Prada. Pants, Prada. Socks, Paul Stuart. 

The Return of the Split–toe
Quit thinking of “dress” and “casual” as separate genres. Fancy split-toes are back and can be worn with a spiffy suit or old jeans. Take note, brown-shoe lifers: Time to transition.
$499 Common Projects. Jeans, True Religion. Socks, Gold Toe. 

High–low Hybrids
Business up top, party down below—thanks to the glossy leather uppers and low-key gum soles. There are now more varieties of black dress shoes than ever.
$625 Tod's. Pants, Club Monaco. Socks, Pantherella.