Your search for the best business casual shoes finishes here. This guide has everything from how to choose what to wear that you would need to know before buying business casual shoes. Are you confused about what to choose and how to pick? Which brand to go with? And which model you should choose, this guide will solve all your queries on business casual shoes.
Business casual has been the popular dress code and is rapidly emerging from the past two decades and thus you should know how to dress up nicely to mark an impact on other people. Shoes play a vital role in deciding the level of your personality. If you are wearing sports shoes with a suit, everyone will ignore you and it will create a very unpleasant first impression. Business or offices require different attire and surely different shoes.
In the ‘business casual shoes’ guide, we will talk about the need for business casual shoes, what not to wear, which brand to choose, perfect pickups, and which type of shoes will go according to the occasions.
Do you need business casual shoes?
If you are in a profession where jeans, trousers, or sneakers can work you probably need only 1-2 pair of business casual shoes for interviews, weddings, funerals, etc. but if you are in a workplace where the dress code is entirely formal then you probably need 3-4 pair of business casual shoes.
And at minimum, every guy must have at least one pair of business casual shoes that go with any formal attire and can be worn if you urgently need to attend a funeral or need to sit for an interview.
What not to wear?
Good attire is like a good umpire: it often gets unnoticed but it rarely makes mistakes. If you want to mark a good first impression in an office then never wear these kinds of shoes for a formal setting:
- sports shoes
- sandals
- espadrilles
- boat shoes
- patent-leather shoes
- velvet slippers
- flip flops
Here are the 8 best business casual shoes:-
1. Oxford Shoes
Oxford shoes are known for their formality level, as these are very used for a very formal setting and highly professional purposes. This type of business casual shoes goes with very formal events like any business meeting, funeral, or any sort of interview.
Oxford shoes have a Closed lacing construction, which is the defining characteristic of this type of shoes. The closed lacing structure in these oxford shoes is done by sewing the eyelets under the vamp, which gives the oxford shoes its very formal appearance for which it is known
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Apart from their formal look, OXFORD shoes can also work in any wedding ceremony, in case you are wearing a tuxedo. All Oxford shoes are not created the same, there are differences between every type of oxford shoes, like plain toe leather oxfords are different from cap toe suede oxfords. But if you are in a search for a good business casual shoes then almost any oxford shoe will work and is thus this type is considered as one of the best types when we talk about business casual shoes.
2. Derby Shoes
They are semi-formal shoes and are less formal when compared to OXFORDs. Derby shoes are also known as bluchers and their formality level ranges from business to casual.
They have an open lacing construction and unlike oxfords, bluchers’ eyelets are sewn on the top of the vamp, which leads to a slightly less streamlined shape from the front view which leans it toward casual shoe type.
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Derby shoes are more comfortable for people with high insteps, so if you find oxford shoes to be too constricting, then derby shoes are worth giving a try.
3. Brogues and wingtips shoes
They are decorative business casual shoes, formal but dressy. The decorative perforation on toe and/or throughout upper marks the defining characteristic of these shoes.
“Brogue” word usually describes the decoration and thus many oxford shoes are also considered brogues sometimes.
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Most of us prefer decorative shoes over plain shoes and thus to meet the demand, brogues were launched. Brogues and wingtips work nicely with business casual outfits.
Wingtips shoes have an extra piece of leather at the toe which gives it a classy casual look but the structure forms the ”W” shape over the upper which also gives it a formal look.
Since these shoes are decorated, they are a bit casual and thus can be worn during marriage occasions, any business meeting, or any sort of interview. They are one of the best picks for the best business casual shoes for men in 2020.
4. Loafers
Their formality level ranges from business to casual. They are not as formal at Oxfords but are somewhere in between. They are lace less shoes with slip. Loafers are not always casuals, as most of the men think. They picture loafer as a classic slip-on shoe that can be easily dressed up or down.
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Loafers can go with jeans, trousers, chinos at any time of the year. The classic thing loafers carry is that they can be worn with or without socks. You can wear them in any of your formal work or setting.
5. Dress boots
These shoes are less formal than a dress shoe. They can be worn with business casual or smart casual outfits but these shoes do not go with formal environments like a funeral or something. They are a mixture of oxford and derby but constructed as to go above ankle length.
These shoes are a great alternative to dress shoes worn during fall and winter.
Boots can be worn with jeans, trousers, chinos, and provide warmth and cover full ankle length. They can also go with suits and are thus considered the best business casual shoes for men.
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If you are wearing boots in a formal function then it is recommended to choose wisely, boots should go with the dress and should not be chunky or something shabby.
6. Monk Straps
They are dressy business casual shoes and can be worn with smart-casual outfits as well. Their significant feature is that they are lace less and they have single or double buckle straps.
Monk strap shoes have exploded in popularity over the past few years and now they are one of the prime choices of men for good business casual shoes.
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Many of us believe that monk straps are very formal, but they are a bit less formal when compared to Oxfords or derby. They are very versatile shoes and can be worn according to the needs like any casual event on any semi-casual event. If you want to stand out from the crowd and get some attention then this type of business casual shoes will work for you. Wearing the sleek polished double monk shoes to work will definitely get you good compliments as reviewed by our trusted sources.
7. Chelsea boots
Chelsea boots formality level ranges from dressy to casual depending on the silhouette, material, and details. They are a bit inappropriate for formal environments.
They are of ankle length and often come without laces. They have an elastic side panel.
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Chelsea boots comes in many shapes and sizes and thus is marking a new trend in business casual shoes. The elastic side panel and lace less construction makes them a practical choice. Chelsea boots can be worn with jeans, trousers and even with suits but just make sure that they have a sleek silhouette and shoes are perfectly polished. If perfectly chosen and worn they have potential to become best business casual shoes in your collection.
8. Chukka boots
The formality level ranges from dressy to casual depending upon the material and silhouette chosen. They are also a bit appropriate for very formal environments like a funeral or something.
They are of ankle height, open lace structure with 2-4 pairs of eyelets. Some of the chukka boots are too casual for office attire but if chosen wisely they can be the best business casual shoes for any working guy.
They are typically made up of leather or suede. They can go with dressy jeans, trousers or even with a suit. They generally have a classy casual look.
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Chukka Boots are all in one shoes, you can wear them for any occasion if you have the skills of paring accessories well. They can go up with any dress attire and are thus perfect normal week days shoes for office or any business. They can be used for casual settings as well.
How many pair of business casual shoes do you need?
Many of us are confused about how many pair of shoes should you buy to avoid frequent repetition of the same formal shoes. So, here is the detailed discussion on what is the perfect number pair of business casual shoes you should have and will need. Let’s build a likely scenario:-
- Monday:- staff meeting, Calls, interplay with boss.
- Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday:- daily office hours, no such big meetings.
- Friday:- excitement for the weekend, casual Friday, happy time after work.
So, the magic number is 3 if your week goes like this.
- Monday:- you will wear your oxfords or loafers and out up a suit or jacket of your body measurements.
- Tuesday to Thursday:- Your shoe will revolve in between derby and brogues depending upon your outfit and schedule.
- Friday:- Friday, the closing day you week must be with some classy trendy look. So, Chelsea boots will work if you are wearing jeans and a formal sweatshirt or a shirt. This will give you are casual look and will match your excitement for the upcoming weekend.
Conclusion
Good shoes take you to good places. Make sure you always wear the best shoes you have that are perfectly clean and polished. Use the information wisely and carefully decide which pair of business casual shoes you need. Go through your current shoe collection and decide if you need a new pair or not. You always need a new pair though!
Always remember shoes are the first thing that people notice in your attire so choose the best business casual shoes wisely and don’t be smug for saving money. It’s worth it!
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Image source: The Modest Man