Mastering business casual is easier said than done. Even though we’ve run through the basics of what the (at times infuriating) term means in 2025, things go much deeper. So deep in fact, that we’re starting at the bottom, where thankfully, the best business casual shoes for men are nothing less than a blessing in disguise: A happy medium between the full-on dress shoes gathering dust in the back of your closet and the tattered sneakers piled precariously by your front door.
Truth be told, business casual shoes also curb some of our worst impulses when it comes to footwear. For example, dress shoes are generally fine, but comically oversized lug soles are best avoided. The same goes for sneakers: Minimalist kicks are typically good, but bright colors and big logos? Better not. Below, we’ve gathered the best of every conceivable shoe category. Our favorite thing is that whichever you choose, you’ll get tons of mileage in them outside of the office too. Lots of bang for that buck you work so hard for.
For more inspo for your 9-to-5, be sure to check out the Office Style Shop, our first-ever shoppable guide to workplace style, jam-packed with wardrobe stalwarts painstakingly curated by the GQ Recommends squad.
In This Shopping Guide
Business Casual Laceups & Derbies
Generally speaking, these are your safest bet when it comes to the business side of business casual. Black and brown lace-ups will blend in perfectly when you find yourself wearing a suit, but these pairs in particular are just as at home with jeans and chinos. Many of the below are commonly seen around GQ towers, too.
Dr. Martens
Black 1461 Mono Derbys
Everything about these shoes scream business casual. The black uppers, black laces and just-right black soles are the perfect monotone package to help you climb the corporate ladder (without sacrificing your dignity on LinkedIn). But like all pairs of Docs, there’s still a laid-back, punkish edge to them. And they’re hella comfortable.
Thom Browne
Longwing Derbies
Few designers convey “I’ve made it,” quite like wearing Thom Browne. These derbies boast all of his hallmarks, with classic brogue detailing, beautifully textured leather and, of course, that tricolor pull-loop.
Brooks Brothers
Princeton Derby
The type of shoes Ivy League students would wear when their parents came to town, it’s no wonder they earned the ‘Princeton’ name.
Allen Edmonds
Trevor Plain-Toe Derby Shoe
Perhaps the most businessy of these picks, these could even stretch to being appropriate for a formal wedding. And of course, the more formal you go down below, the more liberties you can take higher up.
Paraboot
Villandry Black Calf Leather Derby Shoe
The Villandry is the mid-point between Paraboot’s iconic Michael and Chambord shoes, just like business casual is the mid-point between… you get the gist.
G.H.Bass
Wallace Lace-Up Shoe
G.H. Bass: Not just loafers! There are also these Paraboot lookalikes, at a not-so-Paraboot price.
Business Casual Sneakers
Sneakers have become increasingly common around the office over the last decade, but before you even think about buying these, do make sure you’re confident that your business is okay with something this… casual. If the answer’s yes, lucky you! Because the below business-ready sneakers are simply some of the best sneakers, period. Just be careful not to scuff them up too much.
Lady White Co.
British Military Trainer
Lady White Co.’s ongoing collaboration with Reproduction of Found recently yielded these grown-up trainers—a sporty silhouette that, thanks to the black suede, somehow comes across as formal too.
Maison Margiela
Replica Low Top Sneaker
A staple of sneaker culture and an absolute grail in quality leather. When they likely cost more than your boss’ suit, do they even still count as sneakers?
Adidas
Stan Smith Sneaker
If you’re going to go with a white tennis shoe, this is about the only fail-safe white tennis shoe.
Nike
Black LD-1000 Sneakers
Everything we love about Nike, just dressed up in all the right ways. The Swoosh can hide this time.
Converse
Off-White Chuck 70 Sneakers
The trick classics like these play is that they’re so iconic, no-one will realize you’re wearing a canvas shoe with a plush sneaker sole to work. Just promise us you won’t go with a pop color or a print here. Keep it neutral, keep it natural.
On
The Roger Advantage Shoes
Sure to earn head-nods in Aspen and the cafeteria alike: The Federer seal of approval goes a long way, and On’s comfort credentials are already proven.
Business Casual Boots
Let’s not get confused here people, when we say “business casual boots,” we mean understated and sophisticated. Banish any visions of heavy duty soles or rubberized weather-proof materials. Also, adventuring with boots requires keeping the rest of your styling on the conservative side — and always resist any urges to tuck in your pant hems. You’re a very serious businessman, not a rodeo clown.
George Cleverley
Taron II Pebble-Grain Leather Derby Boots
Royals, rockstars, and basically anyone with money and taste in handcrafted footwear all gather at George Cleverley. These storm-welted boots, with a handsome Derby toe, might have you summoned in to see management—but only so they can get themselves a pair.
R.M.Williams
Gardener Whole-Cut Leather Chelsea Boots
The Gardeners are our favorite Chelsea boots. They’re formal, they’re farm-ready, they’re business casual.
Tecovas
The Earl
For cowboys who traded pastures for paychecks.
Alden
Suede Indy Boot
The Indy’s been a business casual classic since well before the #menswear boom of the 2010s. But it dominated that decade too, because it’s that good with chinos, and even better with chinos.
Read more: The best dress boots for men
Business Casual Loafers
Ah, the loafer. If the gods didn’t wear sandals, we swear they’d wear loafers. Though these come packed with tradition, don’t let that turn you off — there are enough variations out there to let you show your personality with ease. And again, you’ll be able to wear these far beyond any conference room in sight, whether you go with a streamlined pair or a throwback style. All you’ll need are some white socks and blue jeans.
G.H.Bass
Larson Weejun Loafer
These are about as straightforward as they come, and that’s exactly why they work, and why G.H. Bass has become a household name (in loafer-loving households). It may even be worth picking them up in two colors.
Blackstock & Weber
The Ellis Penny Loafer
The armoured tank of loafers, no-one does texture, or balances uppers to soles, quite like Blackstock & Weber.
Our Legacy
Leather Loafers
Ok, so you work at a cool office, but it’s still an up and at ‘em Monday. Our Legacy’s loafer has just the right mix of sheen and playfulness.
Buck Mason
Sanders Leather Whole-Cut Loafer
Buck Mason: Not just for weekends. These streamlined loafers are more like slippers, but to a boss just walking by, they’ll pass as wholecut Oxfords.
Sid Mashburn
Italian Penny Loafer
Sid Mashburn himself is known to wear these pretty much every day of the year. And given that he’s only ever wearing suit pants or jeans, that’s all the proof you need that these can go just about every direction. There’s even a stealthy rubber sole hidden under there.
Morjas
The Belgian
Finally, this round-up takes its final bow with a bowless Belgian. If you want to wear a loafer, but don’t want to be too casual in suede, too shiny in flat black leather, or too rogue in slippers, the pebbled Belgian is your answer.
Read more: The best loafers for men
Business Casual Shoes FAQs
What colors should I consider for business casual shoes?
Like all things business casual, this is all a matter of angles. Think about your workplace and the general vibe. If an electric pink brogue would be a historical first among your ranks, let somebody else blaze that trail. You will always be safe in a shade of brown or black, so start there. If you’re confident you can push the boundaries a bit, feel free to throw a nice white sneaker or chocolate suede in the mix.
What materials should I avoid?
If you look at your shoes and there is nothing “business” about them, you’re probably staring at a material you should avoid. If they’re the kind of shoes you could wear to the beach, you’re definitely looking at a material you should avoid. To sum it up: Steer clear of most canvases and linens, both of which dirty too quickly and read as casual or leisure. We’d also advise against experimenting with any graphic patterns or giant logos.
What makes a shoe “business casual”?
Oh man, we could write a book on this. And we sort of have up above. But we’ll boil it down for now: a business casual shoe is at home at the office as it is a company picnic at the park Generally, business casual shoes should be in a material that reads business: a leather or a suede. (Sneakers can get a little leeway here.) Second, they can draw attention, but for the right reasons — keep them in neutral colors. And lastly, they should never have eye-catching logos.
Connie Alvarez is a writer for the In Group Press news site for over three years now.
My areas of expertise include politics, health, business, and finance. My hobbies include hiking and reading.
