Best shoes for men in 2027: one of each that matters

The best shoes for men in 2027 are five types, one of each: a white leather sneaker, a slim retro trainer, a pair of loafers, a dark leather lace-up (a derby or an oxford) and a smart pair of sandals or slides. Together they cover work, church, weddings, funerals, weekends and the beach. Loafers are the shoe most men are missing, and 2027 is a good year to add a pair: they suit the relaxed suits, pleated trousers and linen that the forecasts point to, and they're cool in the heat.

This guide explains why each shoe made the list, what to look for, how to wear each one, what the 2027 trends mean for shoes, and how to build the five in the right order on a real budget.

What do the 2027 trends mean for men's shoes?

Shoes follow trousers, and trousers are changing. FashionUnited's spring/summer 2027 menswear forecast reports the return of the pleated trouser with a slight fullness, alongside relaxed tailoring. Fuller trousers look best over shoes with a lower, cleaner profile: loafers, slim trainers and sleek lace-ups.

The same forecasters expect a return to quality and longevity after years of overbuying. For shoes, that means fewer, better pairs that you look after, which is the idea behind this list.

On colour, cognac and chestnut browns are named as key for 2027. That makes brown leather loafers and brown suede trainers the two most "2027" pairs you can own.

Which shoe should I buy first?

A white leather sneaker, because it goes with the most outfits. If your work or your weekends involve a lot of formal events (a formal office, frequent funerals or weddings), buy the dark lace-up first instead. See how many pairs of shoes does a man really need?.

1. The white leather sneaker

The most useful shoe a man can own: jeans, chinos, shorts, a relaxed suit. Choose smooth leather (it wipes clean after harmattan dust), a slim or medium sole and little or no colour. See best white sneakers for 2027 and why every man needs white sneakers.

Wear it with: straight jeans and a tee; navy chinos and a knitted polo; a cream linen suit at a casual event.

2. The dark leather lace-up

Funerals, church events, weddings, interviews and formal offices in Ghana still call for proper leather shoes. Choose black or dark brown.

• Derby: open lacing, a little more relaxed and more comfortable for wider feet. The best single formal shoe for most men.
• Oxford: closed lacing, sleeker and more formal. Best if you wear suits often.

What to look for: a leather sole or a stitched rubber sole, smooth leather that takes polish, and a toe that's rounded rather than very pointed or square. See derbies, oxfords and loafers explained and how to polish leather shoes.

Wear it with: a navy or charcoal suit; dark trousers and a blazer; funeral black.

3. Loafers

Loafers are the shoe that fits 2027 best. They're smart without being stiff, they slip on and off, and you can wear them without visible socks in the heat. They suit linen suits, pleated trousers, chinos and even tailored shorts.

• Penny loafers: the classic, with a leather strap across the top.
• Tassel loafers: a little dressier.
• Suede loafers: relaxed, perfect for daytime weddings and dinners in the dry season.

Colour: brown (cognac, tan or chocolate) is the most useful and the most current. Black is smarter and better for evening.

Wear it with: cream pleated trousers and a knitted polo; a light linen suit at an outdoor wedding; navy chinos and an oxford shirt on Friday. See sneakers vs loafers.

Ghana note: wear no-show socks rather than going fully sockless, to stop sweat damaging the leather and to avoid odour.

4. The slim retro trainer

The sneaker shape that's growing for 2027: low, narrow, with a thin gum or white sole. It's the best weekend shoe with wide or pleated trousers. Choose suede in brown, cream or navy, or leather in white with one stripe. See sneaker trends 2027 and best sneakers for men in 2027.

5. Sandals or slides

For the beach, home and hot casual days. A leather sandal looks smarter than a rubber slide and works with linen shirts and shorts. Not for the office, weddings or formal events. See slides and sandals: when they are okay.

What about boots?

Optional in Ghana. A suede chukka looks good on harmattan evenings and at casual events, but it's a sixth pair, not one of the five. See Chelsea boots and chukkas in a hot climate.

Which shoes suit which occasion?

See 5 dress codes every man should understand.

How should each shoe fit?

Loafers are the hardest to fit because they rely on shape, not laces. If you're between sizes in a loafer, try the smaller one first. Trouser length matters as much as the shoe: a short break shows off loafers and slim trainers, while a long pile of fabric hides them.

See how trousers should fit and how to pick the right sneaker size.

What shoe mistakes do men make?

• Owning five sneakers and no formal shoes. The day of a funeral is not the day to shop.
• Wearing the same pair every day. Leather never dries out, and the pair wears out fast.
• Very pointed or square toes. Rounded toes stay in style far longer.
• Black shoes with everything. Brown looks better with navy, cream, olive and light grey.
• Socks that show with loafers. Use no-show socks in the heat.
• Skipping polish. Unpolished leather cracks; a ten-minute polish every few weeks prevents it.

How do I build the five on a budget?

Buy in order of use, spread over a year:

1. Month 1: white leather sneaker.
2. Month 2 or 3: dark lace-up (before the next wedding or funeral you'll need it for).
3. Month 4 to 6: loafers.
4. Later: slim trainer and sandals.

Spend more on the shoes you'll wear most and the ones that need to last (the lace-up and loafers); save on sandals. See what to splurge on vs what to save on.

How do I make five pairs last for years?

• Rotate. Leather needs a day to dry out after a hot day's wear.
• Use shoe trees or stuff with paper to keep the shape.
• Polish leather shoes every few weeks and brush suede after each wear.
• Clean after rain and dry in the shade, never in direct sun.
• Resole good lace-ups and loafers at a cobbler rather than replacing them.

See how to store sneakers properly and how to break in new shoes without blisters.

Questions

Do you sell all five types?

We sell sneakers now. Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon. See the shop.

What socks go with each?

No-show with loafers and sneakers in the heat; dark dress socks with lace-ups. See what socks to wear.

Which shoes go with a suit in 2027?

Lace-ups or loafers for formal events; clean leather sneakers for relaxed ones. See how to wear a suit with sneakers.

Black or brown for my first formal shoe?

Black if you'll wear it to funerals and formal events; dark brown if your events are mostly daytime and relaxed.

Are loafers okay for young men?

Yes. Loafers have become a young man's shoe again, especially with pleated trousers and knitwear.

What's the one shoe to skip?

Very pointed or square-toed formal shoes. A rounded toe stays in style much longer.