12 Best Dress Shoes [Tested and Reviewed]

The Darrow PL Men's dress shoes sold by Marc Joseph stand out because of their unique toe design.

These dress shoes are lined with leather, and earned high praise for their overall construction. Natural leather has better absorption and breathability than synthetic leather, and our testers rated these shoes highly for their water-resistance. One tester said, "I hardly felt any moisture throughout the entire foot." Additionally, because these shoes are made from natural materials and use less adhesive, the joints are durable, and this pair should last more than a year.

During our testing, we simulated light rain by placing our feet with the dress shoes in a water tank. We showered the shoes for 10 seconds, and the water didn’t permeate, demonstrating excellent water-resistance. Plus, the sole is cushy and the upper leather is soft, so these shoes are comfortable for walking and extended wear. We recommend this pair for parties and casual office settings alike.

The Flex Plain Toe Oxford sold by Florsheim has a classic look that is appropriate for a range of settings.

 
During our waterproof testing by spraying the shoes with water for 10 seconds, our socks stayed dry, earning this pair a high rating. Additionally, when we tested for breathability, after wearing these shoes for 15 minutes, our feet weren’t damp. So these shoes are well-suited for summer. 

That said, while the left and right shoes matched, the quality of the leather was not particularly high, which took away from the overall construction of the shoe. Also, even though the shoe width was standard, the lateral width was wide. That could make walking in these shoes difficult if you have narrow feet, as they can slide from side to side in the shoes. Finally, there is no reinforcement stitching between the tongue and the body of the shoe, so this option may not be as durable as other dress shoes. 

The Rucci Plain Toe Oxford by Florsheim is advertised as combining a classic design with a contemporary touch.

When we showered these shoes for 10 seconds during testing, no water seeped into either the sole or the upper of the shoe. So these shoes would work for people who are outside a lot in changing weather conditions and locations. In addition, this shoe’s lining was firmly attached and the tongue of the shoe was thick, so this pair should last you a while.

On the other hand, while the shoes themselves are well-made, this pair lost points because the lining isn’t made of leather. In addition, because the soles were somewhat hard, our feet were susceptible to shocks from the ground and these shoes weren’t easy to walk in. Finally, after wearing the shoes for 15 minutes, we detected a slight dampness around the toes. So these likely aren’t the best dress shoes for warm weather.

The Garfield dress shoes sold by Dockers are touted to elevate any dress attire.

We tested the waterproofing under light rain conditions and found that no water seeped into the shoes, a definite plus. When we walked approximately 0.7 miles in these shoes, the soles were cushioned and easy to walk in.

That said, these shoes were poorly constructed, with differences between the left and right shoes and inconsistent stitching. When we wore them for 15 minutes, we felt slight dampness in the toe area, so these shoes got a low rating for breathability. Finally, the adhesion of the upper lining is uneven, so these shoes aren’t very durable and might fall apart within a year.

The Whiddon Cap Oxford dress shoes by Clarks stand out for their full-grain upper.

This pair performed well when we showered them for 10 seconds. They remained dry inside, earning a high rating for being waterproof. The high-quality leather upper, strong lining, and insole should last.

On the other hand, these shoes earned average marks for construction because of detectable differences between the left and right shoes. In addition, since the soles were made of synthetic material, their breathability was somewhat poor resulting in a lower rating for the prevention of dampness. Finally, the soles and leather in these shoes are hard, making them difficult to walk in. So if you walk a lot, these shoes aren’t the best choice.

The Irving dress shoe sold by Dockers is treated with Stain Defender and is advertised as being resistant to dirt.

These shoes performed well when we showered them for 10 seconds, simulating a light rain. The insides stayed dry, so this pair earned high marks for being waterproof.

When it came to the construction of the shoes, however, we observed a noticeable difference between the left and right shoes, resulting in lower marks. In addition, because these shoes are made of synthetic leather, they are prone to hydrolysis or deterioration when they’re exposed to high heat and humidity. So they’re unlikely to last you more than a year. Finally, we noticed some dampness in the heels after wearing these shoes for 15 minutes, so they also got low marks for breathability and aren’t well-suited to summertime wear. 

The Tilden Cap dress shoes by Clarks feature a sleek design with a square cap toe.

The lining of these shoes is located where it should be, and its high reinforcement is one of the selling points of these shoes. In addition, during our testing simulating a light rain, the water did not penetrate them, giving this pair high praise for being waterproof.

That said, the construction of the shoes was just average. We also felt some dampness around the entire foot after wearing these shoes for 15 minutes, so they got low marks for breathability. Finally, because of the hardness of the leather, these shoes were painful to walk in, so they’re not suitable for long walks.

The Leo Oxford Dress Shoes sold by Goodfellow & Co. are touted for their simple design, which is easy to match with any outfit.

In our waterproofing test simulating light rain, no water infiltrated the shoes, earning them high marks.

On the other hand, discrepancies in the left and right shoes as well as inconsistent sewing, led to low ratings for the shoes’ construction. Additionally, the upper is made of synthetic leather, which does not allow air to escape, so these shoes aren’t breathable. And because the reinforcing fabric inside the shoe did not extend to the toes and the sole's adhesion was unstable, these shoes weren’t designed to last. Finally, while cushioning in the heel softened some impact, the hardness of the leather could be painful in spots, so these shoes weren’t that comfortable for walking.  

The Faux-Leather Lace-Up Cap-Toe Dress Shoes sold by Alfani stand out for their modern style.

These shoes performed well during our 10-second light shower test. Water did not penetrate the shoes, proving that they are waterproof. Additionally, if you use a shoehorn to put them on, and untie the shoelaces to store them, these shoes can likely last for about a year.

On the other hand, these shoes demonstrated a low level of craftsmanship, as the position of the toe cap wasn't consistent between the left and right shoe. In addition, our feet felt a bit sweaty after we wore these shoes for 15 minutes. Finally, the soles are somewhat hard, and the shoe tongue hits the foot, which makes these shoes less comfortable to walk in, so they might not be suitable for long-term wear.

The Lyre Derby sold by Vince Camuto is advertised as a sleek, clean-cut derby dress shoe, perfect for refined settings.

During our waterproofing test, no water seeped into these leather shoes, earning them high marks. So your socks likely won’t get wet during a light rain if you’re wearing these shoes.

On the other hand, the soles of these shoes were twisted, and we observed differences between the left and right shoes, so they got low marks for construction quality. In addition, we felt some dampness all over the foot after wearing them for 15 minutes, so these shoes also got low ratings for breathability. We estimated that these shoes would probably last about a year. Finally, when we walked about 0.7 miles on the street and stairs in these shoes, the leather and soles were hard and uncomfortable to walk in.

The Tinsley Wingtip Oxford sold by Stacy Adams is touted for its sophisticated design as a wingtip oxford.

This pair earned a high rating during the waterproofing test, as water did not seep into the shoes when we showered them with water for 10 seconds.

When it came to the quality of the construction, we noticed a difference in the up and down of the heel, and the position of the stitching. In addition, we encountered some dampness throughout the shoes when we wore them for about 15 minutes, so they scored low for breathability. And since only part of the lining is adhered to the shoe, there is a high chance of it peeling off, which resulted in disappointing durability ratings. Finally, the insole is very hard and causes some discomfort. So if you’re looking for dress shoes that are as comfortable to wear as sneakers, consider other pairs.

The Andrew Plain Toe Derbys sold by Alfani is advertised as being perfect for business casual attire.

These leather shoes performed well during our waterproofing test, as they kept water out even after a 10-second shower. On the other hand, these shoes were poorly constructed, with uneven stitching and differences between the left and right shoes, resulting in low marks. Additionally, the soles are thin, so they may not withstand the impact of body weight. You likely would not be able to wear them every day for a year. These shoes also weren’t particularly breathable, as we detected some dampness after only 15 minutes of wear. Plus, the narrow width and hard leather in these shoes made them difficult to walk in for long periods of time.