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Model Wearing Bruno Mark Winter Slip On Velvet Lined Boots
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Bruno Marc Review: I Tried Their Most Popular Styles

When it comes to style and comfort, do they walk the walk?

Will Porter
Expertise:

Style, Menswear, Outdoors, Fitness, Home

Featured in GQ, Men's Health, Gear Patrol, and more men's powerhouse publications---Will is a writer obsessed with finding the best tools for whatever life has in store. Whether that's the latest carbon wheelset for his mountain bike, the best new meditation app, or the simple luxury of a damn good oxford cloth button down shirt. This pursuit has led him to test products tirelessly, much to the chagrin of his partner who has to deal with his ever-rotating stable of running shoes. Read full bio.


Last Updated: Nov 26, 2024
9 min read

You need some new dress shoes, but you really don’t want to splash your hard earned cash on a pricey pair. Maybe you don’t wear them often, or you need something for a particular event. 

Could Bruno Marc be the answer for such occasions? I tried three pairs of their most popular styles of easy-to-wear dress shoes to see how they fare.

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Bruno Marc

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a pair of affordable dress shoes that will be stylish and professional enough at work (without spending $100s) and are comfortable right away, or if you know you’re rarely going to be wearing dress shoes but need to keep a pair at the ready, Bruno Marc is a great option.

Ratings: The Adult Man Image/Icon  Design The Adult Man Image/Icon  Quality of Materials The Adult Man Image/Icon  Value for Money The Adult Man Image/Icon  Craftsmanship The Adult Man Image/Icon  Customer Service
Pros:
  • Highly affordable
  • Come in a ton of versatile colors and styles
  • Styles vary from all-black oxfords to more trendy sneaker-soled dress shoes
Cons:
  • They offer more trendy options than there do timeless styles
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Here’s the truth. 

I can count the number of times I’ve worn dress shoes in the past five years on one hand.

And I’ve been to weddings. I’ve had business meetings. I’ve encountered the usual scenarios that might require a pair of dress shoes.

But the simple fact is this: dress shoes just aren’t required as often as they used to be. 

This, of course, can depend on your job and lifestyle, but the average guy just isn’t going to wear dress shoes all that frequently. 

This makes spending an arm and a leg on a pair all the more annoying. Why shell out the big bucks for something you’re only going to use monthly, quarterly, or yearly?

I found a potential solution in Bruno Marc, a brand that claims reasonably priced formal footwear can still look and feel great. I decided to put their bold claims to the test by trying out three of their most popular styles.

What Is Bruno Marc?

New Jersey-based Bruno Marc makes affordable dress shoes that are accessible to anyone. The brand has been committed to providing consumers with comfortable, quality, and fashionable shoes at reasonable prices.

Their mission is to assist every individual in discovering the perfect blend of comfort and style within their casual and business footwear. 

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Slip On Winter Boots on Sidewalk 800

They wanted to bring affordable, on-trend shoes to a market that isn’t always kind to guys’ wallets. 

Over the years, the brand has stuck to its guns, using those same guiding principles to develop a comprehensive lineup of men’s footwear that includes loafers, chukka boots, Chelsea boots, sneakers, and more.

Budget footwear definitely has a place, and Bruno Marc does a great job of helping guys figure out when and where to utilize them. They’ve even got a super handy blog full of styling tips and options for different outings.

Things to Consider Before Buying 

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Mesh Lightweight Midstep on Sidewalk
Taking my Bruno Marc Mesh Oxfords out for a test drive

If you’ll be wearing dress shoes daily, or even weekly, you might want to consider investing in something a bit more durable and well-built. Bruno Marc’s shoes are excellent for what they are and do the trick, but they will not be as comfortable or long-lasting as pairs from some of the bigger brands.

However, if you’re just going to wear them for a wedding, then jettison them to the back of your closet, or if you don’t usually wear dress shoes but want a pair to break out when required, a pair from Bruno Marc will be an excellent choice.

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With most pairs coming in at under $50, they’re a great value. Rarely will you find shoes that are actually remotely stylish and comfortable for that amount of cash.

But if you’re trying to get in and out at a reasonable price, these are for you. They’re also a solid option if you’re a guy who likes to mix up his style a lot. You can easily pick up a few pairs for the price of one more expensive pair, and next thing you know, you’ve got a rotation of shoes and styles that look good with any outfit you can throw together. 

Bruno Marc
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For easy-to-wear, affordable, well-fitting dress shoes, Bruno Marc is a solid pick. Their relaxed yet dressed-up styles prove that reasonably priced formal footwear can still look and feel great.

Oh, it's worth noting too that if you become a Bruno Marc member you can unlock exclusive rewards like a 20% Birthday discount, free shoes when you refer a friend, and more.

Shop Bruno Marc Become a Member

My Hands-On Review

Oxford Dress Sneakers

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Casual Oxford on Sidewalk 800

While I tried three of the brand’s bestsellers, the Oxford Dress Sneakers are probably the only ones I’d feel comfortable actually wearing with a suit or to a more formal event.

The shine on the upper adds a nice out-of-the-box feeling to go along with the classy wingtip brogue styling. The sneaker sole isn’t overly distracting if you are trying to wear these in a semi-formal situation, and they’re definitely comfortable from the get-go.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Classic Oxford Bottom 800

They come done up with a straight-bar lacing method, though I’d probably prefer to redo them in a criss cross method to better complement the laid-back sneaker style.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Casual Oxford From the Front 800
Wearing my Bruno Mark Oxford Dress Sneakers in black

The insole is plush and seems comfortable enough for all-day wear, but I don’t feel like they’d last very long if I was putting in daily, heavy wear.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Classic Oxford from the Back on Sidewalk 800

These also have the best-looking sole of the three pairs, in my opinion. The off-white color keeps them from feeling like full-on tennis shoes, and the bottoms feel just as grippy as the winter shoe soles, if not grippier.

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Bruno Marc Oxford Dress Sneaker
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These shoes are comfortable from the get-go, and the shine on the upper adds a nice out-of-the-box feeling to go along with the classy wingtip brogue styling. The sneaker sole isn’t overly distracting if you are trying to wear these in a semi-formal situation, making these a solid choice for the smarter side of smart casual outfits or more relaxed formal attire.

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Breathable Mesh Oxford Sneakers Grand-01

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Mesh Lightweight Midstep on Sidewalk 800

Of the three styles I tested, the Breathable Mesh Oxford sneakers are easily the most versatile. They look great with chinos and a button-down shirt but would also be easy to style with black, blue, or grey jeans.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Mesh Lightweight Walking 800

Depending on the overall look you’re going for, they could probably even be rocked with shorts in the summertime. 

The insoles are comfy, much like the other shoes I tested, but the shoe does feel a bit flimsy when you combine the plush insole with the lightweight mesh up top. Definitely do not wear these in the winter or when things get wet in any season.

They are breathable, indeed, but this means your toes could quickly go numb if temperatures start to drop and you’re stuck outside for any amount of time.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Mesh Lightweight Standing on Sidewalk 800

I went with the grey option, which is pretty basic but clean looking. The brown accents are nice, though, and prevent these from just looking like a pair of off-brand Yeezys or workout sneakers. I daresay you could lace them up for a quick game of 1-on-1, but don’t count on them lasting very long if you do that.

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Bruno Marc Breathable Mesh Oxford Sneakers

This sneaker is built for playing hard and working even harder. The mesh upper and minimal yet sporty sole provide relief without looking like a dorky mishmash of styles, and the lasting quality balances it out.

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Velvet-Lined Slip-On Winter Boots

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I’ve lived in New York for the past three winters, and as of a few months ago, I call Boise home. It’s safe to say I am a winter shoe pro, so I was excited to try the Bruno Marc Slip-on Boots.

I’m not one to venture out in improper footwear, especially if the weather has dealt me a bad hand, whether that means a dusting of snow, a steady downpour, or the black ice that appears after every winter flurry. 

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Velvet Slip on Bottom 800

Calling the Bruno Mark Velvet Lined Slip-ons “Winter Boots” is a bit of a misstep for me. There’s no way these would actually hold up to harsh winter weather. However, they do have a warmer lining than the other two shoes I tried.

The soles were no more stable or grippy than the other sneaker soles I tried, and the uppers and overall construction aren’t going to survive a walk in the rain or an accidental slushy puddle.

The Adult Man Bruno Marc Velvet Slip On From The Side 800
I tried the Bruno Marc Slip-on Winter Boots in grey

However, if you think of them as just boots instead of winter boots, they’re pretty good.

They do slip on very easily, much like the name would suggest. You don’t need to tie them, and the chukka look is always at least somewhat in style (though I might just go for a pair of Clarks instead).

The soles are comfy, just like the others, but if you’re looking for some actual winter boots to wear dressed up and dressed down, I wouldn’t choose the Bruno Marc Velvet Lined Slip-ons.

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Bruno Marc Velvet Lined Slip On Boots

The soft velvet lining makes these boots comfy and warm, and they slip on very easily, much like the name would suggest. You don’t need to tie them, and I love the versatility---the chukka look is always at least somewhat in style. They're a comfy boot with a slightly dressed-up aesthetic that looks smart but casual.

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What Do Other Reviewers Say?

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Much like what we’ve said, reviews seem to agree that Bruno Marc produces great shoes for someone who rarely needs a pair of dress shoes.

One Amazon reviewer gave them five stars, saying, “I waited until the last possible minute to order shoes to wear to my wedding, and these did not disappoint! Even through all the dancing and walking, they lasted all throughout the night. These shoes are extremely comfortable, and the fit is a little on the longer side (width is good). Overall these shoes look great and held up well!”

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Another reviewer, who gave them four stars, said, “If you’re looking for an affordable option when it comes to dress shoes, Bruno Marc might be for you. True to size and very comfortable out of the box.”

Overall, Bruno Marc has earned 4.4 stars on Amazon, with over 5,000 reviews. Those are some great stats.

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Bruno Marc Oxford Dress Sneaker
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These shoes are comfortable from the get-go, and the shine on the upper adds a nice out-of-the-box feeling to go along with the classy wingtip brogue styling. The sneaker sole isn’t overly distracting if you are trying to wear these in a semi-formal situation, making these a solid choice for the smarter side of smart casual outfits or more relaxed formal attire.

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My Thoughts Overall

What I Like

  • Out of the box, these shoes look more expensive than they really are and are actually quite comfortable.
  • The soles are plush but provide a solid base to walk on, and each of the three different uppers I tried seemed up to the task.
  • All three pairs look even better in person than they do online, which is saying a lot if you’ve had any experience shopping for budget fashion online.
  • The styles are also quite versatile, meaning I’d have no problem wearing them with a suit, with chinos, or even with jeans. The line between dress shoes and sneakers is very blurry, and these toe that line well, making them a great option for today’s smart-casual menswear landscape.

What I Don’t Like

  • The uppers on the faux leather shoes do feel a bit squeaky and plastic-y right out of the box and take a bit of wear to break in.
  • The shine seems nice at first glance but might not last, considering most leather shoes take a ton of upkeep if you want to maintain a shine.

Who Is Bruno Marc for?

Bruno Marc is perfect for the guy who needs a pair of dress shoes in his closet but doesn’t actually pull them out that often. If you’ve got an occasional meeting or conference that requires something dressy or want to spruce up your wedding wardrobe, these are a great bet. 

Also, if you like to keep things fresh and wear a different pair of shoes each day, these are an excellent pick. With most of the shoes hovering around $50, you can easily pick up two or three pairs and still save money when compared to standard dress shoe prices.

The Verdict

For easy-to-wear, affordable, well-fitting dress shoes, Bruno Marc is a solid pick. They won’t hold up over time the way a more expensive pair would, but that’s exactly it: these can be picked up for a great price and worn straight from the box. 

There’s no pesky break in period, so you don’t have to worry about wearing them a dozen times before they even truly start to fit.

20% Off with Code TAM20
Bruno Marc
(Get 20% off with Code TAM20)

For easy-to-wear, affordable, well-fitting dress shoes, Bruno Marc is a solid pick. Their relaxed yet dressed-up styles prove that reasonably priced formal footwear can still look and feel great.

Oh, it's worth noting too that if you become a Bruno Marc member you can unlock exclusive rewards like a 20% Birthday discount, free shoes when you refer a friend, and more.

Shop Bruno Marc Become a Member

FAQs

Do Bruno Marc shoes run big?

I tried three pairs of Bruno Marc shoes, and all of them ran true-to-size. I’m a 9 in just about every shoe I own, and the 9s fit me just fine, with both thick and thinner socks.

Is Bruno Marc a good brand?

For someone who just wants some shoes that can be beaten up on the dance floor and discarded without much thought, or only to wear on occasion, Bruno Marc is a good brand. 

They are a good way to test out different styles before you go all-in on a more expensive pair, and are comfortable right out of the box. The price point and quality of Bruno Marc’s shoes make them a great value.

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