WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
So, you’ve been invited to a wedding. Or perhaps you’re the one getting married. And you’ve made your way over to FARFETCH because you require a lil’ nudge in the right direction towards some, dare we say it (God help us), ‘trendy’ wedding shoes. As always, we’re more than happy to offer a helping hand.
Without further ado, we present you with the 12 designer labels we’d recommend for shoes for a wedding, no matter if it’s your big day or your best friend’s, your brother’s, your mother’s or someone else you give a damn about.
Malone Souliers
When Mary Alice Malone launched Malone Souliers in 2014, she put her entire focus on women’s shoes. Five years later, the Pennsylvania designer launched her first men’s collection and has never looked back. We bring the brand to your attention as Malone’s eye for design allows her to form some of the most sophisticated and idiosyncratic men’s wedding shoes on the market. Look out for the sumptuous satin monk shoes, the formidable leather combat boots and the perforated-detail leather loafers that scream ‘Italian wedding’.
Harrys of London
Once upon a time, sacrifices had to be made: you either looked stylish or felt comfortable. But over the last few decades, it’s become possible to feel just as good as you look. Case in point: Harrys of London’s selection of shoes. Ever since 2001, the British brand has been providing luxury fiends with kicks that are so cosy, you’ll never want to wear any other shoes – bar trainers – for as long as you live. So, when shopping for creps for a wedding, keep Harrys in mind.
Church’s
We're hoping that Church’s is already on your radar, but if you’re not familiar with the boujee almost-150-year-old footwear retailer, we highly recommend checking out the Prada Group brand’s timeless selection of shoes when mentally piecing together your wedding attire. We mean, who wouldn't want a pair of shoes handmade using uber-luxe materials in Northampton, England?
Common Projects
Eager to add a touch of contemporary flair to your wedding get-up? Look no further than Common Projects. You may associate the American luxury footwear label with sneakers but, as of late, we’ve been obsessed with Common Projects ‘proper’ footwear offerings, from its brown Derby shoes to its khaki penny loafers. Naturally, each shoe is decorated with the brand's signature detail: a gold foil serial number placed upon the sidewall.
Tod’s
Tod's creates foolproof footgear for everyone – you, your nephew and your grandfather included. From its esteemed driving loafers available in practically every hue under the sun to its sleek and sophisticated leather Oxfords, the Marche-based brand has plenty to offer. Ergo, they’re certain to have something suitable for the wedding you’re attending, no matter if it’s set on the Amalfi Coast or in suburban Chicago.
JW Anderson
Struggling to find wedding shoes because smart creps aren't usually your thing? Prefer to embellish your feet with colorful textiles and conspicuous details? Check out JW Anderson’s array of loafer mules: shoes guaranteed to win over even the most stubborn sneakerheads. The British brand – founded by its namesake in 2008 – has reinvented the humble mule in so many different ways, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice, no matter your usual style.
Prada
Sure, securing a pair of wedding-appropriate Prada shoes may require you to splash a little cash, but at least you can guarantee you’ll be able to find plenty of excuses to wear the timeless shoes post-wedding celebrations. Think about it: every time you attend a job interview, a funeral and, of course, a wedding, you’ll be grateful that you’ve got a pair of formal occasion-appropriate Prada kicks sitting around on your shoe rack.
Santoni
Searching for a gimmick-free wedding shoe that will almost definitely garner compliments? It sounds like it’s a pair of Santoni shoes you’re after. Each pair of shoes designed by the Italian family business is a humble flex – the kind of shoes that will impress both those that spend thousands on their wardrobe and those that simply get dressed because they have to. So, which pair are you choosing? Will it be the neutral-hued buckled loafers, the laser-cut detail monk straps or something other?
Versace
If your wedding ensemble is lacking pizzazz, a pair of Versace shoes – say a Greca-patterned loafer or a Medusa head-adorned derby – is just the thing you need to instantly bling up your ‘fit. And if you’re feeling really flashy, you could even punctuate your suited-and-booted get-up with hits of Donatella-designed jewelry to complement your gold-embellished footwear. Talk about Italian glamour.
Stefan Cooke
Whilst there are certain guidelines we recommend you follow when choosing a wedding suit, we still believe that your attire should reflect your personality. And if you’re renowned for your punk sensibility, we suggest scrolling through our stock of Stefan Cooke shoes that scream rock ‘n’ roll louder than The Sex Pistols. Expect to see salient details, from striking buckles to curious bell motifs to suggestive leather stitches.
Bally
When in doubt, we look to Bally for inspiration, as the Swiss luxury fashion house has been dressing the feet of the flyest gentleman worldwide ever since 1851. As always, the brand has a ton of faultless footwear offerings in its current collection – from sumptuous calf leather loafers to pitch-perfect brogues – each of which is sure to impress fellow attendees of the wedding you’re attending and all of the weddings you attend thereafter.
Gucci
If you can’t treat yourself to a bit of Gucci for a wedding day, when can you? The perennially relevant Italian label that needs no introduction is responsible for creating some of the most drool-inducing smart shoes on the market, each just as well crafted as the next. Keep things classic by opting for a pair of perforated brogues, or jazz things up with some GG tassel loafers brought to life by a hit of the brand’s quintessential monagram.
Magnanni
Magnanni is a shoemaker based in Almansa – a Spanish town located in the Albacete region – that prides itself on its traditional craftsmanship based on techniques that date back to the 1950s. Often, the brand uses hand-painted leather in its manufacturing process to create smart shoes that possess an artistic edge, and we recommend checking them out if you're looking for an easy way to spice up a frill-free fit.