If you’re searching for shoes to complement business casual wear, there are various options available to you. Oxblood or burgundy Derby shoes offer just enough formality without being overly sophisticated.
Business casual shoes offer another great alternative when dressing down for formal events, as their comfortable design looks great with tailored pants or chinos.
Derby Shoes
Derby shoes offer the perfect balance between rugged and polished styles. Less formal than oxfords, derby shoes pair well with trousers and dress shirts – just be sure that both pair’s colours match!
Derby shoes make an excellent complement to casual suits. A dark brown pair of cap-toe derby shoes can add style to an otherwise plain light blue or pinstripe suit; alternatively, wingtip derby shoes add flair when worn with generic chinos or button-up shirts.
Derby shoes offer a more casual alternative to Oxford dress shoes with their open lacing system, ideal for wear with suits or casual trousers. Leather derby styles pair nicely with suits, while suede styles can also be worn casually with t-shirts and jeans.
Chukka Boots
These lace-up ankle boots make a stylish alternative to sneakers or dress shoes in warmer climates, pairing perfectly with jeans, trousers, or chinos for an on-trend smart casual look. Paired with jeans, trousers, or chinos, a light suede chukka with a texture polo shirt helps break up monotone looks; however, do avoid matching too closely in colour (e.g. sand coloured chukkas + khaki-coloured pants unbalanced look).
Chukkas can create an upscale look when worn with jeans and a blazer or topcoat when chosen in polished brown or black leather for this ensemble. Select an ensemble that features polished brown or black leather chukkas for optimal results.
Soldiers initially wore chukka boots in India before becoming fashion icons thanks to celebrity wearers such as Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen. Now widely worn across fashion industry menswear lines, the chukka can now be found both casually worn with jeans or as part of formal business casual shoes; opt for crepe rubber soles if going formal while choosing stacked leather soles for more informal occasions.
Loafers
Women’s loafers make an ideal business casual accessory. These backless shoes offer stylish comfort for long days at work or outdoor engagements. When selecting pairs in brown hues, these can complement various outfits more easily while maintaining the formality of business casual dress codes.
If you prefer something more formal than slip-on lace-less loafers, consider investing in oxblood or burgundy Derby shoes, as they provide a balanced option within business casual dress codes and pair well with many types of trousers and dresses.
If you’re confused about your business casual dress code, take some steps to clear up any uncertainty. First, contact HR directly, then observe what people wear to work and observe colleagues to get a sense of the dress code in your new office and the best shoe choice from there.
Wedges
Business casual attire requires footwear with great impact. When choosing your footwear for business casual events, shoes make a statement about who you are. Flats, heels, and boots all offer different levels of dressiness; heels can add height when worn as part of a business casual ensemble.
Sneakers can also make for great business casual shoes; however, they should be worn with fitted clothing so as not to dress down the look. Leather Chelsea boots may be better as they offer more formality than sneakers.
While wedge sandals may be considered more casual than pumps, they still make great additions to business casual occasions if chosen carefully. When searching for wedge sandals to wear for business casual events, choose ones in neutral hues with no eye-catching features such as lace or cutouts. Furthermore, choosing an ankle strapped heeled sandal will add polish to your look.
The most important piece of advice we have is to avoid shoes that are too casual for business casual attire but be careful not to go too formal, either. It’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed, and the right pair of dress shoes can make a big difference.