What shoes to wear on a night out

When you’re going out in the evening, you need a good outfit, and a stylish pair of shoes to match. Deciding what to wear is hard enough, without having to wonder whether your shoes will work with the outfit. Plus, you often have to think about whether you’ll be allowed in – as many bars these days have a ‘no trainers’ rule.

Therefore, Mainline Menswear has been on a few nights out (for the benefit of our reader of course) to provide you with an answer. Different types of shoes work for different types of nights out, so let us explain it to you then all that’s left is for you to get out there.

Trainers

These days, trainers are the most common shoe you will see out and about. The range of styles, colours and designs out there makes them the most versatile shoe. And that’s not even to mention all the different brands which produce hundreds of types of trainers.

For a night out on the town, hopping from club to club or dancing your night away by the main stage, trainers are the way forward. The key to a night of clubbing is comfort, you don’t want to have to cut your night short because your feet hurt. Trainers are generally the most comfortable shoe, providing you get the fit right, so they’ll allow you to stay out until dawn without even a second thought for your feet.

Getting the style right can be a bit more complicated. If you’re going to a club where you know drinks will be thrown around and it’ll get a bit dirty, stay away from white trainers. Otherwise, white trainers are probably the smartest trainer style to pull off. Their clean and pristine look coupled with black skinny jeans, a logo tee and bomber jacket is the ideal clubbing attire.

If white trainers aren’t your thing, then opt for something subtle like black or navy. This will allow them to blend into your outfit, and won’t get you spotted too much like you would in bright red shoes. We suggest these black Adidas Los Angeles trainers or these Asics Gel Kayano trainers in blue.

Boots

For a more casual trip to the pub, you can’t go wrong with a causal pair of boots. Paired best with tapered jeans and a well-pressed shirt, boots will complete your pub attire; making you look smart, but not like you’ve come straight from the office. 

These Hugo Boss Desert boots are a deep blue, which means they’ll go with any outfit. The smooth shaping also draws in the eyes and lets everyone know you understand footwear. If you want a higher boot style, these Chelsea boots by Ralph Lauren are smart, easy slip-ons. Best paired with skinny jeans, they’ll top off a pub outfit and bring a bit of style to your evening.

Brogues

The brogue is a smart shoe, that you can definitely wear to work. However, it will also complete your outfit if you’re heading out to a fancy bar for a couple of cocktails or an exquisite craft lager. The detailing on brogues is refined, yet the essence of smart-casual. 

Brogues generally come in brown or tan colours, which we think look the best. However, you can go for a black brogue or a coloured brogue in a deep burgundy. Both chinos and jeans will look classic with brogues, although the chino will create a smarter look.

From Mainline Menswear, we suggest these Grenson Dylan brogues; a classic brown style which will complement a straight-leg pair of trousers and a crisp shirt. Or, these Ted Baker brogues are a cheaper option made with soft suede leather and have a slightly more casual appearance.

Loafers

Finally, loafers are the ideal choice for a nice dinner followed by a few drinks. Like brogues, they are smart-casual shoes which are delicately designed with leather to create a polished finish. Loafers come in an array of colours, brown, black and red are the most popular, but you can find anything to pair with your outfit. They’re so versatile, loafers go just as well with shorts as trousers! We suggest these Ralph Lauren Wes loafers, available in navy or red.

Mainline Menswear has a large footwear section, filled with hundreds of options for you to choose between. Visit our website here to browse our extensive range of both footwear, and clothing.