How to Wear a Black Jacket and Brown Shoes Without Tipping Off the Fashion Police

Jackets are truly wardrobe essential for men; they help complete an outfit and make it look put together. Having a great jacket makes you look great, boost your confidence, and allows you to make a fashion statement. From bomber jackets and racer jackets to denim and shearling, jackets have survived for centuries. Always reinvented and adapted to the current trends and needs, but never going out of fashion.

Whether you are looking to overhaul your wardrobe or you are just getting started on building a high-quality wardrobe – this article can help guide you; from describing various types of jackets and how to style them with your shoes, to offering visual fashion inspiration.

What types of jackets are out there?

Many people pool together jackets and coats and sometimes use them interchangeably, but they are indeed different. Jackets are usually waist-length, light and less insulating, whereas coats are longer and protect more against the weather. So what are the main types of jackets for men?

1. Biker jackets
2. Bomber jackets
3. Blouson jackets
4. Denim jackets
5. Shearling jackets

Biker jackets

Biker jackets are tight-fitting, leather jackets are close with a zipper. They may have extra pockets with zipper or studs as decoration. Leather jackets are excellent against the wind, have the attitude and are stylish at the same time.

Bomber jackets

Bomber jackets are also now as flight jackets and were originally worn by Air Force crew members around the world. They are characterized by elastic waistband and cuffs and can be very versatile. While bomber jackets were first made out of leather, they now come in other materials — more commonly nylon.

Blouson jackets

Similar to the bomber jackets are the blouson jackets. Blouson jackets are waist-length with elastic or tight cuffs and waistband. What differentiates them is usually the classic collar, making them dressier than bomber jackets.

Denim jackets

Denim jackets are definitely something worth investing in. While everybody has one blue denim jacket, get your hands on a black one too, perfect for colder days.

Shearling jacket

A shearling jacket is perfect for colder days. Featuring a leather or suede exterior and a wool interior, a shearling jacket is sure to keep you warm and make you look smart at the same time.

Invest in a black leather jacket to go with your brown shoes

After having checked out so many types of men’s jackets, why not focus on leather jackets? Much like the tailored suit or jeans, a black leather jacket is a must-have in a man’s wardrobe. While genuine leather jackets can end up being quite expensive, buying one is a true investment. If you need reasons to get your hands on one, then look no further.

• Offers protection
• Lasts a long time
• Always in style
• Gives a boost of confidence

A high-quality leather jacket will be there for your to shield you against the weather – it is protecting you against the wind and is water-resistant too. If it’s well-made and well taken care of, a leather jacket can last for a lifetime (and more).

Leather jackets are always in style, albeit there can be trends for certain cuts, colors or embellishments. If you are looking for something long-lasting, look for a jacket in a classic cut that fits your body type and fashion style.

Last but not least, with its rebellious aura, a leather jacket can seriously pump up your confidence.

While leather is just a material, most of the jackets we have talked about before are basically leather jackets. Let us go into more detail about leather jackets.

1. Biker jacket
2. Racer jacket
3. Bomber jacket
4. Field jacket

Biker leather jacket

Biker jackets are the first ones that pop up in our minds when we think of leather jackets. We picture a black jacket with an asymmetric zipper, tight sleeves, and a notch collar.

Racer leather jacket

A cousin of the biker jacket is the racer jacket. Also known as ‘cafe racer’ jacket, they started being used in high-speed motorcycle races. The ‘cafe racer’ jacket was born in the 60s, in England, where soldiers coming home from WWI would race for fun on motorbikes, between cafes. Featuring a tight fit and a snap-down collar, racer jackets have the ultimate ‘bad boy’ vibe.

Bomber leather jacket

The original bomber jackets were made of leather, with elastic waistband and cuffs. Nowadays they can be more tailored, and the cuffs and waistband do not have to be elastic, but rather tight-fitting. Featuring a band collar, leather bomber jackets are great for casual-chic outfits.

Leather field jacket

A lesser-known leather jacket is the field jacket. The field jacket is another example of military menswear taken into mainstream fashion. Originally made of cotton, the jacket is now also made of leather. It features various pockets and a belted waist. It is a great leather jacket for colder weather and goes great with jeans, a knitted sweater, and Chelsea boots. For a more formal look, wear it with a grey shirt, brown shoes, and dress pants.

You may wonder “There are so many types of jackets, do I have to own one of each?” The answer is no. Always go for jackets that fit your style. Nevertheless, a leather jacket (no matter the style) is a must-have. So perhaps it is best to start with one and then slowly build your jacket collection from there. If you are on a tight budget, invest in versatile pieces and ideally a one jacket per season. In time, you should invest in further pieces. Having several jackets to choose from allows you to rotate in between them and lowers their wear and tear.

How to choose the perfect black jacket to pair with brown shoes

There are a plethora of choices when it comes to men’s jackets. And now you are ready to go shopping and get the jacket that will make you feel and look great. To help you on this shopping journey, check out some tips on what to look out for when buying a jacket.

1. Choose a jacket you will like
2. Check the quality of the material as well as the way the jacket was done
3. Make sure the jacket fits you well and is comfortable
4. Pay attention to special features that you may find useful
5. Familiarize yourself with the return policy

What type of jacket are you looking for to complete your wardrobe? Are you looking for a more bad boy leather jacket? Or a comfortable denim jacket for early fall days? Having a certain image in your mind of the jacket you are looking for can help you maximize your time in the shop.

You may as well be open for suggestions and you are just looking to see what the offer of jackets is out there. If you are looking for something that is long-lasting and classy, you cannot go wrong with leather. For something more casual, suede can be a great choice. A denim jacket is something that should be considered too and can be worn from spring until fall. For a more wintery jacket, how about a shearling jacket – the wool on the inside will keep you warm and cozy. No matter the style and material that you go for, it is important to choose something that you love and are eager to add to your outfits.

Be it denim, leather, cotton or suede, it is crucial that you check the quality of the material. If you are looking for a cold-weather jacket, you may want a water-resistant or even waterproof outer layer. You have already had a look at the quality of the material itself, but you should also look at how it was done all over. Have a look at the zippers and the cuffs. You have to be sure that they are of high quality, long-lasting material. Test the zippers to make sure they are working smoothly – everybody hates a zipper that gets stuck or gets broken easily. If you are looking for a fall or winter jacket, check that the cuffs are tight, to offer protection against the rain. Make sure to check that there are no threads hanging, the stitching is well done, and there are no holes in the fabric.

Does the jacket fit well? Try it on and look at how it fits on you. Does it fit at the shoulders? Are the sleeves long enough, and loose/tight enough? Does it close comfortably around the neck? Is it comfortable all over – would it snap if you stretch a bit too much? If it’s a jacket you plan on wearing in winter, try it on over a sweater you would usually wear.

While trying on the jacket is the perfect time to also check for any special features. Cold weather jackets may have a hidden or removable hood, perfect for rainy days. Another great feature of cold weather jackets is fleece-lined pockets for extra warmth. Does the coat come with a belt? This can be seen on bike jackets or field jackets and have a slimming effect. How about inside pockets? These can be great for keeping your wallet safely.

Make yourself acquainted with the store’s return policy. Once you get home you may either realize you do not like the jacket as much or even spot some faults you did not spot in the shop. That way, you will be able to return it.

Find perfect brown shoes to match the black jacket

Let’s start from the top – the black jacket. Black is the easiest color to style and should be one of the first colors to seriously consider when choosing a high-quality jacket. Black goes well with all types of jackets, from biker and bombers to denim and shearling. And it is also easy to style with brown shoes and – let’s not forget the most underrated yet crucial men’s accessory – dress socks!

Now that you have the black jacket, you are wondering how you can style it with brown shoes. This may appear challenging, especially of how many shades of brown are out there. To keep it simple, we can break it in three main categories

• Light to medium brown
• Dark brown
• Burgundy

Light to medium brown encompasses a large part of the brown shoes out there, as they can range from tan and camel to walnut and cognac. You can style these shoes for more casual outfits. Wear your camel Chukkas with a black biker jacket, beige sweater, and dark jeans, for a casual winter outfit. For a medium brown, how about a pair of walnut brown lace-up boots, with brown sweater, black pants, and a black shearling jacket? Or, how about this pair of double monks with green accents? Guaranteed to stay warm, comfortable and look stylish at the same time!

Dark brown shoes are usually the most popular brown shoes, and they can be worn especially for formal occasions. You can also wear them on a daily basis, for more elegant combinations – how about pairing them with a black bomber jacket with shirt and khaki pants? Not formal, but not too casual either.

Burgundy brown are a great alternative to dark brown shoes. Because of the red tint, they are warmer than your usual brown, and can be a pleasure to style. Wear your burgundy shoes with a black leather jacket, an all black outfit and just a dark red accessory to match the red tint in the shoes.

Fun socks to go with a black jacket and brown shoes

You’ve got your black jacket and brown shoes matching game on. But have your given any thought to socks? Unlike women’s fashion, when it comes to men’s fashion, men’s socks play a more important role. That is why they are such an important accessory. In most cases, they are visible and choosing them carefully is important. You want to either allow them to blend and match or completely stand out.

If you want the socks to blend in with the rest of the outfit, they should be matching the pants. For light-colored pants, you go for light-colored socks (either similar color or white). And the same goes for dark-colored pants. Now, if you want to stand out, the world is your oyster. You can choose the dress socks to either contrast your pants – think khaki pants and cobalt blue cool socks. Or tan pants and crimson red socks. Alternatively, you can match the socks to something else in your outfit – jacket, scarf, sweater, etc. How about a red plaid scarf and crimson red socks? In the end, you would just have to make sure that overall, the colors look great together.

Check out this table for some outfit inspiration when you want to match your brown shoes and socks when wearing a black jacket!

Type of brown shoe	Sock color
Light to medium brown Image source: Bold Society Shoes	Dusty/faded shades (of lavender, beige, yellow, lavender, blue), cold colors (blue, green, purple) Image source: Soxy
Dark brown Image source: Bold Society Shoes	Bright colors (crimson red, cobalt blue, yellow), funky patterns Image source: Soxy
Burgundy brown Image source: gentwith_	Bright shades of red Image source: Soxy

Matching the brown shoes to the black jacket

While you do not have to match the jacket and the shoes exactly, they should match in style. Just like the rest of your outfit. With so many varieties of jackets, you should pay attention to both the weather and the occasion.

Check out these tables below for some tips on how to style your jacket by season! They can serve as guidelines while you are building your wardrobe, and make sure that you are investing in versatile and high-quality pieces.

The examples below are good for in-between weather, when it is not too cold, but not too warm either. This is perfect for the middle and end of spring, as well as the beginning of fall. These are also great for the summer when the evenings are chillier. 

Style	Types of jacket	Types of shoes
Dressy	Blouson, racer	Dress shoes
Casual / Sporty	Biker, racer, denim, bomber	Sneakers, loafers, boat shoes, espadrilles

For the end of fall, when the weather gets colder and rainier, throughout the winter and even the beginning of spring.

Style	Type of jacket	Type of shoes
Dressy	Field jacket	Dress shoes, brogue boots
Casual	Shearling	Chelsea boots, Chukka boots

In terms of colors, jackets do not have to match with the shoes. Brown shoes are usually rather tricky to style, compared to black shoes, because of the various shades of brown out there. However, as long as they match in terms of season and style, you are rather free in picking their color and material. If you are a fan of neutral colors, black, brown, and mid-tone colors (navy, olive, mustard, etc), then you should be on the right track.

Can you really wear a black jacket with brown shoes?

Most certainly you can! While in most cases the belt has to match the shoes, when it comes to matching the jacket with the shoes, the rules are laxer and you are free to experiment.

You can wear an all black and white outfit and allow the brown shoes to be a pop of color. In this case, go for lighter and warmer shades of brown. Otherwise, a very dark brown will blend in. Style your biker leather jacket with a black and white tee, black jeans and lace-up brown boots.

If you prefer a more uniform outfit, check out how you can dress up a black denim jacket. Combine dark wash jeans, a black sweater, a black shirt, and brown shoes. 

Alternatively, add some brown or similar colors somewhere else in your outfit to balance out the colors. Wear a black winter bomber jacket, with a beige turtleneck sweater, charcoal jeans, and brown Chelsea boots.

Spice up your outfit with accessories

For a complete outfit, do not forget to add accessories that will help you look more put together.

• Sunglasses
• Scarves
• Bags

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will definitely make you look cooler and more polished. For maximum effect, pair your sunglasses to the style of the jacket. Aviator glasses go great with bomber and field jackets. Match your denim jacket with black ground sunglasses. Wayfarer sunglasses and biker/racer jackets go well together. Wear your blouson jacket with clubmaster sunglasses. When it comes to shearling jackets, you can go for either model. 

In either case, make sure the shape of the sunglasses matches the shape of your face. When it comes to seasons, sunglasses can also be worn in winter, especially when the sun is shining and the snow is already piled up. Your eyes and the area around them need protection all year round.

Scarves

Scarves are more of a cold-weather accessory. They come in various sizes, patterns, colors. When you go scarf shopping, try to wear the jacket and the shoes that you want to go well with. For black jacket and brown shoes, the scarf can be either black or have warmer tones to match the brown. 

Depending on the shade of brown of the shoes, the scarf can be a shade of white (off-white, eggshell, cream, etc), beige, khaki, and of course, brown. If you are a fan of patterns, a plaid pattern that has some brown, beige or red in it will fit in just fine. Also, you can figure out how to wear a shemagh and sport one with your cool black jacket.

Bags

Bags are another accessory that you can play with in terms of colors, style, and material. Just like with the other accessories, you can either let it blend in or let it stand out, be the focus of your outfit.

Gloves

Gloves should not be forgotten in cold weather. They keep you warm and protect your hands, but also complete your outfit. Like the accessories mentioned before, their style and material should match the outfit. If you are going for a sporty style (such as a denim jacket), you can go with cotton gloves. When it comes to leather jackets, gloves should be also leather and same for suede.

Matching your black jacket and brown shoes can be a piece of cake

Both black jackets and brown shoes are essential to a man’s wardrobe. Knowing how to wear them (for example with a brown shoe blue shirt combo) is key to stylish, put together outfits. With so much variety of jackets out there, you are bound to find at least one that makes you feel confident.

There are infinite combinations to be made with black jackets and brown shoes. You can play not only with colors, patterns, materials, and cuts, but also with layering, and adding various accessories. Fashion is about trial and error; it is about experimenting and finding what works for you, your body, your life, and your style.

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