Dress shoes

Dress shoes crown the festive ensemble. The shoes used with the suit can roughly be divided into two groups, oxford and Derby style shoes. In an Oxford shoe, the upper is attached smoothly under the toe part of the shoe, while in a Derby model shoe, these parts where the strap is fastened are sewn on top of the toe part. In a Derby shoe, the toe part and the tongue of the shoe are a single piece, unlike in an Oxford, where these are separate pieces.

Another essential thing when choosing a dress shoe is the sole and especially its manufacturing method. As dress shoes, especially at parties, it is good to prefer a high-quality leather-soled shoe made with traditional methods. Of course, the stitched leather sole is also a significantly more pleasant, high-quality and durable choice than the glued sole, not to mention the style. In the construction of the leather sole, two traditional methods are preferred, Blake Welt or Goodyear welt, which are named after their developers. Both ways have their advantages and supporters. At Saarni, most shoes are made using the Blake Welt method, which is more typical for Italian shoes. The strengths of this method are e.g. more flexible structure.

The most traditional and safest choice for a dress shoe is an Oxford-style shoe with a thin sole, especially if the outfit is to participate in a party where the dress code is a suit.

In the past, it was thought that a black shoe is the safest and most versatile of all, but today it seems that brown has superseded that idea. A dark brown shoe is often easier and safer to combine with a suit of many different shades, with the exception of course a black suit, with which a black shoe is probably the only right choice. 

In Finland, a Derby model leather shoe is also very suitable as a dress shoe, as long as the tone and style are taken into account. In some countries, however, etiquette is followed more literally and Derby shoes are preferred for more casual wear. So you should always take this into account when you think about how to dress for different occasions at home or in the world.

At Saarni, you can find both oxford and Derby models, high-quality, traditionally made shoes in different shades and patterns to brighten up the office or dazzle at parties! We are happy to help you choose the right shoe that is just right for you and your style.