The Best Men’s Dress Boots for a Sophisticated Look

The fashion industry is bursting at the seams with an almost incalculable amount of different dress boots, and while variety is the spice of life, having too much of it can make shopping a daunting task. It can be difficult to avoid the countless knock-offs, cheap pairs, and overhyped styles, but thankfully, you don’t need to worry about any of that. We have curated our best men’s dress boots guide with some of the best brands the industry has to offer. These are stylish, elegant, versatile, and durable offerings that are sure to turn heads in any formal setting you walk into, so have a look below to discover your next pair.

Why should you wear dress boots?

It’s an unfortunate truth that we can’t wear slippers to formal events. The world just isn’t ready to reach that point of progressivism and sophistication yet. All kidding aside, we’re happy to have dress boots as a stylish, elegant, and in many cases, versatile alternative to cover our formal footwear needs. The dress boot is a critical component of any man’s wardrobe, despite many men taking a strictly utilitarian approach when shopping for them. A great pair of dress boots not only completes your wardrobe but also increases your style quotient, elevating an entire outfit.

what to look for

Material: Typically, dress shoes are made of leather, so take note of which animal hide is used and whether or not it’s suede. Cowhide will be more durable, and other hides from animals like goats and sheep will be softer.

Style: With all the styles out there (like Chelsea boots and chukkas), you have plenty of options to complement your wardrobe. But you should decide if you’re looking for a formal pair of boots or not. If so, something more subtle is probably best.

Thursday Boots Scout Chukka

The Starter Pick: Making a “best dress boot” list without the inclusion of a Thursday Boot Co. boot would be an act of boot blasphemy. In particular, their Scout Chukka is a dapper boot that alchemizes classic British style with rugged, American design to create a dress boot for virtually any occasion. This handsome Chukka features a durable leather Stitchout construction, a fully-lined supple glove leather interior, Poron antimicrobial shock-absorbing insoles for added comfort, premium round waxed cotton laces, and studded rubber outsoles. Simply put, these boots are tough, stylish, and will last you years.

Dr. Martens 101 Suede Boots

The Best Suede Boots: A footwear institution, Dr. Martens could easily fit on the Mount Rushmore of boots. Their 101 suede boots epitomize their design language while also sporting an elegant flair due to their use of soft, oiled suede. The boots’ lace-up front offers a nice textural contrast atop their streamlined silhouette, while their signature AirWair bouncing soles with reinforced yellow stitching pop under the gorgeous all-black design. This is the type of boot that is so stylish you almost feel sorry for wearing it.

Beckett Simonon Elliot Balmoral Boots

The Best Balmoral Boots: The Beckett Simonon brand has been around since the 1800s for good reason, as their boots are stylish, elegant, and impeccably made. This classic Balmoral number features an Oxford-adjacent design due to its closed lacing system and the subtle row of hand-punched broguing near the toe cap. The boots are formal, elegant, and comfortable, featuring Vachetta leather lining to allow your feet to breathe easier, a durable rubber sole for better grip and shock absorption, and an Italian leather construction that will age like a fine wine.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

The Best American-Made Boots: For those wanting to toe the line between rugged masculinity and elegant design, we suggest Red Wing’s Iron Rangers. They offer a tough military build, yet their stitching and clean design give them a formal feel. These American-made boots feature a lace-up front, a full-grain, oiled leather construction, and a Vibram 430 mini-lug outsole. For added flair, the boots’ nickel eyelets and hooks and white stitching offer some great visual contrast against the smooth, black upper.

Alden Shoes Men’s Straight Tip Boot

The All-Arounders: A modern-day dress boot for the modern-day man, the Alden Straight Tip Cap Toe boot is a sharp offering that elevates any wardrobe with which it’s paired. It boasts a sleek and simple design with a tall, elegant silhouette that you can wear in virtually any setting. The boots feature a calfskin leather construction, a 270-degree Goodyear welt, and a layer of cork under the insole to enhance durability and insulation. For added quality and stability, the boot even has a tempered steel shank that’s precisely contoured and triple ribbed — definitely not something you see every day in dress boots.

Tricker’s Stow Boots

The Best British Boots: Sporting an ankle-length profile and a silhouette that’s equal parts elegant and rugged, Tricker’s Stow Boots are a jack-of-all-trades choice. In terms of style and versatility, these boots concede nothing with an intricate broguing pattern throughout the boot that provides visual and textural contrast against the boot’s smooth full-grain leather construction. They’re handcrafted in the brand’s Northampton workshop and stitched to sturdy and reliable Dainite rubber soles, which offer excellent traction while also helping to ensure that this stylish offering lasts for years.

Alden x Todd Snyder Plain Toe Boot

The Best Chukkas: It only makes sense that two juggernaut style brands working together would yield a phenomenal dress boot, which is exactly the case for the Alden x Todd Snyder Plain Toe Boot. These limited-edition hand-crafted boots take Alden’s already stellar plain toe boot and give them a dark, gorgeous chamois construction. They feature a 360-degree storm welt to keep out moisture and a natural plantation crepe outsole for durability. Those looking for trendy boots that are understated yet head-turningly cool should absolutely add these to their wardrobe.

Cheaney & Sons Hanover Balmoral Boot

The Classic Pick: It’s almost a crime that Cheaney & Sons’ Hanover Balmoral Boot can’t be seen at eye level. The boot’s name commands respect and connotes class, while its silhouette provides an elegant vibe, all packaged in a confident, burgundy calf leather construction. These luxe boots sport a distinctive navy leather lining, in-channel stitched oak bark leather soles with a hand-painted fiddle waist, and oak bark soles. They’re sophisticated, gorgeous, made-to-last, and will stop traffic wherever you wear them.

Crockett and Jones Kew

The Best City Boots: An unforgivably stylish dress boot from one of James Bond’s favorite brands, Crockett & Jones’ Kew chukka boot is nothing less than stunning. Its willow-grain finish provides a level of class and sophistication that’s unrivaled by its competitors, while the full-grain leather and “city” rubber sole give the Kew a dimension of durability and stability. One look at the gorgeous texture of the Kew and you know immediately that the detail and quality of care that went into making this boot was impeccable. We’d classify this boot as a wearable statement piece, full stop.

Brunello Cucinelli Waxed-Suede Chelsea Boots

The Grail Pick: Red-hot designer Brunello Cucinelli’s Chelsea boots feature a stone-wax suede construction, which enhances their durability and longevity while also looking great. Their silhouette is streamlined, understated, and elegant, allowing you to wear them to a variety of places — which is good news because you are going to want to show these boots off everywhere. Throw in their elasticated gussets that bring enhanced comfort, and you’ll struggle to find a reason to ever take these dress boots off.

The Best Suede Jackets for Timeless Style

Suede jackets are just as stylish and versatile as dress boots, and they’ll look great with your new pair of shoes.