I have a trade show to work wearing a white oxford shirt and Khakis. I’m told black shoes are aren’t ok. True?

Can you answer Roger S’s question about Trade Shows?:

I’d like to wear a black belt and black Doc Martens for comfort and avoid getting some new brown shoes.
Thanks everyone! Juki - I pushed back on it and got the affirmative ‘Brown’ so I just picked some up since my Keens are too casual.

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12 Responses to “I have a trade show to work wearing a white oxford shirt and Khakis. I’m told black shoes are aren’t ok. True?”

  1. William D on July 17th, 2009 6:00 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: wear what YOU like

  2. The One Who Rocks... on July 17th, 2009 10:41 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: i have wore black with khakis…. it is ok…

  3. ? on July 19th, 2009 7:26 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: A black belt and Doc Martens will look great. They are perfectly acceptable for wearing with khakis. In fact they will look very nice. :)

  4. blackberetonawhitegirl on July 21st, 2009 5:26 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: I’ve been told black shoes shouldn’t be worn with khakis but if you’re wearing a black belt too, I don’t see the harm. Comfort is important and if you don’t feel the need to go out and buy brown shoes, then wear the black. You should be fine.

  5. The coolest person! on July 23rd, 2009 8:05 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: Yaah….
    Black lather shoes n belt r very gud dude..

  6. mommy81 on July 25th, 2009 11:59 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: Unless you were told not to wear black it will look fine.

  7. nhon_ma on July 27th, 2009 3:14 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: In this case, it is not about the color of your shoes but their ’style’.
    Doc Martens for example will not be OK;

  8. Lindsey D on July 28th, 2009 7:13 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: Who told you that? its a lie. Firstly, wear what you feel comfortabe wearing. Secondly, neutrals can always go with other neutrals (black, tan, white, gray, ect). No matter what neutral color, you can pair them together.

  9. Tiny Tine on July 31st, 2009 1:26 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: put a black belt on and your good!

  10. metal_bucket on August 1st, 2009 7:06 am

    Trade Shows Feedback: Doc Marten boots? You’d be best with shoes.

    If the khakis are very light in color (cream etc.), you should not wear black shoes, however if they are darker in tone (gray or darker), black shoes are fine.

  11. aaron.keenan on August 1st, 2009 8:56 am

    Trade Shows Feedback: If you are going to wear khakis Then you would have to wear some light shoes with it Like white shoes or cream or gray but sometimes you can wear black

    you know what they say black and white matches with everything.

  12. Juki on August 3rd, 2009 3:32 pm

    Trade Shows Feedback: If this is a “One Time” Thing, where know that you are only going to work this trade show this time, then fine, don’t buy new shoes.
    BUT, if this is something that you will be doing several times, then NO, the Black Shoes are not okay.
    This is trade show, and the fact that you have to wear a specific outfit means that they want you too look a certain way and present a certain image ( you are representing who evers business).
    I am more concerned with the fact that you are wearing Doc Martens than the actually color. The outfit you are wearing can be termed Business Casual and Doc Martens are too casual for that.
    I understand that you are going to be on your feet most of the day so comfort is key…..
    So if this is an ongoing thing, than get a brown belt and brown shoes. If you are on a budget, just go to Payless and get some brown shoes in the mens department ( No one is going to know were you got them from and you will only be wearing them for these types of events, so they will last ) and get a brown belt from Walmart ( can get shoes there too), it will cost you about $30 for both items ( probably even less than that)!

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