Business casual shoes advice

[opi398]

Looking at buying some new shoes for the everyday and work. Loving the knitted oxford look. Quite a few I like but what does everyone think of these?

 

[dieworkwear]

Personally not into them.

What about a casual leather shoe, like a derby? You can do an apron toe if you feel a plain toe is too boring.

 

[johng70]

I would not classify those as business casual - they are full on casual.

 

[opi398]

ok well that was helpful

 

[Panama]

That's not a great photo but it doesn't look like a knitted OXFORD to me..

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Looking at buying some new shoes for the everyday and work. Loving the knitted oxford look. Quite a few I like but what does everyone think of these?

those are sneakers. Call them knitted oxfords if you like but they’re still sneakers.

 

[bicycleradical]

I would not describe those as business casual. A pair of derbies or loafers are more appropriate.

 

[Mr Tickle]

I just got these new chukka boots. Being suede I think they would be classified as casual but for me they are on the dressy side of casual, I wouldn't be putting them on to go to the shops or do the school run (the definition of casual these days) but would happily wear them for a business meeting (when we are allowed to have them again) or a meal at a nice restaurant - possibly even a wedding. They have leather soles so that makes them a bit smarter that other suede chukkas in shoe box.

 

[breakaway01]

I just got these new chukka boots. Being suede I think they would be classified as casual but for me they are on the dressy side of casual, I wouldn't be putting them on to go to the shops or do the school run (the definition of casual these days) but would happily wear them for a business meeting (when we are allowed to have them again) or a meal at a nice restaurant - possibly even a wedding. They have leather soles so that makes them a bit smarter that other suede chukkas in shoe box.

View attachment 1580805

Disagree about your assessment that these are on the "dressy side of casual". The rounded toe makes these a firmly casual boot for me. I would have no problem wearing them to the grocery store, for example. I wouldn't wear these with a suit and I certainly wouldn't wear them to a wedding unless it was very casual. Possibly with a more informal sportcoat/tie.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I just got these new chukka boots. Being suede I think they would be classified as casual but for me they are on the dressy side of casual, I wouldn't be putting them on to go to the shops or do the school run (the definition of casual these days) but would happily wear them for a business meeting (when we are allowed to have them again) or a meal at a nice restaurant - possibly even a wedding. They have leather soles so that makes them a bit smarter that other suede chukkas in shoe box.

View attachment 1580805

short of being worn with formal business wear, that’s about as versatile a footwear option as you’ll find.

they are definitely casual, but there’s nothing wrong with that. For most of us, it’s probably how we dress 90% of the time.

 

[Mr Tickle]

I think the reason I'd hesitate to put them on for food shopping or something very casual is that I wouldn't want to scuff them as the suede is so smooth and - nice (an adjective I try to avoid as it's so bland, but in this case it's the best word I can find to describe them).
I have another pair that are almost identical but a lighter brown and from a slightly cheaper brand (Alfred Sargent) that I would wear without hesitation for grocery shopping. These ones I'd wear for a trip to John Lewis with my wife then a spot of lunch. But for Tesco I generally just wear my trainers that I don't even have to lace up.
The personal relationships I build up with each pair of shoes I own is , even down to my battered steel toecaps for when I occasionally have to visit building sites, is one of my favourite things about putting thought into footwear. Rather than just being a "smart shoes for work, trainers for everything else" type of person as I was up till about the age of 30.
Still not into loafers or full brogues. To me, they just have a connotation of "try hard" that I only feel comfortable expressing outwardly in formal situations, which of course they aren't suitable for. I expect I'll get there though.

 

[breakaway01]

Suede is more durable than you may think—certainly more so than calfskin.

 

[johng70]

Suede is more durable than you may think—certainly more so than calfskin.

Yes. Just get a suede brush and you'll be fine. Very low maintenance and durable