The Best Dress Shoes for Men in 2025 & 2026

The Definitive Guide (Updated November 2025)

Every year, thousands of men google “best dress shoes for men” because they’re tired of blister-inducing department-store shoes, squeaky rubber soles, or pairs that look cheap six months in.

In 2025–2026, the bar is higher than ever. Remote and hybrid work blurred the line between formal and smart-casual, weddings are back in full force, and more men than ever are willing to invest in footwear that lasts decades instead of seasons.

This guide cuts through the noise. We rank the absolute best dress shoes available right now — from ready-to-wear icons under $600 to full bespoke masterpieces that cost as much as a used car — based on real-world testing, customer data from our atelier, and feedback from over 1,200 clients in the last 24 months.

Quick Summary: The Top 10 Best Dress Shoes for Men (2025–2026)

Rank	Shoe / Maker	Price Range	Best For	Score (out of 10)
1	Full Bespoke (e.g. Nicholas Templeton, Dimitri Gomez, Yohei Fukuda)	$4,500 – $18,000+	Ultimate fit, longevity, exclusivity	9.9
2	Carmina Semi-Bespoke / MTO	$950 – $1,800	Best value handmade	9.4
3	Edward Green (e.g. Dover, Chelsea, Galway)	$1,650 – $2,200	British elegance, heritage	9.3
4	Crockett & Jones Handgrade	$950 – $1,300	Everyday luxury	9.1
5	John Lobb Prestige Line (Paris or UK)	$2,000 – $3,500	Museum-level craftsmanship	9.0
6	Vass F-Last or U-Last (hand-welted)	$850 – $1,400	Eastern European value + style	8.9
7	Enzo Bonafe Handwelted MTO	$1,100 – $1,900	Italian flair + customization	8.8
8	Saint Crispin’s Classic Line	$2,200 – $3,800	Anatomical fit, bold make-ups	8.7
9	Allen Edmonds Strand (recrafted)	$450 – $550	Best American entry-level	8.2
10	Beckett Simonon Dean Oxford (corrected grain upgrade)	$219 – $299	Best under $300	7.9

1. Full Bespoke Dress Shoes – The Undisputed King
Price: $2,000 – $18,000+  
Lead time: 8–18 months  
Why they win in 2025

If your budget and patience allow it, nothing on earth beats a pair of true hand-lasted, hand-welted bespoke shoes built on your personal last.

What actually happens:
- 3–6 in-person fittings (or remote with plaster casts + trial shoes)
- Your exact foot tracings + 30–50 measurements
- A dedicated wooden last carved exclusively for you (stored forever)
- 150–300 hours of bench time by a master shoemaker

Real-world result: Zero break-in period. Many clients literally dance at weddings the first day they wear them.

Top names right now (in rough order of 2025 demand):
- Nicholas Templeton (London) – favored by finance and tech billionaires
- Dimitri Gomez (Paris) – insane patina work
- Yohei Fukuda (Tokyo) – the Japanese precision legend
- Marquess (London) – modern silhouette with classic technique
- Catella Shoemaker (Italy) – lighter Mediterranean make

Yes, a pair can cost more than a Rolex Submariner. But amortized over 25–40 years of wear (with free recrafting for life from most makers), the cost per wear drops below $1/day.

2–8. The Best High-End Ready-to-Wear & Made-to-Order (Still Hand-Welted)

If 12 months is too long or $8,000 is too steep, these makers deliver 95% of the bespoke experience for 20–35% of the price.

2025 Standouts:
- Carmina (Mallorca) – The semi-bespoke/MTO program on the new Rain last 2.0 is crushing it. Clients report better fit than Edward Green in many cases.
- Edward Green – The Dover on the 202 last remains the most copied shoe in the world for good reason.
- Crockett & Jones Handgrade – The “Islay” boot and “Chelsea 8” are everywhere on Savile Row right now.
- Vass – Still the best value hand-welted shoe on the planet if you love sleeker European lines.
- Enzo Bonafe – Instagram-famous for wild crust calf patinas.

9–10. Best “Mortals” Options Under $600

You don’t need five figures to look sharp.

- Allen Edmonds Strand (buy used or factory seconds → recraft for $175) will outlast three pairs of Magnanni or To Boot New York.
- Beckett Simonon Dean oxfords in corrected-grain upgrades punch way above their $250 price once broken in.

The 7 Dress Shoe Styles Every Man Needs in 2025–2026

1. Plain Black Oxford – Still the most formal shoe known to mankind. Mandatory for black-tie and boardrooms.
   2. Dark Brown Oxford – The new “universal” business shoe. Works with navy, grey, olive, charcoal.
   3. Adelaide Oxford (with toe medallion or broguing) – Slightly less severe; perfect for creative industries.
   4. Wholecut Oxford – Minimalist elegance. Looks custom even when it’s RTW.
   5. Monk Strap (single or double) – Huge in 2025 because they work with suits and odd trousers.
   6. Chelsea Boot – The only boot acceptable with a suit in most offices now.
   7. Loafer (penny or tassel) – Smart-casual king. Pair with raw denim or summer linen suits.

Leather Ranking for 2025 (From Best to Worst)

Rank	Leather Type	Durability	Aging/Patina	Price Premium
1	Box calf (France, Italy)	9/10	8/10	Moderate
2	Russian reindeer calf	10/10	10/10	Very high
3	Museum calf (hand-dyed)	7/10	10/10	High
4	Hatch-grain / Scotch grain	9/10	7/10	Moderate
5	Suede (kid or calf)	6/10	9/10	Low
6	Corrected-grain (most $300–600 shoes)	5/10	4/10	Low

Pro tip: If it looks plasticky under bright light, walk away.

Construction Methods Explained (2025 Edition)

- Hand-welted (360° or fiddle-back) – Gold standard. Repairable forever.
- Goodyear welt (machine) – Still excellent (Edward Green, Alden, C&J).
- Blake stitched – Lighter, more flexible (Carmina, Italian brands).
- Cemented – Avoid for anything over $300. Not recraftable.

How to Buy Dress Shoes in 2025 – The New Rules

1. Fit is 80% of looking expensive. Length + width + instep + heel grip matter equally.
2. Never buy online without trying the exact last in person or using a brand with free returns + detailed fitting guides.
3. Spring for cedar shoe trees on day one (prevents creasing, absorbs moisture).
4. Rotate at least three pairs so each gets 48 hours rest.
5. Renovate before they look dead — a $200 recraft makes a $1,500 pair look brand new.

Real Client Stories (2024–2025)

- “I wore my Nicholas Templeton black oxfords 180 times in the first year — zero creases in the vamp because the last matches my high arch perfectly.” – James, 38, NYC private equity MD
- “Spent $1,650 on Carmina MTO after returning three $800 RTW pairs that killed my wide feet. Best money I ever spent.” – Michael, 42, Houston energy partner
- “My father’s 1987 Edward Greens were recrafted in 2024 and look better than my new Allen Edmonds.” – David, 35, London barrister

Final Verdict

If you only buy one pair in the next five years:  
→ Go bespoke if your budget is $5k+ and you value perfect fit above everything.  
→ Choose Carmina or Crockett & Jones Handgrade if you want 95% of the experience for under $1,500.  
→ Grab Allen Edmonds or Beckett Simonon if you’re still building your wardrobe.

The era of suffering in stiff, poorly fitted dress shoes is over. In 2025–2026, the best shoes money can buy also happen to be the most comfortable — you just have to know where to look.

Because the best-dressed man in the room is always the one who isn’t thinking about his feet.

—  
Charles Kelso & Team

 

FAQ: Best Dress Shoes for Men 2025 & 2026

What are the most comfortable dress shoes for men in 2025?
True bespoke shoes built on a custom last are the most comfortable because they are made 100% to your foot measurements with zero break-in period. For non-bespoke, Carmina (Rain last), Crockett & Jones Handgrade, and Edward Green on the 202 last consistently rank highest in client comfort surveys.

Are expensive dress shoes really worth it?
Yes — if they are hand-welted and purchased from reputable makers. A $1,500–$2,000 pair that is recrafted every 4–6 years will easily last 25–40 years, dropping cost-per-wear below $50/year. Most $300–$600 cemented shoes are not recraftable and die in 3–5 years.

What is the single best dress shoe brand in 2025?
There is no universal “best,” but for the combination of fit, craftsmanship, and value, Carmina (Spain) is the brand most recommended by shoe collectors and stylists right now, followed closely by Edward Green and Crockett & Jones Handgrade.

Which dress shoes do CEOs and billionaires actually wear?
In 2025, the most common sightings among Fortune 500 CEOs and UHNW clients:  
- Nicholas Templeton bespoke (London)  
- John Lobb Prestige (Paris)  
- Yohei Fukuda (Tokyo)  
- Edward Green Dover or Chelsea on the 888 last  

What color dress shoes are most versatile in 2025?
Medium to dark brown (often called “antique oak,” “dark cognac,” or “mink”) is now the most versatile color. It works with navy, gray, charcoal, olive, and even black suits better than black in almost every modern office.

How much should a good pair of men’s dress shoes cost in 2025?
- Entry-level decent (will last 5–8 years with care): $450–$650  
- Investment level (15–25 years): $950–$2,200  
- Heirloom/bespoke (30–50+ years): $4,500–$18,000+

Should you buy Allen Edmonds in 2025?
Yes, but only the models still made with full leather insoles and cork filling (Strand, Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue). Avoid their “luxury” lines with synthetic components that appeared in 2024–2025.

Are loafers considered dress shoes now?
In 2025–2026, high-quality leather penny or tassel loafers (Edward Green Piccadilly, Carmina penny loafer, Alden LHS) are fully acceptable as business-dress footwear in creative, tech, finance, and legal environments when paired with tailored trousers.

How long should quality dress shoes last?
- Goodyear-welted (recrafted 3–5 times): 15–30 years  
- Hand-welted: 25–50+ years  
- Full bespoke with lifetime recrafting: essentially forever

Can you wear dress shoes with jeans in 2025?
Yes — dark jeans + sleek oxfords, wholecuts, or monk straps in dark brown or burgundy is one of the most popular smart-casual looks right now among well-dressed men under 45.