The only 4 dress shoes you need, according to this shoe company's CEO

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Regardless of whether you prefer monk straps to wingtips, or black to brown, or suede to leather, there are four types of dress shoes every professional should have in his arsenal. 

"Every guy should have a great pair of brown and black lace-up dress shoes to wear to work and formal events, a dress penny loafer or slip-on for business casual settings, and a wingtip or shoe with brogueing or perforations to show a little personality at work and on the weekends," Allen Edmonds CEO Paul Grangaard told Business Insider. 

"Rotating your shoes daily will help differentiate your attire and storing them in cedar shoe trees will help preserve shoes allowing them to dry and maintain shape."

If you had to narrow down — or build out — your selection to just four pairs of shoes, these are the styles you'll end up wearing over and over.

A pair for brown lace-ups for work

The Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford offers a classic, timeless look that's proven to exude success. It was the shoe of choice for Presidents Reagan, Clinton, and both George W. and H.W. Bush at their inaugurations. You can't get more professional than that.

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxfords, $395.

A pair of black lace-ups for formal events

Classic and understated is always best for formal events, be they weddings or important work engagements. These plain-toe oxfords are traditional and uncomplicated.

Allen Edmonds Carlyle Plain-Toe Oxfords, $395.

A pair of Penny loafers or slip-ons for business-casual settings

Leather loafers are classic choices for work. If you're down to try suede ones, the Sea Island loafer features butter-soft suede that repels water easily, making it one of the most comfortable and durable styles you can choose for spring and summer.

Allen Edmonds Lake Bluff Weave Dress Loafers, $395.