Congratulations.
Yes, you. The guy who Googled some version of “best boots to wear with a suit” and landed here. This was no accident, friend. It was meant to be. Not only because I’ve got some damn good recommendations for you. But because, at long last, you’re ready to start sniffing out how to combine boots with suits.
It’s a noble pursuit that will reward you handsomely if executed properly. The good news: pairing a suit with boots isn’t much different than pairing a suit with any other type of dress shoe. Think of it as a business down low, party up top situation. All you’re doing is substituting a touch of interest and personality where you’d otherwise find… socks.
And with that, I bring you the best first nine suit-boots of the rest of your life. Which would technically be 19. Or something. I don’t know how to stop…
Key Takeaways
To find the best boots to wear with a suit, I began by researching dozens of pairs and their materials, construction, customer reviews, and photos. With the exception of the occasional devil-may-care cowboy boot and handsomely versatile work boot, most of my picks are conservative below the cuff and feature a touch of interest from the ankle up. My top overall pick is Billy Reid’s Paglia Moto Boot for hopefully obvious reasons. And on the wallet-friendly side, Deer Stags takes it with its Rockland Boot.
Why they’re great: Fact: Billy Reid doesn’t miss. Opinion: The Paglia Moto Boot deserves a place in the non-existent Casual-Formal Hall of Fame. They’re handmade in Italy, and you’re working with a calfskin upper that only gets better (and more comfortable) with age. The antique-brass side zipper and burnished toe caps are just showing off.
Who are they for? It’s hard to put a label on the Paglia-Moto-Boot guy. Confident? Sure. Worn enough suits on enough occasions to know the difference between “formal” and “I’ve got this?” Oh, you bet your ass.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The moto-style boot isn’t for everyone. It’s specific. It’s not traditional. And if that rubs you the wrong way… Billy Reid probably won’t lose any sleep over it.
Style: Moto Boot | Material: 100% Calfskin Leather | Sizes: 8–13 | Colors: 1
Why they’re great: Classic. Handsome. Tough as nails. I could keep throwing complimentary adjectives at Myrqvist’s Tjärnö all day. Suffice it to say, the Goodyear-welted construction, full-grain calfskin leather, and timeless style of these handmade-in-Portugal dress boots will keep you looking and feeling your best for years to come.
Who are they for? You’ve been through multiple pairs of boots at this point. You’re tired of compromising. You’re ready to graduate to one of the best pairs of boots you’ll ever own.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A minor consideration, especially for a conservative jumper boot, the Tjärnö is available in only two colors—black and dark brown.
Style: Jumper Boot | Material: 100% Calfskin Leather | Sizes: 8.5–12.5 | Colors: 2
Why they’re great: Another chunkier option that can easily pull double-duty with a suit or pair of jeans, Velasca’s Buttafoera Boots are made of 100% calfskin leather and come in three neutral colors. Full-grain leather. Blake stitch construction. Sturdy Vibram lug sole. All present and accounted for.
Who are they for? Like the Thursday Boot Company’s Captain, this is another boot that works overtime across multiple situations and environments. From the office to wedding season, one boot to rule them all.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Drawing yet another comparison to the Thursday Captain, the Buttafoeura’s sole is on the chunkier side for a dress boot.
Style: Laced Boot | Material: 100% Calfskin Leather | Sizes: 5–14 | Colors: 3
Why they’re great: Which brings us to this casually elevated number from Dutch brand Aurélien. Its Suede Desert Boot comes in 10 eye-catching colors, but I’m partial to the wedding-friendly Steel Blue option. Made in Italy of supple French calfskin, these easy-breezy boots can be dressed up or dressed down.
Who are they for? Aurélien’s Desert Boot is best for guys who already have an arsenal of dress boots at their disposal and can call upon various styles depending on the occasion.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This isn’t the dress boot you’ll wear to formal occasions, making it more of a niche option.
Style: Desert Boot | Material: 100% French Calfskin Leather | Sizes: 7–12 | Colors: 10
Why they’re great: If you’re looking for a budget boot that somehow manages not to lose any points in the style department, the Rockland Boot from American brand Deer Stags will serve you well. Its classic Chelsea boot design and choice of four neutral colors will fit right in at the office, happy hour, or casual dinner date.
Who are they for? The style-conscious guy who understands that “budget” and “cheap” are worlds apart. The Rockland Boot is wallet-friendly, but it’s also a quality product that should last more than a few seasons if properly cared for.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The Rockland is the only boot on this list made of synthetic leather, which is a small sacrifice that you’ll almost always pay with a budget boot.
Style: Chelsea Boot | Material: Synthetic Leather | Sizes: 8–16W | Colors: 4
Why they’re great: Founded in 2014, Thursday Boot Company has already made a name for itself for its comfortable, durable, quality, made-in-America boots. And the ruggedly handsome Captain is certainly no exception. These all-leather beauties will fit right in under a chino cuff or pair of dress trousers but are just as rakish with a pair of jeans.
Who are they for? In a word, anyone. These are fairly priced boots that are as versatile as they are well-made. A small upfront investment in a pair of Thursday boots will last for years.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although the Captain is a perfectly acceptable pair of boots to wear with a suit, the soles are chunkier than some of the other options on my list.
Style: Cap-Toe Boot | Material: 100% Leather | Sizes: 6–14W | Colors: 16
Why they’re great: Heritage brand Lucchese has been handcrafting some of the finest boots in the world since 1883. A true classic, the Crayton is understated and sophisticated to pull off with a traditional suit—no small feat for a pair of cowboy boots. Meanwhile, intricate stitching above the cuff adds a touch of flair to these damn-near-indestructible cowboy boots.
Who are they for? If you can pull off wearing cowboy boots with a suit, then you can conquer the world. Or, you know, come close. Probably. Either way, this is the boot for the job. Any job.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Needless to say, cowboy boots aren’t for everyone. Especially for guys looking for dress boots to wear with a suit. But if you can get past the steep barrier to entry, it’s a helluva look.
Style: Cowboy Boot | Material: 100% Mad Dog Goat Leather | Sizes: 9-13 | Colors: 2
Why they’re great: The “luxury” in Hockerty’s boots comes from the fact that they’re completely customizable, from the style and materials to the sizes and options. It’s as simple as hopping on Hockerty’s website and clicking through the dozens of customization options to piece together your ideal boot. A few weeks later, they’ll arrive at your door.
Who are they for? Hockerty’s custom boots are a great option if you want to skip shopping and compare parts and move fast to get exactly what you want.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you’re in a rush, know that Hockerty needs at least two weeks to make your boots. That said, this is still a super-fast turnaround for a custom product.
Style: Dress, Chukka, Chelsea | Material: Custom | Sizes: Custom | Colors: Custom
Why they’re great: Koio’s Trento boot is another all-around solid option with traditional styling and impeccable details. These leather Chelsea boots were handmade in Tuscany and feature Blake stitch construction and stacked-leather soles.
Who are they for? The low profile and elegant silhouette of the Trento plants it firmly in semiformal and formal suit territory. Weddings. Smart-casual cocktail parties. Client presentations. Yes, yes, and yes.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although you could certainly pull these Chelsea boots off with a pair of jeans, the stacked-leather soles lean more into business casual and formal situations. If you’re looking for a more versatile pair of boots with chunkier soles, then Thursdays Captain or Velasca’s Buttafoeura boots would be better fits.
Style: Chelsea Boot | Material: 100% Leather | Sizes: 7–13 | Colors: 5
What Makes The Best Boots To Wear With A Suit?
Size & Fit
If possible, try on several boots to make sure they conform to the contours of your feet and have the weight and feel you require. Prioritize lightweight, comfortable footwear that offers cushioning in all the right places. Genuine leather boots typically check all of these boxes by default, but there’s no substitute for some old-school trial and error.
Style
Like their more conservative brethren, dress boots come in dozens of styles, from duck boots and wingtips to desert boots and rainy-night-proof stunners. Think about where and when you’ll be wearing these things the most and find a versatile style that’ll get you some decent mileage.
Weight
Look, boots can be heavy. Dirt-stomping, manure-kicking, ranch-handing heavy. The boots you’re looking for… are not those boots. The best boots to wear with a suit keep things professional (and lightweight) below the cuff but offer some sexy indifference above it.
How We Chose
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, then I’m into it. For this review, I pored over trusted sources, customer reviews, materials, construction specifications, and my own experience to understand what makes the best boots to wear with a suit. After researching and comparing dozens of pairs, the resulting nine are what I’m calling the best of the best. Some of my key considerations include:
Comfort: If you’re on your feet all day, then opt for a thicker sole instead of a thin, dressy one. If you’re on the heavier side, then prioritize support, stability, more support, and more stability. For the purposes of this list, I made every effort to include only the most versatile boots with functionality extending beyond just business-casual situations.
Customer Reviews: I pored over multiple product reviews in search of both positive and negative throughlines to help inform my picks for the best boots to wear with a suit.
Materials: With the exception of my budget pick (which is made of synthetic leather), every boot on this list is made of 100% leather. Many of the companies that I’ve featured use traditional, old-world techniques to make leather dress boots that, if properly cared for, should last for generations.
Why Trust Us?
Kelly, a trusted writer at FashionBeans, has extensive experience covering men’s fashion, including essential grooming tips and style guides. In addition to hours of independent research, he relied heavily on his own experience to find the best boots to wear with a suit.
He’s also written prolifically on the topic of footwear, covering the most comfortable men’s walking shoes, the best dad shoes, cowboy boot brands, dress boots, Doc Marten alternatives, and comfortable dress shoes, to name a few. To substantiate that experience, Kelly researched dozens of dress boots, examining materials, construction, customer reviews, and his own closet to pick the best of the best.
Final Verdict
When it comes to how to wear boots with a suit, handsome styles are seemingly endless. My top overall pick, based on its versatility, durability, and general style, is Billy Reid’s Paglia Moto Boot. Coming in at a close second is the budget-friendly Deer Stags Rockland Boot.
FAQ
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With enough confidence and sartorial wherewithal, you can wear almost any type of boot with a suit. Zooming in a bit, lean into styles that are conservative below the cuff but add a touch of interest when the pant legs come up.
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Yes. Not only are Chelsea boots ok to wear with a suit, but they’re among the most popular styles for dressing up or dressing down.
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