- Brogue shoes are a sleek, lace-up style that has become a popular footwear choice for designers and celebs alike.
- Similar to boat shoes, Oxfords, derbies, and loafers, brogues can add a tomboyish style to any outfit they’re worn with.
It’s not just you—menswear has never been hotter than it is right now. From sharp suiting to oversized watches and tailored coats, fashion’s fixation on polish and precision is everywhere this season. And perhaps no better indicator of this gender fluid style approved by cool girls exists than the brogue: the sleek, lace-up shoe emerging as fall’s most essential footwear.
In many ways, the current obsession feels like fashion’s collective love letter to refinement, as evident on the fall/winter 2025 runways, where brogues appeared in collection after collection. Not only was the shoe prominently paired with the expected carefully tailored ensemble, but designers also experimented with combining it alongside playfully subversive elements, too.
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At Calvin Klein, gleaming black leather versions peeked out from beneath fluid trousers and longline skirts. Tory Burch paired polished lace-ups with pleated minis and boxy jackets, while Bally favored sturdier silhouettes to offset a vibrant floral dress. Even Victoria Beckham—known for its elegant and luxurious gowns—leaned into the shoe this season.
The brogue lives in harmony with its siblings and distant cousins: the boat shoe, Oxfords, derbies, and loafers. Differentiated by its perforations on the top of the shoe, it’s an indicator of corpcore continuing to rise.
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You might have noticed, but menswear this fall is all about reimagining precision and structure for the modern day. What secures the brogue’s status as the It shoe isn’t just its runway ubiquity, but its versatility off the catwalk. Blazer in the club? No thanks—I got my brogues!
Many a street style photo will let you in on the secret fashion insiders have known for years: you need a middle-ground shoe between heels and sneakers; one that can be worn with denim and a plain tee, paired with a slip dress, or even styled alongside wide-leg trousers. Opt for either classic lace-ups or statement versions in metallic finishes, exaggerated soles, and glossy patents.
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Although ballet flats and boots will always have their time and place in your lineup, a fall wardrobe won’t be complete without a pair of brogues this season. Luckily, its mighty roots in tradition ensure you’re not just lacing yourself up in another trendy fad but instead choosing a practical pick that has always had a spot in the zeitgeist.
