Derby Shoes

Close your eyes and picture a classic men’s shoe. Chances are, you’re thinking of a derby. Known for their versatility, simplicity, and elegance, derby shoes are a step above Oxfords when it comes to comfort. And unlike the oxford, they can be dressed up and dressed down with ease.

We believe that every man should have at least two pairs of shoes: a black pair of derbies, and a brown pair of derbies. With two pairs of leather derby shoes in your closet, you’ll look sharp for any occasion.

What Are Derby Shoes?

A derby is a more relaxed cousin of the oxford. While oxfords have closed lacing — which means that a seam sits between the tongue and the toe — the derby is open. This gives derby shoes a more relaxed look and feel, making them suitable for both formal and casual settings.

In fact, the best thing about men’s derby shoes is that they’ll look great at a wedding, feel comfortable in an office, and lend a hint of refinement to a coffee date.

How to Style Derby Shoes: Casual

Leather derby shoes fall into our favorite category: cross-occasion footwear. In a casual setting, they work best with blue, black, or grey jeans. Wear them with a T-shirt and you’ll still end up with a subtly elevated look.

While everyone has their own way to wear casual derby shoes, we prefer to wear ours with no-show socks. The discretion they provide helps the fine-grain leather of our derby sneakers stand out.

How to Style Derby Shoes: Smart Casual

If you want to look sharp without excessive formality, the derby is your friend. Our recommendation: pair it with some chinos and an unstructured jacket. If chinos aren’t your thing, choose dark-wash or black jeans instead.

Wearing two-tone dress shoes can be another good way to present a polished yet casual look. By evoking the look of a sneaker, you can keep things laid back without giving up the luxury of full-grain leather.

How to Style Derby Shoes: Formal

Last but not least, the derby shoe is a mainstay of formal footwear. Wear yours with a suit and tie and you’ll have a classic outfit for any upscale occasion. Though they’re not quite as formal as Oxfords, a pair of handcrafted leather derby shoes will bring a hint of energy to a black tie event.

But if you want to dress up a derby, there is one thing to watch out for: the leather. A full-grain or top grain leather derby will nicely complement a suit, but some genuine leather derbies won’t and lack durability. Stay away from any genuine leather shoe. This leads to a cheaper product and disappointed customers. The difference?

Full-grain leather includes all of the natural grain that’s found on the top layer of a cowhide. That’s why it’s considered the highest-quality grade. Top grain removes some of the grain to give it a more uniform look. Some top grain leather shoes will cost the same or more as full grain leather shoes depending on how much work goes into them.

How to Style Derby Shoes: US Navy Uniforms

Because US Navy uniform regulations call for all-black shoes, many sailors wear black derby sneakers. In fact, our all-black derbies have received many five-star reviews from Navy officers and sailors. With full-grain leather, orthotic insoles, flexible slip resistant outsoles, they help our servicemen prepare for formal occasions without sacrificing comfort.

The Classic Derby Dress Sneaker

When we launched our first Kickstarter campaign and brought John Candor to life in 2018, the Classic Derby Dress Sneaker led the way. We set out to combine the refinement of a premium full-grain leather derby shoe with the flexibility and ground feel of a high-quality sneaker — and we still feel that this leather derby embodies the spirit of John Candor.

We designed these men’s derby shoes to move with the foot as it bends and flexes. We also worked with a podiatrist to create a leather-lined orthotic insole that provides shock absorption in both the heel and forefoot pads. And by using a lightweight, slip-resistant outsole, we’ve built a derby that can handle any terrain.

The result? A single pair of shoes that you can trust as your go-to on both business trips and vacations. 

Ethically Sourced, Artfully Crafted

In keeping with our ethos of craftsmanship, each pair of Classic Derby Dress Sneakers is handcrafted by third-generation artisan shoemakers in Colombia. They complete more than 200 steps to make each pair to order. By eliminating the middleman, we ensure that each of the 50+ families involved gets fair pay with benefits, training opportunities, and safe working conditions.

Our Classic Derby Dress Sneaker also exemplifies our commitment to stewardship. We’ve handpicked full-grain leather from certified tanners that recycle, purify, and reuse water. That way, we can ensure that we’re helping the communities that make our shoes.

To shop the Classic Derby Dress Sneaker, click here