Men's Fashion Advice Needed: Navy Suit and Brown Shoes

[Alidar Jarok]

Alidar, would you be able to declare a new suit as a tax deduction if bought and worn only for professional business reasons? Just thinking about your budget comment.

Possibly. I don't know enough about tax law to know for sure so I'd have to look into it. Still, January 2 is a particularly bad time to buy something and write it off on ones taxes. My concern is more about cash on hand (it's admittedly a manageable expense, but it's still a large expense to spend all at once). Also, I'm not sure I'd only wear it for professional business reasons.

I looked this up a few years ago because a coworker was (incorrectly) convinced that we could deduct our work clothes....

Uniforms are deductible if they are a condition of employment and if they are not appropriate for personal use. That's it. Other work clothes such as a lawyer's business suit or a server's black trousers and white shirt are not deductible because you can wear them elsewhere, even if you don't.

Thanks. That's what I figured might be the case. After learning that the fees associated with the bar exam weren't tax deductible, I became skeptical that many things are. Certainly, I would probably use any business clothes I buy for other occasions anyway.

 

[HIjol]

Since I wear a suit every day, I've realized that my current two suits (one black, one light gray) is becoming increasingly untenable. Because of that, I went out and got a new suit - with a choice between charcoal and navy, I decided to go with navy. Unfortunately, no pictures to show the exact color because it's being tailored right now.

Now I've seen some debate about this. Apparently the traditional rule is to never wear brown shoes with a navy suit. But I've also heard the opposite (i.e., only wear brown shoes with a navy suit). Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Also, would they be dark brown or more of a light brown?

In addition, since I'm very much on a budget, I was thinking the brown shoes would work well with my light gray suit. But I'm wondering if a different shade of brown works better with light gray?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Two simple rules -

1. Never wear brown shoes with any suit that is black, blue or grey.
2. Never wear any suit that you could wear brown shoes with.

+1

 

[Tora Ziyal]

-1

The only color suit you absolutely shouldn't wear brown shoes with is black. Brown shoes can look very nice with blue, medium/light gray (charcoal should probably be treated as black), and tan.

Also, there's no such thing as a suit color that you should never wear. It all depends on what looks good with your skin tone, how you accessorize it, and where you are going.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Words of higher wisdom were never spoken.

Beside, I love brown. It's a very underappreciated colour. With the overabundance of black, grey, and navy in men's wear, it makes you stand out without being flashy. It's also a very "academic" colour, with fits very well with my "quirky young professor" look.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Have you thought about tweed?

 

[iguana_tonante]

Too obvious.

 

[doubleohfive]

A few years ago one of my best friends got married. We as groomsmen all had to wear navy blue suits with brown shoes and bright lime green ties. I quite liked the look, myself, but only with the darker brown shoes like I was wearing. You can decide for yourself:

 

[Sector 7]

Possibly. I don't know enough about tax law to know for sure so I'd have to look into it. Still, January 2 is a particularly bad time to buy something and write it off on ones taxes. My concern is more about cash on hand (it's admittedly a manageable expense, but it's still a large expense to spend all at once). Also, I'm not sure I'd only wear it for professional business reasons.

When I first got into business, a friend took me to Goodwill in a wealthy community. For less than the price of one cheap suit, I was able to get several. A few Saturdays later, I had my first complete wardrobe. I could then save my money for shoes, belts, ties & pocket squares/handkerchief combos.

Several years later, when I had my own successful business (and a good bit more money), I met Alexander Julian (the famous menswear designer) in Charlotte. He taught me how to "dress for success" in business. This included the advice on belts and shoes. Another thing I learned was that a tie and pocket square/handkerchief can really dress up an existing suit.

For instance, your black suit is not "boring" when paired with an emerald green tie and pocket square. You CAN be tasteful and dazzling at the same time, Alidar Jarok.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Words of higher wisdom were never spoken.

Ooh, I am so going to quote that out of context!

Beside, I love brown. It's a very underappreciated colour. With the overabundance of black, grey, and navy in men's wear, it makes you stand out without being flashy. It's also a very "academic" colour, with fits very well with my "quirky young professor" look.

I never wear brown -- it doesn't flatter me at all. But I can appreciate it on others. And, yes, it sounds perfect for a "quirky young professor".

For instance, your black suit is not "boring" when paired with an emerald green tie and pocket square. You CAN be tasteful and dazzling at the same time, Alidar Jarok.

Oh, yes!

 

[iguana_tonante]

Words of higher wisdom were never spoken.

Ooh, I am so going to quote that out of context!

That's the best kind of quoting!

 

[Alidar Jarok]

So, funny story (OK, not really). I ordered shoes online (given the price and reviews, it was worth getting them without trying them on first). I thought I was ordering a dark brown, but now that they've arrived, they're clearly Oxblood/Cordovan. So, now I own some Oxblood shoes instead.

The only downside is I don't have a matching belt.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

^ Sounds like you have some more shopping to do!

 

[comsol]

Alidar,

I think that is probably for the best. Although it depends on the shades of color of the various items, I think that the oxblood shoes will end up being more versatile for you than the brown shoes would have been, not to mention being more interesting.

 

[Sector 7]

So, funny story (OK, not really). I ordered shoes online (given the price and reviews, it was worth getting them without trying them on first). I thought I was ordering a dark brown, but now that they've arrived, they're clearly Oxblood/Cordovan. So, now I own some Oxblood shoes instead.

The only downside is I don't have a matching belt.

Congratulations! This is a much better outcome than plain brown. Do yourself a favor: take the shoes to a store and match the belt to the shoes.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Everybody wins!

 

[siskokid888]

Brown shoes with a blue/navy/black suit used to be verboten, but in recent men's fashion mags I've noticed brown shoes, usually darker brown, being paired with these color suits. Fashion is always in flux.

 

[Sector 7]

Brown shoes with a blue/navy/black suit used to be verboten, but in recent men's fashion mags I've noticed brown shoes, usually darker brown, being paired with these color suits. Fashion is always in flux.

I was taught that after 6 pm, one should not wear brown. As you said, "The times they are a-changing".