Best Formal Shoe Brands For Men in India 2024 – Review & Buying Guide

There are a lot of great shoe brands out there and a lot of different types of shoes to choose from. The best part is, since there is widespread competition, you can get yourself a really good pair without having to pay a high premium. And do not worry about quality, the brands we list here are top-notch and do not compromise on quality even a bit. Let us take a deeper look into the best formal shoe brands in India.

Bata, Lee Cooper, Hush Puppies, Red Tape, Alberto Torresi, and more are some top of the line brands that make an excellent variety of formal shoes in India. If you’re an Indian guy and want to make an aesthetic and pleasant impression no matter where you’re going, a good branded formal shoe will always enhance your personality and looks.

The foundation of any ensemble is shoes. You’ve probably heard the maxim, “You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes.”

A good pair of shoes can amp up your appearance while a bad pair will drag it down. Not only that, but well-made shoes also last better in the long run. You’ll wear them for years to many different events with many different outfits, so making the right choice is vital.

However, with a seemingly never-ending selection of footwear styles available both in stores and online, shopping for shoes can be overwhelming.

List of Best Formal Shoe Brands of 2024

So our men’s fashion experts have tried some best and world-class brands for formal shoes in India. Here we’ve listed some of them with their honest review regarding each brand. If you’re planning to go on a date, meeting, or even a formal function, these formal shoes for men will make you look good with a charming personality.

Before you pick any formal shoe brand here we would like to share our honest reviews about each brand that what we liked in the shoes of this brand and what we don’t. So this will clear the topic better way.

S. No.	Best Formal Shoe Brands	Price
1.	Hush Puppies	Starting Rs. 1,484
2.	Red Chief	Starting Rs. 997
3.	Bata	Starting Rs. 899
4.	Red Tape	Starting Rs. 999
5.	Centrino	Starting Rs. 326
6.	Clarks	Starting Rs. 1,445
7.	Lee Cooper	Starting Rs. 1,200
8.	Allen Cooper	Starting Rs. 995
9.	Franco Leone	Starting Rs. 460
10.	Mochi	Starting Rs. 1,245

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Top 10 Best Formal Shoe Brands in India 2024

1. Hush Puppies

Headquartered in Rockford, Michigan, Hush Puppies is a contemporary American brand that retails casual and formal footwear for men, women and children. Delivering a precise blend of timeless style, dependable comfort and quality, Hush Puppies Formal Shoes is the go-to footwear brand for millions around the globe. Hush Puppies makes some the best shoes, be it formal or casual. Their style aspects coupled with their durability makes the brand highly admired and quite desirable.

2. Red Chief

Red Chief was launched in 1997 to meet the growing demand for high quality branded leather footwear. To keep pace with the changing styles, trends, beliefs, and aspirations of customers, Red Chief formal shoes as a brand is constantly evolving while maintaining the sanctity of certain traditions like quality workmanship, superior raw material and unbeatable prices. If you want a good durable shoe that does not require a lot of maintenance, you can go for Red Chief.

3. Bata

Bata India, the largest retailer and leading manufacturer of footwear in India, is a part of the Bata Shoe Organization, which is a Canadian owned, Switzerland based MNC, manufacturing and retailing footwear and fashion accessories. Founded in 1894 by Tomáš Bata, Bata formal shoes are renowned for their high-quality and known for delivering optimal comfort and style at reasonable prices.

4. Red Tape

Red Tape is a formal footwear brand that renowned for its unparalleled comfort, international styles and finesse. Designed in the brand’s in-house design studios in the UK and Italy, Red Tape Formal Shoes unmatched quality. With a firm focus on craftsmanship, quality and customer experience, each piece is handcrafted with great attention to detail. Red Tape must be your first choice if you are a rugged user. Meaning, if you would wear your formal shoe everyday, and simply cannot care about maintaining them, Red Tape would be perfect for you.

5. Centrino

One of the better formal shoe brands in India, which also remains rather inexpensive yet durable, Centrino is a great pick for anyone who wants a basic formal shoe without having to pay the premium other brands demand. Centrino shoes have a lot of options for you to choose from, however, their durability leaves much to be desired. While they have really good shoes that can potentially last a long time, if you are rather casual with your shoes and do not take very good care of them, your Centrino formal shoes might not last a long time.

6. Clarks

Founded by brothers Cyrus and James Clark in 1825, Clarks is British-based, international shoe manufacturer and retailer. With more than 22,000, the brand’s footwear has sparked a revolution, defined a generation and captured the imagination. Manufactured using advanced construction technologies, techniques and modern materials, Clarks formal shoes deliver perfection tailor-made for the modern world.

7. Lee Cooper

Founded in London’s East End by Morris Cooper in 1908, Lee Cooper has evolved from the original British denim brand into a revolutionary lifestyle brand with a global following of loyal customers. The design of Lee Cooper formal shoes is driven by the brand’s East London origins, sanctioning global accessibility into authentic London style. Lee Cooper is one of the best brands for the younger generation.

8. Allen Cooper

Allen Cooper is one of the biggest shoe brands that had its start in India. An Indian multinational company with presence in over 35 different countries, Allen Cooper has an incredible legacy of manufacturing exceptional leather footwear, sport shoes, formal shoes, and everything in between. There are a lot of different products offered by them, while their formal shoes remain one of their best USPs.

9. Franco Leone

When it comes to trendy and stylish shoes that can pass brilliantly for formal ones, Franco Leone is known for manufacturing some of the best shoes out there. Their potential at designing really funky designs while maintaining their formal stature is really wonderful. You can easily get a formal shoe from Franco Leone and use it for years without having to replace it. You might have to put in time and maintenance into them to make them last, but that proves effective in making them last.

10. Mochi

If you know what their name sounds like, you know Mochi would be your one-stop-shop for all your footwear needs. Mochi has some of the best formal shoes in the market, and they are also one of the best footwear brand in India. You might not have heard a lot about them, but once you use their products, you would be a convert. There are so many offering from Mochi with some of the best shoes we have ever seen. A mix of comfort, quality and durability, Mochi is easily one of the best formal shoe brands in India.

Everything about Formal Shoes – Buying Guide

What’s important when buying a formal shoe often differs from person to person, but understanding the basics helps make your buying decision easier. The following factors should be considered:

What if you don’t know what to look in a formal shoe? And here’s where everyone got stuck and confused while shopping for the shoes. So here’s the complete buying guide that helps you to choose the best brand for yourself.

Important Features to Note

• Shoe Fit: The most important factor to consider when buying shoes is getting the right size. It is important to understand that formal shoes don’t break in the way sneakers do, so you need to get the shape and size right first time. That’s why it’s necessary to get your feet measured and get to know what you feel comfortable in.
• Shoe Material: While you’ll find shoes made from different materials like suede & exotic skins, leather is the go-to material when it comes to formal shoes for men. There are several types of leather, including full-grain, top-grain, patent, and pebble grain, with full-grain leather being the best and most expensive.
• Shoe Style: Another factor that can influence your buying decision is the style of the shoe. Formal shoes for men come in several different styles – oxford, brogues, loafers, derby, monk shoes, chukka boots and Chelsea boots. We’ll go into men’s formal shoe styles and types in greater detail later in the article.
• Shoe Heel: Formal shoes for men come with varying heel heights and it’s often a challenge to find a precise balance between too high, too low and just right. So, when you’re unsure about the heel height, go for a 1-inch heel.
• Shoe Sole: The soles of most formal shoes for men are made of rubber, crepe, or leather. While rubber soles have durability and grip, they aren’t necessarily aesthetic. Crepe soles, on the other hand, are not durable. Leather soles are considered best for formal shoes. However, they don’t provide a great deal of traction.   
• Shape Of The Toe: As a thumb rule, the toes of formal shoes for men should be rounded – especially if you plan to wear them to the office or formal occasions.
• Shoe Weight: A pair of men’s formal shoe of size 10 weighs around 860 grams.

Types Of Formal Shoes for Men

Oxfords

Oxfords are one of the most classic, timeless and versatile shoes a man can have. They can effortlessly take you from office to every other conceivable formal occasion. These shoes were invented in England and named after the city of Oxford where they first appeared around the 1480s. Three things define an Oxford. First, it’s defined by its quarters which are closed. Then there is the vamp which is usually on the lower side and the ankle is exposed. Also, Oxford shoes usually have a cap-toe and a centre seam. They are the best shoe to wear with business suits, tuxedos or informal suits and sport coat combinations.

Brogues

The brogue shoe has its origins in Ireland, Scotland and it was meant to be an outdoor shoe worn by Irish and Scottish farmers. Nowadays though, brogues are go-anywhere and go-with-anything shoes. When you buy a brogue shoe, these are the hallmarks that you should look for. One, it should have heels. Two, it should have a toecap and a heel cap. Third and most importantly, what you always need is the hole perforations, the broguing.

Derby

The Derby is defined with its open lacing system which means that it’s open at the bottom and distinguished by eyelets which are sewn on top of the vamp. It’s a much better shoe for people with bigger feet because it fits more comfortably around the feet and is much more comfortable to walk around in. Derbys are slightly less formal than Oxfords and hence, they are better for sport coat combinations, chinos and jeans especially in Brown. When purchasing Derbies, make sure the uppers are dark, but not black and they don’t have any detail, like broguing or contrast colours. They should also be made from leather, rather than suede, and have a sole that’s chunkier than an Oxford, but less so than a boot.

Loafers

Also referred to as Moccasins, they are slip-on shoes well-known for their comfort. It gained popularity as a formal shoe in the 1960s when paired with suits and other formal wardrobe options. The shoe’s construction tends to be simple and roomy and it’s constructed completely without laces. Loafers are often written off as outrageously dandy and too difficult to pull off with a wide range of ensembles. In reality, these slip-on styles are anything but. Being laceless, they’re practical and have plenty of styles like penny loafers, tassel loafers, and horse-bit loafer on offer.  

Monk Strap

Also known as Monkstrap shoe, the monk shoe is considered less formal than an oxford but more formal than the derby. It is characterized by a buckle closing mechanism rather than laces. A typical monk strap shoe is designed like an oxford, but with a strap closure across the instep rather than a lace-up front closure. A glossy pair of monk strap shoes are the hallmark of the fashion-forward yet traditionally inclined modern gentleman.

How to Choose the right shoe size?

Your shoes are the foundation of your outfit. Having a great pair of formal shoes powerfully increases your style. However, it’s important to ensure comfort and function are not overlooked when shopping for shoes. Poor-fitting formal shoes are painful and can cause problems like blisters and bad pain.

A great place to start is with a Brannock Device designed in 1927. This device tells you what shoe size you need by measuring the length of your foot from heel to toe, the length of your arch, and the width of your foot.

• Place the heel of your foot against the back of the device and look straight down over your longest toe to see the measurement. This number marks the total length of your foot.
• Next, slide the pointer to the ball joint of your foot. This number will give you your arch measurement.
• So now, you have the numbers from the two measurements you just took. Whichever number is bigger will be your shoe size.
• Next measure your foot width. Slide the width bar to the side of your foot and make note of the corresponding letter. A, B, and C are narrow widths. D is considered average. E, EE and EEE are considered wide.

Now that you have your foot measurements, you have a great place to start, however, understand that sizing and widths vary across the brands.

The reason is that each brand has its own shoe last. A shoe last is a wooden mould which the shoe is formed around. Because each brand has its unique shoe last, you’re going to find that there is variation across the brands. So, the most important way to know if a shoe truly fits is to try it on.

Here’s what you need to look for when you’re trying on your shoes:

• First off, when putting on a formal shoe always use the shoehorn. Failure to do so over time can damage the back heel of the shoe.
• The ball of your foot should sit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe. This is called the shoebox. It should grip closely around your foot, but not too tight. You want it to be just right.
• When it comes to the length, understand that your habit of pushing to see where your toe is doesn’t really matter. The shoe should have plenty of room for your toes. You don’t want them to be crushed up. The bottom line is, just make sure that your toes aren’t touching the end of the shoe and you’ll be fine.
• Finally, check the heel of the shoe. Your heel should not be slipping around. If the back of the shoe is riding up and down when you walk, you’ll need either a smaller size or a different brand.
• It’s also very important to walk around in the shoes. Merely sitting or standing in them isn’t enough to get a proper feel for the fit.
• Lastly, make sure there isn’t any pain or chafing when you walk. That usually indicates that the shoe is too small in length or width. Also, your feet should not be sliding around inside because this means the size is too large.

How to Decide the Right Color Combinations

As with everything else in your wardrobe, nailing colour is the simplest and, at the same time, the hardest thing about getting dressed in the morning.

It’s easy to stick to tonal combinations like black shoes with black trousers, brown shoes with tan chinos – and never put a foot wrong, but it will lead to sartorial monotony.

Here are a few options you can consider:

Black Formal Shoes

Black shoes are the smartest version in any type. While black shoes for men are generally the go-to option with black clothing, they also team well with grey or charcoal coloured ensembles.  

Brown Formal Shoes

In the 19th century, Beau Brummel set the tone for men’s fashion. He was a big proponent of black eveningwear and so people also wore black shoes. At that time, rules like “No brown in town” or “No brown after six” just ensured that people dressed in a socially acceptable way.

By the 1930s, Edward, the Prince of Wales, became the Arbiter Elegant arum and he basically dictated what people wore. If he would wear something, the general public would pick it up shortly thereafter and he was a big fan of brown slip-on shoes. Oftentimes, he would wear brown and white Spectator shoes and so brown became more acceptable in the general public.

Today, dress codes are much more relaxed than they were fifteen or sixteen years ago. If you wear a well-fitting suit today or a combination, you are much better dressed than the average person.

So “No brown in town” or “No brown after six” are simply not valid anymore. What matters is that you look good. It’s much better to wear a well-fitting suit in Brown shoes than to wear an ill-fitting suit with black shoes in town after 6 pm.

One of the really nice things about brown leather is that it develops a patina, unlike black shoes. That means over time, you get this nice look of the leather and it’s really pleasant and it’s not something you can achieve with dark shoes. Also, you can really see leather textures on brown shoes much better such as scotch grain, or pebble grain or suede. With black, they just disappear.

So, when should you wear brown shoes? Well, Brown shoes could be worn with almost anything ranging from jeans of cavalry twill to corduroy, flannel and worsteds or tweeds. Unlike black, brown comes in a variety of shades so you can really create a unique colour palette in your shoe closet.

What Colour Shoes To Wear With Your Suit?

Dark Shoes With Navy-blue Suit

A great match for the navy-blue suit and its formal nature are darker shoes; black, dark brown, oxblood. These are all great colours to match with your navy-blue suit.

An okay match with the navy-blue suit is going to be light brown or tan. Because of the formal nature of the navy-blue suit, this isn’t always recommended although, for those of you that are a little bit fashion-forward, you can pull this off.

Black Shoes With Charcoal Grey Suit

The charcoal grey suit is one of the most formal suit colors out there, therefore darker shoes that have a black tone to them are recommended. So, black shoes along with oxblood, those are going to be the best matches. A poor match for the charcoal grey suit is going to be dark brown and lighter brown or tan.

Dark Brown Shows With Medium and Light Grey Suit

Shoes that look great with a light grey or medium grey suit are going to be black, dark brown, and oxblood. An okay match is going to be a lighter tan.

Light Brown Shoes With Brown Suit

Great matches for the brown suit are going to be oxblood, dark brown, and light brown. Anytime you have a brown suit, you want to wear a pair of shoes that reflects the tone in it. A poor match for a brown suit is going to be a pair of black shoes.

Black Shoes With Black Suit

The perfect match for a black suit is going to be a black pair of shoes. It just works with the formality of the suit and is the only shoe colour that you should wear with the suit. Trying to wear a black suit with dark brown, oxblood, or lighter tan is something that’s some fashion-forward men try to pull off.  

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How to Clean Formal Shoes?

If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can make your old shoes look better than when you actually bought them.

To prepare your dress shoe for polishing, remove the shoelaces and slip in a shoe tree or a wadded paper to give the shoe form during the polish.

Step 1 – Clean the shoe

Remove any dirt, salt, and grime. It’s very important as sand left in the shoe can ruin your final polished look. Next, lightly apply saddle soap to a clean rag and rub gently over the soap to create a little bit of a lather. Apply the soap to the surface of the shoe to clean it and to remove any old polish. Let your shoe air dry for about ten minutes or wipe dry to speed up the process.

Step 2 – Condition your leather dress shoe

It is recommended that you condition your shoes weekly if you wear them at least three times a week and monthly if you’re wearing them only occasionally. Use a clean rag to work the conditioner evenly over the entire shoe. Let the conditioner soak in and dry for twenty minutes. Wipe off any excess.

Step 3 – Apply a cream polish to the entire shoe.

Take the applicator brush and evenly coat the surface of the entire shoe. Remember, a little goes a long way and you could always apply a second coat. After you finished applying the polish cream, give it a quick buffing with the horsehair brush. Repeat as necessary and at the end of the procedure give it about fifteen minutes to dry.

Step 4 – Apply wax polish over the entire shoe.

Wrap a soft rag tightly around two fingers and apply a small amount of polish to the cloth. Coat the surface of the shoe working in small circular motions. Buff it with the soft horsehair brush and repeat the step once or twice to get a slightly higher shine.

To get that coveted mirrored finish, first apply a very small amount of polish on your rag, dip your fingers in the water and put a drop of water on the toe of the shoe. Rub the polish in using quick strokes until the surface is clear. Repeat this step many times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Formal Shoes – FAQs

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Conclusion

Many elements go into making a good shoe and the quality of those elements affects a shoe’s comfortability. Design and versatility are always important when considering formal shoes for men.

After reviewing 50+ shoes from the top 20 brands, Our experts chose Hush Puppies Formal Shoes as the best shoes for men. Value also is important; there’s nothing wrong with spending a lot of money for a shoe if it looks great, is durable, and feels good on your feet.

What type of formal shoe do you wear? Why do you like them? Have you worn any of the shoes on our list? Let us know in the comments.