Grey shoes are a rare animal in menswear. While they are inappropriate for most offices with a conservative, business-professional dress code, theyare appropriate for social occasions (especially in the evening) and casual wear.

In this guide, you will learn how to match your grey shoes with trousers through the following headers:

  • Grey Shoe Coordination Overview
  • Matching Grey Shoes With Different Trouser Colors
  • Printable Shoe & Trouser Coordination Download

The links above allow you to jump ahead. Otherwise, scroll down to keep reading. For more color coordination guides, head to menu below.

Grey Suede Brogues & Green Trousers

How To Match Grey Shoes With Your Trousers

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Matching Shoes With Grey Shoes Overview

The beauty of a pair of grey shoes is that while it's an unorthodox shoe color, it's still grey. The versatility factor is high with a pair of these.

It's likely that if you go somewhere in a pair of grey shoes that you'll bethe only guy in the place wearing grey shoes. If you do this well, this will generate positive attention and earn you some serious style points.

Read on for how to make grey shoes work in your wardrobe.

Grey-Shoe-Coordination-Graphic NOTE: There are exceptions to every rule.
Use your good judgement, and feel free to leave us a comment if you have questions!

Read on for full explanations and reasoning of the above coordination suggestions. Or, click here to go see our Ultimate Shoe & Trouser Color Coordination Matrix showcasing how to match any color shoes with any color trousers.

How To Coordinate Grey Shoes With Different Trousers

Best Trouser Matches

Navy

Navy blue and grey is a gorgeous combination of colors. Being totally neutral, grey really lets navy be the blue it wants to be. This is a great way to give your navy suits some life they might not otherwise have.

Grey

A charcoal grey trouser with a grey shoe will actually be a very interesting look, just make sure the grey shoe isn't too light compared to the pant. Otherwise it'll just look washed out.

Blue

A medium blue trouser will work well with a grey shoe for the same reason that navy does. If this lighter trouser is a chino or other casual pant, try a grey driving loafer or derby. No matter what style you choose, this color combination is unorthodox and very, very smart.

Black

It's got a fashion-forward feel to it, but you can definitely wear grey shoes with black trousers. We suggest a more casual outfit for this pairing as opposed to a suit. You might want to try this for an evening out when you'd be wearing black shoes otherwise.

Jeans

One of my personal favorite outfit's main components is grey dress shoes and dark, slim denim. I wear that pretty much every New Year's and get compliments every time.

White

We love white trousers because of their versatility. If you're in a tropical climate or if it's the appropriate time of year wherever you live, you can definitely wear white trousers with grey shoes. We suggest a lighter shade of grey as opposed to a darker one.

Red

Red cotton pants and a casual grey shoe will look great together and provide you with a very unique look. If you can get your hands on a grey canvas shoe especially, we strongly suggest trying it out!

Acceptable Trouser Matches

Light Grey

This is a case where you have to be careful about selecting shades of grey that won't wash each other out. If you wear light grey trousers, keep those shoes a dark grey. Still, we suggest a light brown or tan.

Tan

Color-wise this is a lovely combination. We deem it "acceptable" because it works best in more casual outfits. Try it with chinos and a camp moccasin.

Olive

Grey Brogues With Mint trousers

Similar to pairing with tan trousers, combining grey shoes with olive trousers is great from a color perspective. The important thing to remember is that this is a casual pairing and shouldn't be done with dress clothing. These light green pants with tan suede brogues is a great warm-weather combo.

Beige

Another "keep it casual" pairing, this will work for weekend wear and after-work outfits.

Brown

This is a tough one. Chocolate brown is viewed as a substitute for charcoal grey in the suit world, and grey shoes are arguably an alternative to brown shoes in the footwear world. You'd think the combination would be a hit, right?

We're putting this on the "acceptable" list but advising you to exercise caution when doing so. Let the shoes do the talking, and don't wear it to a work meeting.

No-Go Trouser Matches

Nothing to see here. Grey shoes are just that versatile.

Free Printable Download For Reference At Home

Below is a downloadable printout of our full color coordination matrix so you can save a copy to use at home!

Download PDF | Download JPEG

The-Ultimate-Shoe-&-Trouser-Coordination-Matrix-By-Bespoke-Unit-750

What Next?

Now that you have read about the how to match grey shoes with trousers, check out some related guides below:

  • Shoe & Trouser Coordination Homepage
  • Top 10 Best Men's Dress Shoes
  • Most Comfortable Dress Shoes For Men
  • Bespoke Unit Shoe Homepage
Grey Shoe & Trouser Color Coordination Guide
Reviewed by Mark R., on .
"Great article and nicely written. Was looking for inspiration for a couple of grey shoes I've accumulated. Thank you!"
Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★

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