Vellies Colours: Black, Brown, Tan and When to Choose Each

Almost every vellie sold in South Africa is tan, brown or black, and the choice is less about taste than most people assume. Each colour does a specific job. Vellies colours really come down to three, and each one does a specific job.

Tan: the one to buy first

If you own one pair, make it tan. It goes with denim, khaki, olive, navy and most dresses, which covers most of what people actually wear. It is also the colour that improves most obviously with age, darkening at the flex points into something that looks earned.

The trade-off: tan shows water marks more than the others, and it is the least formal of the three.

Brown: the quiet all-rounder

Slightly smarter than tan, considerably more forgiving of scuffs, and the least demanding to look after. Mid brown sits comfortably in most offices and still works with jeans on a Saturday.

Brown is the sensible second pair, and for people who only wear dark trousers it is arguably the better first pair.

Black: for the offices that notice

Black is the only vellie colour that genuinely passes in a strict dress code. It reads as a shoe rather than as casual footwear, and it is the right choice if the pair is mainly for work.

Two honest drawbacks. Black shows dust badly, particularly in a dry Highveld winter. And black leather ages less interestingly than tan, because the patina that makes an old tan pair attractive is largely invisible on black.

How each ages

• Tan darkens unevenly, most at the creases. Considered a feature.
• Brown deepens gradually and hides its history.
• Black stays black and eventually looks tired rather than aged, which is why polishing matters more.

Which for what

One pair, mostly casual: tan. One pair, mixed work and weekend: brown. Mainly for a formal office: black. Two pairs: tan and black, which between them cover almost everything.

Where to look

All three run through the men’s and ladies ranges, with unisex vellies in between. The veldskoen page covers construction, which matters more than colour for how long a pair lasts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best colour for a first pair of vellies?

Tan. It works with the widest range of clothing and ages into something better looking rather than merely older.

Are black vellies formal enough for the office?

Black is the only vellie colour that reliably passes a strict dress code. Brown works in most South African offices, and suede or nubuck reads as casual regardless of colour.

Which vellie colour shows dirt least?

Mid brown. Tan shows water marks, black shows dust, and brown hides both better than either.

Do tan vellies get darker over time?

Yes, particularly at the flex points across the toe. Most people consider this the main attraction of tan leather.

Should my second pair be a different colour?

Tan and black together cover almost every situation, from weekends to a formal office, which makes them the most useful two-pair combination.