Quiet luxury could be described as a subtle and elegant way of dressing, with a focus on high-quality items that aren’t overly flashy. The same logic applies to shoes. You want to look for high-quality, ideally handmade shoes that look elegant but also unassuming.
In my opinion, there are 5 shoes that are essential for this look. You don’t have to get all of them, of course, but if you have at least 2, you can build quite a few outfits with them.
Penny Loafers
I personally love penny loafers. It’s probably the type of shoe I wear the most, and for the quiet luxury look, a pair of dark brown suede loafers would be the best choice.
I think they look more elegant and casual in suede, and dark brown would be the most versatile color that works with (almost) any type of trouser and jacket.
The reason why I recommend going for a classic penny loafer and not horse bit or tassel loafers is simply because this is an essentials list, and nothing beats the penny loafer in terms of versatility.
You can wear it to a summer wedding, for business casual, or in your everyday life, and you will always look fantastic.
A decent pair of penny loafers starts at around $200, and if they are on sale, you can find them for around $150. On the second-hand market, you can find them for even less.
Recommended brands:
Oxfords
In my opinion, every man should have at least 1 pair of dark brown dress shoes, ideally oxfords.
Derbys and oxfords are both great shoes, but if I had to only pick one, I would start with an oxford. In my opinion, oxfords just look more elegant, and I prefer their shape and how they flow over derbys. If they are in a very dark brown color, you can wear them to the office and to almost any formal occasion.
You could also get a pair in dark brown and one in black, but since the quiet luxury look is a bit more of an elevated casual look, black may not be the most essential option.
Similar to the penny loafers, expect to pay at least $200 for a good pair of oxfords, maybe $150 if they are on sale. On the second-hand market, you can find them for around $50.
Boots
I think it’s fair to say that every man looks better in a pair of boots. They are going to be your best friend during winter, spring, and fall and keep your feet dry and warm.
You can choose between chukka boots, Chelsea boots, or dress boots – You can’t go wrong with any of those.
I would recommend opting for dark brown (again) because in fall and winter, when it’s mushy and cold outside, light-colored shoes might not be the most practical choice, especially for an essentials list.
Boots tend to be a bit more expensive than oxfords, so you can expect to pay upwards of $250 for a good pair of boots. Second-hand, they will probably cost you roughly around $80.
Yacht Loafers
If you type in quiet luxury on Pinterest or Instagram, the shoes that you are going to see the most are probably yacht loafers, and for a good reason.
First made famous by Loro Piana, who are calling them summer walk loafers, they look very casual and elegant and are the ideal summer shoe for this look.
Up to this point, all shoes on the list would not be the best choice if you are wearing shorts in summer, but yacht loafers work well with regular trousers and with shorts.
You can also get a bit more creative with the colors with yacht loafers because we tend to be a bit more colorful in summer. So you will see them online in shades of brown, beige, gray, blue, green, or red.
The only thing about yacht loafers is that they usually come with a light-colored rubber sole, which means that eventually, even with regular cleaning, there will come a point where the sole is dirty beyond repair, and you have to buy a new pair of shoes.
Good-year welted loafers, oxfords, and boots can easily be resoled, and even if they have a rubber sole, it’s usually in a dark color so you won’t see the wear and tear that easily.
That’s my only concern with yacht loafers, and also the main reason why I haven’t bought one myself, yet.
They usually start at around $200, but the ones by Loro Piana can cost around $1,000.
Minimal Sneakers
I’ve added minimal sneakers at the end of this list because I know in the menswear scene, there are quite a few guys who believe grown men should not wear shorts under any circumstance.
While I agree that every guy looks better in a pair of regular trousers than in shorts, I also believe that there is a time and place for everything. And if you like wearing shorts in summer, I believe there are no better shoes than minimal sneakers.
You could also go for yacht loafers, but especially on long walks around the city, nothing beats a pair of comfortable sneakers.
Just make sure that they are made from leather or suede, they have no logos, and ideally a thin sole as well, as this will be the most elegant sneaker you can find.
Expect to pay at least $150 for a nice pair of minimal sneakers.
Optional Quiet Luxury Shoes
Espadrilles
Espadrilles are a great casual summer shoe for holidays at the beach. They are usually made from canvas or cotton on the top and with a sole made from rubber or rope. They are lightweight, breathable, and quite comfortable for short walks, but not for long walks on asphalt. Espadrilles are also quite affordable and have this nice, casual summer vibe.
Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are another option for summer, but I do believe that yacht loafers look more elegant and are more versatile because many boat shoes do look quite clunky.
Driving Shoes
Driving shoes can look very elegant in classic styles, but as the name suggests, they are made primarily for driving or for occasions where you won’t walk a lot, such as an evening at a beach resort. The sole is not made for long walks on asphalt, so if you are going on a city trip, I would not bring driving shoes. Therefore, I’ve only included them as optional shoes.
Conclusion
Which of these are your favorite shoes, and what brands do you recommend? Let me know in the comments below.
