7 Best Formal Shoes Brands for Men That Fits Right [December, 2023]

As the old saying goes, shoes speak louder than words. So, it is important to pick the right shoe brand, especially if it is for formal events. Now, where to find the best formal shoes brands that speak loudly while it stays true to your style?

Right here! We have curated a list of the best formal shoes brands for men in India just for you. Our list encompasses reputable brands that offer a wide range of selections. Whether it is for a black tie event, a wedding or everyday office shoes, you can find the shoes that fit you right.

Without any further ado, let’s jump right into the list.

Product Overview

1. Lee Cooper

Shop Now

Shop Now

Lee Cooper, our number one pick is arguably the most popular formal men shoes brand around the world. The brand offers an array of elegant long-lasting formal shoes in many different colours. They have been doing so since 1908 when they started out in London’s east end.

If you are looking for a brand that offers classic, versatile shoes, then Lee Cooper is the best brand for you. You can find everything you need from formal Oxfords, leather loafers, and Derbys, to newer experimental formal styles.

What’s Great about Lee Cooper?

• An established and trustworthy brand for over a century
• Wide range of choices
• Ease of availability across online and offline sales channels

Pros:

• High quality leather shoes
• Classic and versatile styles like Oxfords, Derbys, Loafers
• Good comfort and durability
• Affordable pricing
• Easily available online and offline

Cons:

• Limited trendy and modern designs
• Not many width options

With a starting price of ₹2,000, Lee Cooper offers an extensive range of formal shoes for men in leather including lace-ups, slip-ons, monk shoes, oxfords, derby shoes in colours like black, brown, tan etc. Their shoes strike the perfect balance between affordability, quality and style.

Best Shoes: Oxford Shoes, Derby Shoes, Monk Shoes

Price Range: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000

Ratings: 4.2/5

2. Woodland

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

Although woodland is famous for its outdoor shoes and performance apparel, they have an extensive collection of formal shoes. Woodland’s products entered India in 1992 since then they have been a trusted brand for millions of customers. Their collection is manufactured and assembled under the guidance of experienced, industry experts.

True to their brand reputation, their formal shoe collection combines quality, style, and comfort. They have an option for every style, every occasion. No matter, which one you chose, your shoes will not go unnoticed.

What’s Great about Woodland?

• Fashionable, high-quality supply of formal shoes
• Most of their shoes come with warranty against manufacturing defects
• Reputed brand name in the country

Pros:

• Fashionable and trendy styles
• Durable with warranty on manufacturing defects
• Better comfort than leather shoes
• Good shock absorption

Cons:

• Mostly synthetic shoes, less leather
• Limited width sizes

Woodland offers a contemporary range of formal shoes for men including oxfords, derby shoes, loafers, monk shoes in shades of black, brown, navy blue, tan etc. The shoes feature the brand’s unique comfort technology for better cushioning.

Best Shoes: Derby Shoes, Loafers

Price Range: ₹3,000 – ₹6,000

Ratings: 4.3/5

3. Clarks

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

Next up on our list, we have the famous brand, Clarks. The brand is 200 years old with an archive of over 22,000 styles. Today, they are one of the most trusted brands for men’s formal shoes in the world.

Their collection includes some excellent formal shoes like Lace up, Slip ons, Derby, Oxford, and Brogues. They are generally available in brown and black leather. You can style Clarks shoes with kurta pajamas or your formal shirts and be sure to look sophisticated and stylish.

What’s Great About Clarks?

• 200 years of craftsmanship in manufacturing shoes
• One of the best formal shoes brands in the world
• Excellent and unique designs

Pros:

• Excellent quality and unique designs
• Made using fine leather
• Great comfort and styling
• Slip resistant rubber soles

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other brands
• Limited trendy options

Clarks shoes feature excellent cushioning and shock absorption. The brand offers classic styles like oxfords, derbys, monk shoes, brogues in black and brown leather. The shoes are perfect for both traditional and contemporary formal ensembles.

Best Shoes: Oxford Shoes, Monk Shoes, Brogues

Price Range: ₹4,000 – ₹8,000

Ratings: 4.5/5

4. Louis Philippe

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

Launched in 1989, Louis Philippe is an Indian origin premium men’s apparel and footwear brand. The brand is an international sensation because of its luxury appeal and comfort.

Similar to other high-end brands, they have an amazing collection of formal shoes. It majorly has a range of slip on shoes, lace up shoes, and oxfords. No matter which shoes you pick, their embellished logo and quality leather completes your formal look like nothing else.

What’s Great about Louis Philippe?

• Broad range of formal shoe collection
• High-quality leather and other manufacturing material
• Highly fashionable luxury designs

Pros:

• Premium quality and finish
• Luxurious and stylish designs
• Cushioned footbed for comfort
• Shock absorbent rubber sole

Cons:

• Very expensive
• Limited designs

The brand’s collection includes oxfords, derbys, loafers, monk shoes in hues of black, brown, tan, burgundy finished with meticulous details and branding elements. The shoes are perfect for making a style statement at weddings, parties and corporate events.

Best Shoes: Oxford Shoes, Loafers

Price Range: ₹5,000 – ₹12,000

Ratings: 4.4/5

5. Steve Madden

Shop Now

Shop Now

Steve Madden is a New York based company launched in 1990. The broad range of shoes and accessories under its label has become very popular in India over the past few years. Their formal shoe collection for men has especially become a preference for many in the country.

The brand’s popular shoes include Brown Monk Shoes, Men’s Black Loafers, and Navy Loafers. These shoes are particularly famous for their sweat-free features and extra comfort. If you are looking for something classy and comfy, this is the best formal shoes brands for men in India.

What’s Great about Steve Madden?

• Modern designs in a wider range of colours
• Uses only high-quality leather for manufacturing
• Feels and looks luxurious

Pros:

• Contemporary and trendy styles
• Cushioned insoles for comfort
• Premium leather construction
• Slip resistant rubber soles

Cons:

• Sizing can be slightly off
• Not great durability

Steve Madden offers luxe loafers, oxfords, monk shoes, derbys for men in shades of black, brown, tan etc. The shoes feature intricate detailing and are perfect for both formal and semi-formal occasions.

Best Shoes: Loafers, Monk Shoes

Price Range: ₹4,000 – ₹10,000

Ratings: 4.1/5

6. Red Tape

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

One of the finest formal men’s shoes collections is manufactured and sold by Red Tape. The lifestyle brand has established its footprints around the world since its conceptualization in 1996 in India. Their collection includes an array of high-quality shoes made with a focus on fashion and craftsmanship.

Red Tape offers lace up formal shoes, derby shoes, and slip on shoes among others. They are available in many shades of black and brown colours. Some of the shoes even have excellent intricate detailing that makes you look unique during formal occasions.

What’s Great about Red Tape?

• Modern and fashionable shoe choices
• Genuine leather shoes in various colours
• Globally recognized Indian brand

Pros:

• Contemporary and stylish designs
• Quality leather construction
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Budget friendly pricing

Cons:

• Durability is average
• Limited width sizes

Red Tape offers classic oxfords, derbys, loafers, monk shoes for men in hues of black, brown, navy blue, white etc. The shoes feature detailed stitching and textured finishes. Overall, great value for money formal shoes.

Best Shoes: Derby Shoes, Loafers

Price Range: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000

Ratings: 4.0/5

7. Bata Shoes

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

With over five thousand retail showrooms in about 70 countries, Bata serves over an estimated 1 million customers per day. The brand entered the Indian market in the early 1930s and has become a household name now. The brand is known for its high-quality footwear priced in an affordable range.

The classic brand is mainly known for its comfort and versatility. Their collection includes formal shoes of all major kinds made of patent leather and/or genuine leather. Most of their shoe collection have PU sole that provides the perfect amount of comfort for everyday wear.

What’s Great about Bata?

• People’s favourite owing to affordability and reliable quality
• Long-lasting formal shoes
• Wide range of classic designs

Pros:

• Highly affordable pricing
• Decent quality and comfort
• Classic and versatile designs
• Easily available across stores

Cons:

• Limited contemporary styles
• Durability is average

Bata offers essential formal shoes for men like oxfords, derbys, loafers, monk shoes in classic black and brown leather. The shoes are comfortable enough for daily wear and perfect for dressing on a budget.

Best Shoes: Oxford Shoes, Derby Shoes

Price Range: ₹1,000 – ₹3,000

Ratings: 3.9/5

Buying Guide for Choosing the Best Formal Shoes Brands for Men

Here are some tips to help you choose the right formal shoes brand in India:

• Style: Pick classic styles like oxfords or derbys for traditional wear and monk shoes, loafers for modern ensembles.
• Material: Go for genuine leather shoes as they are breathable, durable and stylish. The best formal shoes are made using Italian or full-grain leather.
• Comfort: Look for cushioned insoles, shock absorbent rubber soles and width size options for maximum comfort.
• Quality: Opt for established brands like Clarks, Louis Philippe, Lee Cooper that offer better construction and finesse.
• Occasion: Formal lace-ups and oxfords are perfect for formal events and derbys, loafers for semi-formal wear.
• Budget: Clarks, Lee Cooper, Red Tape are great affordable brands while Louis Philippe and Steve Madden are premium options.
• Size and Fit: Make sure to pick the right size and width for a comfortable and secure fit. Wear with socks to avoid friction.
• Care and Maintenance: Invest in a shoe care kit and store the shoes with shoe trees to enhance longevity.

Closing Lines

Picking the right pair of shoes is extremely important, more so if it is for a formal event. It reflects your sense of style and your eye for detail. So, be wise to choose a brand that you can rely on.

If you are worried about the costs of purchasing from some of these brands, you need not be. Although they may seem expensive, they last for years with good care.

If you have any more questions regarding the best formal shoes brands , you can find answers to them in the following section.

FAQs

Q. What are the best formal shoe brands for men in India?

Ans. Some of the best brands that offer amazing quality formal shoes for men include – Lee Cooper, Woodland, Clarks, Louis Philippe, Steve Madden, Red Tape, and Bata Shoes. Other options include Bridlen, Pelle Santino, Hush Puppies, Invictus, and Burwood.

Q. What Shoes Should I Wear with Indian Formals?

Ans. Oxfords and lace ups are exceptionally well-suited for Indian wear on formal occasions. However, loafers and slip ons also look good.

Q. What Shoes Should I Wear with Tux?

Ans. A well-polished pair of black oxfords made from patent leather can be an excellent choice for a tuxedo or a three-piece suit. You can also wear brown or white oxfords if black is not your style. A tux derby will also be a good pairing for a tux.

Q. Which is better oxford or derby shoes?

Both oxfords and derbys are great for formal wear. Oxfords offer a sleeker look with closed lacing while derbys have open lacing for a more casual style. Oxfords are more versatile for formal events.

Q. What shoes should I wear with kurta pajama?

For Indian ethnic wear, you can wear brown or black formal shoes like oxfords, derbys, monk shoes or mojaris. Opt for genuine leather shoes for better comfort and styling.

Q. Are loafer shoes formal?

Loafers can be worn for smart casual or business casual dress codes but are not considered formal. Stick to lace-up shoes like oxfords or derbys for formal events.

Q. How much should one spend on formal shoes?

Invest at least ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 for a decent pair of leather formal shoes that will last long. Premium dress shoes from brands like Clarks and Louis Philippe can cost ₹8,000 upwards.

Q. How to take care of formal leather shoes?

Use a shoe tree to retain the shape and structure when not worn. Polish regularly with wax-based creams. Use a shoe shiner brush before wearing. Condition them every few months. Store them in shoe bags.