I was discussing some of my outfits with my 23-year-old daughter yesterday. She had noticed that when I wear this Black shirt w/ small white checked plaid and jeans, I always wear brown shoes. According to her, if I'm wearing a black shirt, then I need to wear black shoes. Yet, I find that wearing brown shoes can casually soften an outfit, especially if I'm wearing jeans and not slacks. However, if I wear the larger patterned grey-white-black plaid shirt, I will always put on black shoes. FYI: I have matching belts, and the medium-washed jeans are darker than the picture presents, too.