Not All Shoes Look Good With Trouser Suits—Here's What I Recommend

Shoes make an outfit, and no more so is that old fashion adage true than when it comes to what you combine with a trouser suit. Once upon a time, not so long ago, trouser suits weren't really in fashion—sure, they had some standout moments in the '40s, '70s, and '80s, but over the past few decades suits have been considered business attire and best kept for the office. The last couple of years has seen a transformation in the world of tailoring and two- and three-piece suits have entered the chat once more. Due to the fact tailoring had been such an integral part of the corporation fashion lexicon, we became a little averse to wearing suiting with casual shoes (because of commuters switching out bad sneaks for pumps) or formal footwear (see: aforementioned pumps). But as suiting silhouettes, colours and finishes have started to diversify, and as our approach to wearing suiting has eased up, the options around footwear have also multiplied. 

Unfortunately, that's not to say that all trouser suit-and-shoe pairings are equal. The below list is not exhaustive, and I would always urge you to do you (no matter what an article, editor or friend says!) but these are some reliable combinations that I've seen stand up over the years. Trends come and go, but honestly, a well-cut trouser suit should be forever—it's just how you wear it that might change in time.

So right now in the "what shoes to wear with a trouser suit?" conversation in our office, we've landed on the following. From wide-leg linen styles with chunky flat sandals (yep, you probably own both already) through to the return of the cigarette leg and the slingback heels that make them their sassiest.