How to Wear Brogues

Co-authored by Jordan Stolch

Last Updated: June 8, 2021 References

Brogues are a popular style of masculine shoes known for their decorative hole-punched leather. Brogues originally were working-class shoes for men in Scotland and Ireland, but today, modern interpretations of the classic style have made it a fun fashion accessory for all. Brogues are worn casually and professionally by both men and women. Choose between full, half, or quarter brogues in a variety of colors, and style them with a casual or dressier look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Brogues

1
Go with full brogue shoes for a detailed, fancy footwear option. Full brogues have a pointed toe cap and extending lines or “wingtips” that run along both sides of the shoe. They have perforations in the leather across the edges, and many styles also have decorative holes on the center of the toe cap (called the “medallion”).
- From above, the cap shape looks like a “W,” which is why they are also called wingtips.
- Full brogues are best styled with professional outfits.
- Brogues that do not have these medallion perforations are called “blind brogues.”
2
Choose a half brogue shoe if you want a detailed yet casual style. Half brogues also have a toe cap, though they do not have extensions or wingtips, which makes them more casual than full brogues. This style typically has a medallion as well as perforations along the toe cap and the sides of the shoe.
- Extensions are the lines that run along the sides of the shoe.
- If you want a brogue style without the medallion, look for “blind half brogues.”
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3
Decide on quarter brogues for a simple, minimal, and versatile shoe. This style of brogue has rounded toe caps rather than points, and they only have decorative holes along the edge of the toe cap. You can wear these both professionally and casually.
- Because they lack as much decorative detail, quarter brogues are a more simple shoe that can pair well with many different outfits.
4
Try U-tip brogues for a modern variation on the traditional style. U-tips are popular adaptations of a full brogue. They are characterized by their “U” shaped extension lines, as opposed to the “W” shape of the wingtips.
- For style variations of half and quarter brogues, look for different medallion detail work, choose different types of fabric, or select brogues in interesting colors.
5
Decide between leather or suede brogues. Traditionally, brogues are made from box calf leather, though modern variations feature suede and other leather variations. Go with a smooth, uniform texture when choosing either material.
- Unless you’re comfortable with a very bold style, avoid wearing exotic leather brogues like alligator, ostrich, or stingray. These leathers have unique prints that can be too much when paired with the detailing of brogues.
6
Select brogues with a feminine touch to avoid looking too masculine. While both men and women can pair brogues with their outfits, some modern varieties are tailored specifically to feminine styles. Feminine brogues include a loafer and platform platform variation, where the brogue looks more like a flat or has a 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) platform.^{[1]
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- You can also get brogues in metallic colors and soft pastels for a girlish touch on a masculine style.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling Brogues Casually

1
Wear brown brogues with denim for a casual yet smart look. Brown shoes look great with denim. Wear your jeans so they sit just above or slightly over your brogues. You can pair this with a T-shirt, button down, or sweater. Also consider throwing on a jacket or blazer.
- This is a versatile look—try pairing it with a white T-shirt and a bomber jacket, blazer, or cardigan.^{[2]
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  Expert Interview. 3 November 2020.}
- You could also wear your brogues with leather leggings or skinny pants—this would look great with a sweater that's tucked into the front and a statement jacket.^{[3]
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  Jordan Stolch
  Image Consultant & Style Advisor
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2
Pick colored brogues to add a pop of color to your outfit. Brogues are already statement shoes, so why not spice up your outfit with a little color? Oxblood, navy, and even dark green brogues are attractive color options. Slip on a colored pair, and your shoes will really stand out!^{[4]
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- You can also find brogues in purple, pink, yellow, and orange shades.
3
Wear elbow patches or flat hats if you want to style full brogues casually. To maintain a traditional British vibe with a casual twist, wear garments with elbow patches or throw on a hat. You can also wear a tweed blazer on top.^{[5]
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- Full brogues are the most formal brogue variety because of their detailing, and they are known as popular shoes for gentlemen.
4
Wear navy brogues with pastel colors for a summer look. If you want to complete a summer or springtime look with your brogues, wear them with a colored pair of tailored or chino shorts. You can style your look with either quarter or half brogues, depending on the details in your outfit.^{[6]
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- Be sure to wear low-rise socks!
- Wear quarter or half brogues if your shorts have patterns or textures. They are less detailed and work better with louder clothes.
5
Wear brown full brogues with neutral or plain shorts. If your outfit is on the quiet side, add some detail with a full brogue in a neutral color.
- Brown is a more appropriate color choice than black for casual outfits.
6
Style a casual dress with brogues for a vintage feel. You can wear colorful, metallic, or neutral brogues with casual dresses. Add a feminine touch by pairing a scarf, belt, or jewelry with your outfit.
- Choose knee-length or calf-length dresses. Long or maxi dresses can look bulky if paired with brogues.
- You can also wear solid-colored or patterned tights to add a bit of femininity to your look.
7
Choose a brogue boot for a casual, day-to-day shoe. These are a great option if you prefer high-top shoes or want something different than your standard wingtip.
- You can find full, half, and quarter brogues in boot styles.
8
Avoid wearing black brogues with casual outfits. Black brogues are often too harsh in tone to be paired casually. Save your black pair for formal events, and go with a brown or colorful pair instead.^{[7]
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- If you do have black brogues and want to wear the casually, wear them with black garments. You might try pairing them with jeans and a black top, or a casual black dress.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Pairing Brogues with Professional Clothing

1
Wear neutral brogues with a suit for a professional, traditional look. Pick a pair of brogues that match your suit. You can wear brown brogues with a beige or brown suit, or go with a pair of black brogues and a black suit. Or, try wearing black shoes with a gray suit for another option. Wear your brogues to work, meetings, or dinner parties.^{[8]
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- A pair of brogues can add some interest to a classic suit without over-complicating an outfit.
- Wear dark, neutral socks to cover your ankles when wearing pants.
2
Match your brogues to a colorful suit for a fun, modern combination. When wearing colorful suits, like red, blue, or purple, go with a pair of black brogues. Or, if you want to add color to a neutral suit, go for brogues in a navy, oxblood, or dark green tone. For extra interest, wear either a patterned shirt or interesting tie.^{[9]
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- Quarter brogues are the most professional option, though you can also wear half and full brogues for professional looks.
- You can cover your ankles with colorful socks for a quirky touch.
3
Pick brogues as your dress shoe when styling dresses and skirts. Brogues go great with women’s professional wear as well as menswear. Try wearing brogues instead of heels or flats with your dress or skirt. You can wear fewer accessories and let your shoes be the focal point of your outfit.
- Go for a neutral brogue, like brown or black, for neutral colored dresses.
- Select metallic or colorful brogues for colored or patterned dresses. This will give your outfit a pop of color or texture.
- Be sure to wear dark, low rise socks!
4
Wear spectator 2-tone brogues with a black pinstripe suit for a bold look. Full brogues with 2 contrasting colors are called “spectator shoes.” While spectator shoes can be tough to pull off, you can try pairing them with a pinstripe suit if you are someone with a bold style. Choose black and white spectator shoes, and go for suits with a thin white pinstripe on a mainly black suit.
- You can also wear a black belt and colored dress shirt or tie.^{[10]
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- Celebrities like Jack White and Justin Timberlake have rocked this look.
5
Avoid wearing brogues for Black Tie events. While brogues can look professional and put together, they are too informal to wear as Black Tie footwear. Black Tie footwear is simple, compared to the detailing of brogues.^{[11]
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- For more appropriate Black Tie shoes, you can wear polished Oxfords with minimal detailing.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can ladies wear brogues?

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

Jordan Stolch

Image Consultant & Style Advisor

Expert Answer

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For a feminine take, try wearing skinny pants, a blazer, and a white-button down shirt with your brogues.
Question

How can I style brogues to look casual?

Jordan Stolch
Image Consultant & Style Advisor
Jordan Stolch is an Image Strategist, Style Advisor, and the Founder of MiKADO - a concierge personal styling firm. With over a decade of experience, Jordan specializes in helping people eliminate the confusion and insecurities associated with how to dress in order to build a powerful image and use clothing to their strategic advantage. Jordan trains entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate executives in the foundations of "power dressing", from some of the country's preeminent companies such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte, Berkshire Hathaway, Universal Music Group, Starbucks, and Disney. She works with clients both in-person and virtually, teaching them how to take the confusion out of style so they can operate at a higher level. Jordan earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and studied Merchandise Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIDM).

Jordan Stolch

Image Consultant & Style Advisor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To dress down brogues, try wearing leather pants or leggings with an oversized sweater and a statement jacket layered on top. You could also do jeans with a nice sweater or white T-shirt with a bomber jacket, blazer, or cardigan—the look will be polished but still cool and effortless.