Style is the most important criterion when it comes to best dress shoes. Some fanatics might say it’s the most important for all types of footwear, but that’s a bit of a stretch; when exercising or just going about your daily life, comfort ranks much higher, since wearing uncomfortable footwear could lead to blisters, cuts, callouses, and even long-term problems with the joints. However, when it comes to dress shoes, you won’t be wearing them for long periods of time. Even if they cause a bit of discomfort, the few hours for which you wear them isn’t enough to cause much harm. That’s why we think style comes first.

Shoe style, or shoe type, can determine the occasions for which the shoe is suitable. Since “dress shoes” isn’t a category of its own, it can be difficult to decide just what type of shoe to choose. However, some types are considered to be “traditional” dress shoe styles. It’s safer to stick to these to ensure you have dressed appropriately for the event.

Starting with men’s options, Oxfords are the most popular pick. These are characterized by the facing that is stitched under the vamp, also known as “closed lacing,” resulting in a slim silhouette. Within this umbrella category, there are cap toe, wingtip, whole cut, and plain toe Oxfords. Derbies are similar and are also popular. The third is the Monk Strap, which has a more traditional look and is not worn as much anymore. Further down the list are loafers and Chukka boots.

As for women, high heels are the obvious choice. They are feminine and glamorous, which is perfect for semi-formal and formal occasions. However, you want to make sure the heel isn’t so high that they seem more suitable for a Friday night out. Stick to kitten heels or pumps that measure two or three inches tall. Court shoes can also be chosen for traditional elegance, and brogues for a masculine element.

When we say “uppers,” we’re referring to the part of the shoe covering the toes, the foot, and the back of the heels. It can be thought of as the outer surface, and it is attached to the outsole using either the Goodyear Welt or glue. Some uppers are cut as a single piece while others include several pieces stitched into one. The tongue and the vamp are sometimes classified as part of the uppers as well, but nowadays they are mostly distinguished as separate parts of the footwear.

It goes without saying that the, in our list, the uppers of all the shoes are white. But the reason why this is a criterion isn’t so much because of color, but rather because of material. The thing is, the uppers are what protect the foot from the world outside, whether that’s scuffs or harsh weather. By consequence, they need to be made of the right materials.

When it comes to dress shoes, leather and suede are the most common upper materials—for a good reason. These two variations of animal skins are super flexible, supple, and durable. They are elastic, meaning they can stretch without risking tears or abrasion, and can also be made waterproof to protect you from wet weather. They also have a rich and luxurious appearance, though when dyed white the effect is less apparent. The only downside is that they are costly materials that can easily drive up the price of the footwear.

Nowadays, with the rise of manufacturing, synthetics are also commonly used. This material has benefits of its own, though keep in mind that it is not traditional. Synthetics refers to materials that are man-made, such as patent leather or vinyl. They are composed of an external surface along with a polyester backing. Their biggest advantage is their cheap price and, sometimes, their glossy appearance. However, they are less durable, less breathable, and less luxurious than leather and suede.

When purchasing any type of footwear, especially those worn during the warmer months, you should always ask yourself “how breathable are they?” Those with sweaty feet know the struggle. No matter how exciting the event is or how much you need to be focused and engaged, you just can’t do that with shoes that feel like ovens. On top of that, accumulated moisture and warmth can lead to bad odors and the growth of harmful bacteria. Athlete’ Foot, a foot fungus, also thrives in these conditions.

Shoe breathability is determined by the material from which it is made. Breathable fabrics were first produced with methods that resembled waterproofing. It included glossing the fabrics with solvents, but this method aroused environmental concerns. Today, manufacturers rely instead on having micro-pores in the fabric to allow moisture molecules to pass through. This way, excess body heat can escape and keep the feet feeling fresh and dry.

Tests have shown that microfibre leather provides the best ventilation out of all materials. This genuine vegan leather allows moisture to escape evenly through the pores and is commonly used in athletic shoes. Next up is genuine cowhide leather, which releases moisture but does so unevenly through the pores. The third and worst type of material are synthetics, including polyurethane and synthetic leather, through which moisture can escape very little, if at all. Keep in mind that synthetic leather is not the same as genuine vegan leather!

Buying footwear online is tricky because you take a huge risk when it comes to comfort. Since you can’t try them on and feel them yourself, you have to have faith that they’ll fit comfortably. There are, however, some ways that you can ensure a higher chance of getting the right pair. This includes having the right size, breathability, and material quality, which we explain in more detail in the rest of our criteria. However, it also includes shape and support.

Before making your purchase, take a look at the shape of your foot. Is it curved? Straight? Somewhere in between? Is it wide or narrow? Since shoes are designed to hug the foot for a snug and supportive fit, you need to make sure the shape of the shoe matches the shape of your foot. If you know for a fact that you’ve got wide feet, for instance, we recommend you skip the narrow flats and pumps. Some manufacturers have different width sizes (ex. Narrow, medium, or wide fit) to better accommodate each individual.

Support is more of a priority for athletic shoes because physical activity puts a lot of pressure on the feet, making it extra important to keep the arches support and the joint protected. However, you can never go wrong with a bit of extra comfort. The inside curve of the foot, also known as the arch, bears the most weight when walking, so it’s nice to have that part of the foot supported. This can be done by having a distinctly contoured shape on the footbed. Though not frequently found in heels, some men’s dress shoes will offer this feature.

A study done by the College of Podiatry states that nearly half of women and one-third of men purchase footwear that doesn’t fit properly. That’s a high percentage! If you’re part of that percentage, the bad news is that money and a slight discomfort aren’t the only cost you’re paying. In the long term, footwear that doesn’t fit can cause blisters, bunions, chronic foot pain, and even more serious issues. It could cost you your health.

Thankfully, you can take steps to ensure you get the right size. Though you may not be able to try on the dress shoes and feel see their size for yourself when shopping online, we’ve got some tips to facilitate the process for you.

Firstly, keep up-to-date measurements of your feet. It is recommended that you measure your feet once a year, as their size tends to change with time. Next, take these measurements and compare them to those of the sizing charts of different manufacturers, which will show you the corresponding shoe size to your foot measurement. Then, you can simply pick the shoe size that comes closest to your measurements.

If one of your feet ends up being larger than the other (it’s more common than you think!), it is advised to pick the size according to the larger of the two. In addition, make sure to have extra room if you intend to wear thick socks with the shoes—though that’s more applicable to winter footwear rather than dress shoes.