Menswear narratives are often centred around the idea of must-have wardrobe essentials – a navy suit, a dark overcoat, a crisp white shirt, the perfect pair of blue jeans – with the idea being that, with a few staple building blocks, evolving your style while looking polished couldn’t be simpler. These staples all have one thing in common: versatility. And, when it comes to wear-with-anything accessories, a pair of Derby shoes should be at the top of your list.
There is hardly a setting in which Derby shoes don’t look right. The menswear equivalent of a multi-hyphenate, they can smarten up your jeans and dress down your summer suits with equal ease, and they come with some serious men’s style heritage to boot. Here’s everything you need to know.
What are Derby shoes?
For those confused about the distinction between a Derby and an Oxford, it’s all in the laces. While Oxfords are defined by a ‘closed-lacing’ system, Derbies feature an ‘open lacing’ system. This means that the eyelet tabs are stitched on top of the vamp (the upper part of the shoe that covers the top of the foot). Derbies, therefore, provide more room to adjust your shoe compared to Oxfords, making them more casual and comfortable.
With more ease and wearability than Oxfords and more elegance than loafers, Derbies are the smartest and most versatile pair of shoes you’ll own (aside, perhaps, from your favourite white trainers). Here’s our pick of the best.












Read more: The best waterproof jackets for men