Shop Men's Wingtip Shoes, Oxfords and Boots
Find the W-shaped toe cap and full brogue detailing in classic oxfords, two-tone spectators and wingtip boots. Every pair is handmade to order and Goodyear welted, so it can be resoled and worn for years.
What Makes a Wingtip
A wingtip is the most detailed of the classic dress shoes. It began as a country shoe, with perforations that let water drain from wet fields, and grew into a style men wear from the office to weddings. Look for these features:
- W-shaped toe cap: the cap points at the center and sweeps back along the sides like wings.
- Full broguing: decorative perforations follow every seam of the shoe.
- Medallion: a punched pattern on the toe that adds character.
- Longwing option: wings that wrap all the way to the heel for a more American, casual look.
Wingtip vs Brogue vs Cap Toe
Shoppers often mix these up. The rule is simple: the more decoration, the less formal the shoe.
| Wingtip (full brogue) | Semi-brogue | Plain cap toe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toe cap | W-shaped wing cap | Straight cap with broguing | Straight cap, plain |
| Broguing | Full, along every seam | Partial | None |
| Formality | Business casual to smart | Business | Business to formal |
| With suits | Textured and patterned suits | Most suits | All suits |
| With jeans | Excellent | Good | Can look stiff |
Want more perforated styles? Browse our men's brogues.
Wingtip Styles in This Collection
The same wingtip pattern changes character with color, leather and shape.
- Wingtip oxfords: closed lacing for suits, such as the mahogany wingtip oxford and navy blue wingtip oxford.
- Two-tone spectators: contrasting colors for summer and celebrations, like the tan and white spectator.
- Wingtip boots: full brogue detail on an ankle boot, such as the black wingtip boots.
- Exotic wingtips: textured leather for evening, like the green crocodile wingtip oxford.
Are Wingtips Too Casual for a Suit?
This is the question men ask most before buying. Style forums agree that wingtips are semi-formal, not casual. Use this guide:
- Great with: flannel, tweed, linen and patterned suits, and navy blazers.
- Good for: business casual offices, daytime weddings and dinners.
- Black wingtips: the dressiest choice for charcoal and navy suits.
- Skip for: black tie, funerals and very formal interviews.
Choosing Your Wingtip Color
Color decides how often you will wear a pair. Match it to your wardrobe.
| Color | Wear with | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Charcoal and navy suits | Formal office, evening |
| Brown and mahogany | Navy, grey, chinos, denim | Everyday, most versatile |
| Navy | Grey suits, light trousers | Smart and distinctive |
| Burgundy | Navy and grey suits | Business with personality |
| Two-tone spectator | Light suits, linen | Summer events, weddings |
Prefer a softer look? Try our camel suede wingtip oxford, or change any design through our made to order service.
Fit and Care for Wingtips
Wingtip oxfords have closed lacing, so a high instep can feel tight; choose a wider fit rather than a bigger size. The perforations also collect dust and polish, so care differs slightly from a plain shoe:
- Brush the broguing after every wear so dirt does not settle in the holes.
- Apply cream thinly with a small brush, and keep wax to the toe cap.
- Store on cedar shoe trees and rest each pair a day between wears.
FAQs
Are wingtips formal?
Wingtips are semi-formal. Traditionally, the more broguing a shoe has, the less formal it is, so a full brogue wingtip sits below a plain cap toe oxford. Wingtip oxfords still work with suits, especially flannel, tweed or patterned suits and business casual outfits. Black wingtips are the dressiest version. For black tie, funerals or very conservative interviews, choose a plain black cap toe or wholecut oxford instead.
Can you wear wingtips with jeans?
Yes, and it is one of the best ways to wear them. Brown, tan and two-tone wingtips look great with dark, slim denim and a button-down shirt, knit or sport coat. Wingtip boots are even easier with jeans. Black wingtips are harder to dress down, so keep them for darker denim and smarter tops. Avoid baggy or very distressed jeans, which clash with the detail of a full brogue.
What is the difference between a wingtip and a brogue?
Brogue describes the decorative perforations punched along the seams of a shoe. A wingtip is one type of brogue, also called a full brogue, with a toe cap shaped like a W whose wings run back along the sides. Semi-brogues have a straight toe cap with broguing, and quarter brogues have perforations only along the cap edge. So every wingtip is a brogue, but not every brogue is a wingtip.
What is a longwing shoe?
A longwing is a wingtip whose wings run all the way around the shoe to meet at the back of the heel, instead of stopping at the sides. It is a classic American style, usually made as a derby with open lacing, and it looks slightly more casual and sturdy than a standard wingtip oxford. Longwings pair well with chinos, flannel trousers and denim, and they suit a heavier, country inspired wardrobe.
Should my first wingtips be black or brown?
For most men, brown. Brown and mahogany wingtips work with navy, grey and earth-tone suits, odd trousers, chinos and denim, so they get worn far more often. Black wingtips are dressier but less versatile, since they suit charcoal and navy suits better than casual outfits. If your first pair must cover office and weekends, start with brown, then add black or a two-tone spectator later.
Looking for other styles too? Browse our full range of handmade men's shoes.