Brown balms for business casual?

[converge]

Are brown balmorals too dressy for business casual? By casual I mean, odd trousers, button-down shirts or sweaters, no suit jacket or tie. Specifically I'm looking at the AE Evanstons. Or would I be better off with a blutcher?

 

[Eustace Tilley]

I think they're fine (though bluchers and monks may be a tad better).

Btw, you may want to refer to them as 'bals' and not 'balms.' I thought you were talking about a medical preparation of some sort.

 

[DocHolliday]

Personally, I reserve bals mostly for suits. I think they can work OK with sportcoat and tie, but go more casual than that and the waters get murky. Bals might work with a slim, dressy pair of odd trou and a sweater, but not so much with a bulky pair of khakis. You really have to eyeball it.

I once saw a guy in odd trou, rolled-up shirtsleeves and a pair of light brown bals. Everything looked expensive and new, and it just seemed so odd, like he was trying very hard.

 

[EL72]

Bals only with suits. The only exception I make is wearing brown suede half-brogue bals with a sportcoat/blazer and tie. Never with anything more casual.

 

[GeorgePaul]

Originally Posted by converge

Are brown balmorals too dressy for business casual? By casual I mean, odd trousers, button-down shirts or sweaters, no suit jacket or tie. Specifically I'm looking at the AE Evanstons. Or would I be better off with a blutcher?
You can do it, but the Evanston cap-toe oxford is quite formal looking, even in brown. I think you would be better off with a blucher like the AE Delray.