The Best Black Derby Shoes for Men 2022: Prada, Dr. Martens, Paraboot, and More
Long before sneakers dominated the casual footwear space, the humble black derby shoe reigned supreme. Back then, the derby’s lace-up look made it an off-duty staple, the hard bottom you switch to when pulling on a pair of wingtips that feels a bit too corporate. (We’d say it’s overrated for its “relaxed vibe,” but it’s such an antiquatedism that it stretches the limits of believability.) today…the right? Well, not quite.
Over the past few years, the derby has made a concentrated effort to regain its rightful place in the hearts — and wardrobes — of stylish guys around the planet. And the PR push paid off. The numbers may not exactly show that, but in the popular menswear mentality, the dominance of sneakers is steadily increasing, and along with loafers, derby shoes can gain the most from its autumn. Because a lot has changed since the first derby emerged, but one thing isn’t: the silhouette remains one of the most versatile on the planet, especially in black.
Don’t believe us? Try on one of the best black derby shoes for size and then circle back. From exquisitely designed riffs to trusted classics that cost less than a night out in luxury, there’s a selection here for you. Somewhere on the shoe rack in your hallway, your sneakers are fluttering.
Daily Picks
Dr. Martens’ 1461 shoes are a rare derby shoe that looks good with jeans and suits a suit. However, mainly because 1461 looks good with everything: baggy denim, loose-fitting trousers, crisp work trousers. (Its endless versatility is thanks to the brand’s signature sturdy leather and rubber sole.) And when the time is right and you can’t resist reaching for your Docs, go for it. give in to temptation — just print out this picture of Frank Ocean and go on your merry way.
Option Ready for Suit
If you stow your last pair of shoes around March 2020, a no-frills pair of sneakers is an easy way to slip back into your leather clutch without delivering a nasty shock. A lot of the options on this list are for casual wear, but Allen Edmonds goes in the opposite direction. Their compact design and modest shape make them ideal for any formal wedding on your suddenly crowded social calendar, but they’ll look puffy when anchoring your trusty navy suit when you beat that guy.
The Tres chic Pick
Lots of sneaker lovers aspire to polish their dress shoe counterparts, but few try to estimate the weight of your favorite classic sneakers. Paraboot has made several versions of Michael since the ’40s, and by far the beloved famous French brand has had the equation going downhill. Tough leather cap + waterproof Norwegian felt + chunky rubber sole = completely unique shape, as flexible as a pair of New Balances. You can wear them with a giant pair of chinos and a sturdy jacket, but if you’re eager to put on your briefcase before the leaves change color, do like Tyler, the Creator (Parabootreciator par excellence. ) and go with a sweater vest, silk scarf, pleated shorts and elastic waist socks.
Designer’s Choice
What makes a plain black derby worth more than a thousand dollars? Depends on who you ask. Ask Prada Guy a question, and he’ll tell you, not sure, that the brand’s pedigree is enough to justify the price. But keep him on the point, and he’ll begin to rant about the wits between Raf Simons and Muiccia Prada, and how they deftly pick their noses at the conventions of anodyne, breathe life fresh life into sharp tailoring, my point-and-shoot – my men’s trousers, and — yes — sturdy black tights. And, he might say (a bit hysterically now), like the brand’s slick nylon tracksuit, Prada sneakers are practical but not well thought out, well thought out. Cut from supple leather set on a stacked rubber sole. If, at this point in the conversation, the excited look in his eyes is starting to make you feel a little uncomfortable, now is the time to bail. But if all he’s saying makes sense, well, we should probably warn you about the side effect of engaging a Prada Guy in serious conversation about derbies: you too are likely to become became Prada Guy— and the policeman was a couple with him.
Comfortable first choice
When Nathan Clark introduced his desert slipper boots in the ’50s, he couldn’t have predicted how popular his signature shoes would become. (It’s so popular, in fact, that we’ve sung its praises long, many times before.) So when we say its lowest counterpart can be even better than OG, you know we’re serious. Desert Khan is a new riff on silhouette built on the same thick rubber sole that made its sibling a smash. Looking for a derby that doesn’t feel remotely like a derby — at least any version you’ve been to before? No need to look no further.
Plus 14 other Black Derbies games we love
https://www.gq.com/story/best-black-derby-shoes-for-men The Best Black Derby Shoes for Men 2022: Prada, Dr. Martens, Paraboot, and More