7 Business Casual Shoe Styles for Men

Ah, the business casual style. It’s a tricky one to navigate. You need to strike that perfect balance between professional and not too buttoned-up. Smart but relaxed. 

Part of the dress code that you need to figure out is your footwear. You’d be surprised to note that all the effort you put into getting your clothes right can easily be undone just by picking the wrong shoes. For example, a white tee with a navy blue blazer and tan chinos would look right at home in the office. But pair it with boat shoes or Espadrilles?

Here’s another picture. Dark wash, fitted jeans with no distressing would look business casual when paired with leather shoes. The same couldn’t be said if you wore tennis shoes. Just like with your clothes, sometimes the lines can get blurred on what can function as business casual shoes for men. 

If you’re looking for some guidance on how to choose shoes for a business casual setting, then you’ve come to the right place. This guide should help you define and determine which shoes you can wear to the office and which ones are for weekends and after-work parties. In addition, we list the best business casual shoe styles you can add to your closet based on your personal style.

What Are Business Casual Shoes

Before we get to the topic of choosing shoes, let’s first define (as much as we can!) what business casual shoes are. Experts define it as one of two things. It’s either a casual version of your formal/business shoes or a more formal/smarter version of your casual shoe. A good example of the former is the contrast sole brogue. One example of the latter is the minimalist sneaker (more on this later!).

Obviously, there is a wide range of shoe types that can fall under the work shoes category. But are there casual shoes that are simply a no-no when it comes to this kind of dress code? Yes, there are. Below is a list of footwear that you should avoid wearing if you don’t want to commit a fashion faux pas in the workplace:

• Sandals or flip-flops
• Boat shoes
• Espadrilles
• Athletic shoes
• Patent leather shoes

How to Choose Men's Business Casual Shoes

Of course, the list above is by no means definitive. As we’ve already mentioned, the line between business and casual can get blurry. To help you determine the level of formality a pair of business casual shoes has, here are some characteristics that you need to watch out for:

• Details & Perforation: the more details and perforation there is, the less "professional" it is.
• Multiple colors: the more colors present in the shoe, the more casual it is. This is true even if it's just the sole that has a different color.
• Sole: The chunkier the sole, the less formal it is.
• Color: the formal colors are black, brown, and burgundy. Darker shades are generally considered more formal than lighter shades.
• Leather: The more rugged the leather, the more casual it is. The shinier it is, the more formal the shoe.

Simple Rules for Choosing the Best Business Casual Shoes

Comfort: Always look for  comfortable shoes. It's even more important than shoe style. If your shoes hurt your feet, the less likely you're going to wear them. Plus, your discomfort will probably show on your face - not something you want people in the office to see.

Your shoes should  match your belt. This is a rule that should never be broken whether you're wearing a full suit or something casual.

Get two pairs of casual dress shoes, at the very least. One should be more formal while the other is more on the casual end of the spectrum. This allows you to switch between the two when your wardrobe requires it.

Pairing the right shoes to your outfit is not a science. It takes practice. To be on the safe side, get a pair of derbies, a style of men's business casual shoes that is incredibly versatile.

Best Business Casual Shoe Styles

The best business casual shoe styles depend on your work environment and your own style, but there are some great options to look stylish and professional.

Derby Shoes

Derby shoes are probably the most versatile of all dress shoes. It can be easily worn with a formal outfit but won't look off even when you  wear it with jeans. This is because the design of the Derby is both timeless and minimal. It has an open-lacing system that creates a more relaxed look compared to a pair of Oxfords. If you want to get a more casual style, look for one with a suede finish instead of polished leather.

Oxford Shoes

The Oxford is the most formal pair of business casual shoes that you can get. It's perfect for when you need to dress up a bit more, like when you're doing a presentation to the big boss or meeting a client. The main design characteristic of the Oxford is the closed-lacing construction which gives it a neat, formal appearance.

Take note that Oxfords can feature various styles. For example, you’ll find plain-toe leather pairs as well as pairs made of suede and featuring broguing.

Brogues

Brogues are much dressier than the Derbies, but more casual than Oxfords. These shoes feature decorative perforation, called broguing, or detailing on the toe and/or around the upper half of the shoe. This decoration makes the shoes more casual compared to plain dress shoes, but still look good when paired with a suit.

Chelsea Boots

While most people associate  boots with casual footwear, there are several styles that are suitable for the business casual dress code. One of these is the Chelsea boots. These are comfortable business casual shoes that end above the ankle. Chelsea boots feature a round toe and elastic side panels (no laces or buckle) that make it easy to slip on and off.

But, how do you wear Chelsea boots properly? When wearing these shoes, you need to pair them with pants that have been tailored to fit around the boots. They shouldn't pool over your ankle because that's just tacky.

Dress Boots

Compared to Chelsea boots, dress boots are more formal. They look a lot like  dress shoes. These shoes feature Oxford or derby construction and end above the ankle. They'll definitely provide you with more protection against the cold during the winter months compared to just dress shoes. These boots are suitable for pairing with suits, slacks, chinos, and even jeans.

Loafers

One of the most popular men's casual dress shoes is the loafer. But that doesn't mean it can't be worn with a business casual outfit. You can easily wear a pair of black or brown leather loafers with suit pants, slacks, and chinos.

These slip-on shoes can be very comfortable. Just don't forget to wear socks; exposing your bare ankles places your entire ensemble firmly on the casual side.

Chukka Boots

Chukka boots are another style of  ankle-high boots that can range from dressy to incredibly casual. These feature a round toe, two to five pairs of eyelets, and are typically made of leather or suede. The minimalist design gives it a more professional look while still adding an element of coolness.

Take note that desert boots are a type of Chukka boots, but they are generally not suitable for wearing to the office (unless your company has a casual dress code).

Monk Strap Shoes

Monk straps are slightly dressy but look perfect when worn with a business casual or smart casual outfit. This shoe style features a sophisticated design that makes it ideal for both the daily 9-5 and drinks after work. It's less decorative compared to brogues, and more formal than a pair of Derbies. The strap can be either  single or double buckle.

Dress Sneakers

Sneakers, in general, are very casual and inappropriate for a day at the office unless your company allows a casual dress code. However, there have been changes in their design that have smartened up the everyday sneaker. Minimalist sneakers are, by definition, characterized by a solid color, no decoration, and a simplistic clean silhouette.

In addition, these shoes are made of high-quality leather. While these shoes are rising in popularity, they still fall more on the casual side of the business-casual range. Make sure that this type of footwear is allowed by your company before deciding on adding it to your business casual wardrobe.

Mariam Simmons

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.