Going through life in the right shoes is tricky business. And the trickiest dress code in shoes is casual wear. smarter than smart casual, but less buttoned up than an all-out company, it is difficult to define. That could mean loosely tailored suits with white t-shirts underneath or a knit polo over stone-colored chinos. But all that hard work to nail the dress code upstairs can be undone by not choosing the best casual shoes for men.

“Casual work is that treacherous middle ground where you’re trying to do two things, smart but relaxed,” says Tim Little, owner and creative director of Grenson. “The best business casual shoes for men can be one of two things,” says Little. “A casual take on a business shoe or a smart take on a casual shoe. The first route, for example, could be a classic brogue but with a casual twist such as a chunky wedge or in a colorful suede While the second way could be a sneaker but in a luxury smart leather.

Here, we walk you through the best casual shoes for men, from chukka boots to precious loafers, so you’ll never be caught off guard again. work shoes Again.

In this article
  1. Our choices
  2. FAQs
Myrqvist

Myrqvist Rider Boots

Yes, before you say anything, we know it’s not a pure oxford boot, but what is so simple in life? This boot from Myqvist won the cake for its craftsmanship and versatility. Textured leather makes these casual shoes perfect for men, all seasons and all year round (harder to notice wear). They also come with Goodyear-welted soles, so you know you can put one foot in front of the other with confidence. Now for a brief history:

The Oxford boot is an extension of the straight lace shoe Richelieuthe boot is generally the same shape and design with limited stitching except on the toe cap and sometimes horizontally to the eyelets.

The Oxford boot however has the added benefit of having more leather to cover your ankles, making it a tougher alternative to wear in the winter months as well as a more casual outfit that can work with jeans when the Oxford shoe would look out of place.

“Perfectly versatile, the Oxford boot gives you the flexibility to dress more or less,” says Bhuller. “Look for heavy round toe shapes for an up-to-date style.” Pair with equally hardwearing wool trousers for the perfect combat armor in the freezing winter.

Amberjack Classic Derby

The Derby shoe is the more laid-back, laid-back cousin of that mainstay of business wear, the Oxford. It all comes down to the laceswith the space between the eyelets sewn shut in the ‘closed system’ on a pair of Oxfords, as they open when the laces are undone with the Derby.

A subtle difference, yes, but one that makes all the difference. You can soften the style further with a suede finish, but we recommend sticking to polished leather to keep it professional.

Oh what is it? Oh, did you notice the beautiful casual shoes from Ameberjack we’ve included? How kind of you. Beautiful leather at a reasonable price and comfort that rivals even the best trainers, it ticks all the boxes. Luckily for you (but maybe not for your colleagues), you’ll be dancing until the next meeting.

These shoes are also incredibly well rated, comfort and easy style are big ratings from happy customers – a bonus you can count on when ordering your first pair.

This men’s business casual shoe makes it a versatile shoe, so the most important thing is to match your colors, not your trouser style. Bright shades outside of the three neutrals will show up on black trousers, while brown versions will go well with chinos as long as one shade is darker than the other.

Penny Morjas Moccasins

It’s the favorite shoe of preppy style icon and Hollywood’s resident silver fox, Jeff Goldblum. The penny moccasin differs from the others strollers by the leather band that sits nicely on the front with a diamond cut detail.

“Penny loafers are all about fit,” says Little. “It should barely slip in the back when you walk, but it shouldn’t be too tight on the instep. If you’re not sure, walk away.

Enter, The Penny Loafer by Morjas, after 17 months of extensive research they believe they have cracked the code and we agree with them. The perfect fit with every step and Morjas’ signature Goodyear-welted soles to ensure every step is better than the last.

Leather versions are the perfect punctuation for tailored looks while suede should be reserved for spring and summer. For the latter, opt for a rich blue pair and wear your strollers alongside wide-leg linen trousers for a look that will make you the toast of the superyacht port.

Crown Northampton Desert Boots

The chukka boot took off when legendary style icon the Duke of Windsor wore a pair on a trip to the United States in 1924. Nearly a hundred years later, we’re still wearing the understated boot.

The main ingredients include three pieces of leather attached by two or three eyelets. Sometimes referred to interchangeably as the desert bootthe main difference between the two is the spongy crepe sole that comes with desert, but not all chukkas.

“Any boots like the chukka that reach ankle height are best worn with rolled up hems,” says Bhuller. Make the hem come an inch above the top of your chukka so that there is a clear, clean separation between the two.

Color and fabric make a big difference in where the boot lands on the dress code scale. The black buffed leather versions are distinctly official and will naturally work with dress pants while brown, suede options are more casual and pair well with a pair of mid-wash denim.

Oliver Cabell stockings 1

Sneakers have improved dramatically over the past decade and have slowly crept from the tennis court to the office. But just like you wouldn’t waltz to work like a walking billboard wearing big-logo sweatshirts, your sneakers should also be pretty understated.

Focus on printing with a quality leather finish and clean, simplistic silhouettes, says Jasmine Bhuller, Senior Assistant Buyer at Dunes London. “Look for tone-on-tone laces to enhance simplicity and softness, soft leathers with rubber soles for added comfort.

Despite their rise in dress codes, even the most minimalist sneakers lean towards the relaxed end of casual wear. Deviate from the tie, then, and wear them in a modern, relaxed take on tailoring with a white t-shirt or polo shirt replacing your shirt. If you’re looking to dress down more, a pair of minimalist mocha sneakers will do wonders when paired with stone-toned chinos.

George Cleverley Buckle Bracelet

Thank goodness it was the shoes we took from the monks and not the hard-to-remove hairstyle. Originally created as an adaptation of the sandal when holy men needed a closed toe to protect their toes during manual labor, the shoe has the casual nature of a slip-on with the pointed toe and leather polite that leans her towards the professional side of things.

Keep in mind that all monk straps are created equal. “Single loops are an understated choice,” notes Bhuller, “while double loops are more distinctive.” Go for a single clean strap if you have a formal gathering, leaving double for weddings and parties when you need to make more of a statement.

“Buckle shoes have the versatility to go from traditional to on-trend just by changing up your outfit,” says Bhuller. An integral part of the Peacock Pitti’s wardrobe, they work better with tailored looks than with jeans, where the dandy buckle and pointed toe can sometimes clash with relaxed denim.

Grenson Colin ankle boots

Supposedly because they found popularity among the well-heeled party scene that sprung up from the West London borough in the 1960s, Chelsea boots are the best business casual shoes for men.

“The best chelsea boots have a nice, soft curve from top to bottom,” says Little. “If it wrinkles heavily on the instep when you put it on, it hasn’t been blocked or preformed and is probably made from less expensive leather.”

Thin jeans that run into the curvature of the Chelsea boot will provide a smooth, unmatched silhouette that partly explains their unwavering popularity. Escape with subtle rocker vibes at the office by pairing your Chelsea boots with black skinny jeans and a white Buttoned Oxford Shirt.

Trickers Wingtip Oxfords

When it comes to different types of shoesfew styles show you are serious like a pair of brogues. You can spot a brogue by the ornamental patterns piercing and lining the leather of the shoe. Despite such overworked whimsy, the brogue is still a popular shoe in the office, perhaps due to its ability to grab attention while simultaneously keeping your look stylish.

Add a contrasting rubber sole and you’ve got comfort and just enough style for the modern workplace – a casual sneaker sitting on the desk, while the brogue on top does all the business.

Oxfords are most often seen in brown leather, so the perforations are more visible than they would be with black. These shades of brown look great with indigo denim, especially more decorative styles that reduce the formality of the shoe. Don’t try to stick them on black denim, it’s a minefield not worth navigating.

Below the knee, tailored pants and leather loafers
Morjas

FAQs

    • The modern office is a great place to wear comfortable shoes. The best smart casual shoes for men are penny loafers, suede derby shoes, Chelsea boots, buckle shoes, brogues, chukka boots, and minimalist sneakers.

      When you’ve just started a new job and been told the dress code is business casual, it’s better to be formal and more casual once you get an idea of ​​what your peers are wearing.

      • Yes and no. You can wear smart casual sneakers with casual shoes, but not the Nikes you wear to the gym. Look for sneakers that have dressy elements, like a leather or suede finish.