Need help picking style of new shoes/boots for business casual
Currently I do not have a good pair of shoes to wear with chinos. I’d like to find something that will work for either (A) business casual + formal (suit) or (B) business casual + casual (blue jeans). In other words, I want some versatility.
Me in current shoes with chinos (I wear these shoes with a suit but they are worn down and need replacing)
I have a lot of specific options picked out but need guidance on what style to select.
I’ve narrowed it down to:
- (A) business casual + formal (suit): brown oxfords, cap toe dress shoe, or derbies
- (B) business casual + casual (blue jeans): brown boots like these or these slightly taller ones
Not interested in Chelsea boots - I don’t think I could pull them off.
What style would you all recommend for the scenarios above?
- Budget: $200-$300 is preferred; $400 Max (I've found a lot that I like at Meermin and Allen Edmonds)
- Location: California
- Prefer shopping online
- Timescale: need in ~4 weeks or less
- Prefer to buy new
- 5’11”, 170lbs
I appreciate any guidance!
12 Replies
what is business casual or casual to you (beyond just pairing with chinos/jeans)?
of the options presented i think derbies would be my choice, but my particular choice in a vacuum is black loafers for all three
given how formality has eroded in recent years you could probably get away with derbies or loafers or even boots in most cases (see #waywt and #inspiration ); in all three cases i'd lean towards AE, though you can sometimes catch a deal with gh bass loafers or sebago
Thank you for your input. Also great question... I tend toward the less formal side. My "formal" is a matching suit pants/jacket, sometimes with a tie and sometimes without (usually no tie for a wedding, business dinner, etc.). Business casual is usually suede chukka boots, jeans or chinos, button-up short sleeve or long sleeve, usually untucked when wearing with jeans. Casual is basically chukka boots or Sperry boat shoes, blue jeans, and a short sleeve button up (no tuck).
I agree the loafers work for you in all three scenarios and they look great. For some reason I don't think I can pull it off though.
I will definitely monitor the other threads some more to get more inspiration before purchasing. Also curious, any particular reason why you would pick Derbies over Oxfords, of the styles I was looking at? Are Derbies more versatile?
I agree the loafers work for you in all three scenarios and they look great. For some reason I don't think I can pull it off though.
I will definitely monitor the other threads some more to get more inspiration before purchasing. Also curious, any particular reason why you would pick Derbies over Oxfords, of the styles I was looking at? Are Derbies more versatile?
imo yes, especially since the number of instances of someone being in a proper formal decrease post-pandemic for businesses, weddings, etc.
ironically enough i had the same start, by virtue of following the mfa guides for so long...as with many other things i took a leap of faith with a cheap pair of pennies and found they worked well to both "dress up" casual fits but also dress down more formal ones, especially when worn with white socks or other casual pieces
I think the socks are part of what scares me, haha. Just another factor to worry about but maybe I will work my way up to that. I'm sold on at least counting Oxfords out though, totally agree with you on that front.
imo derbies could easily slot into your existing wardrobe (derbies, chukkas and boat shoes all have open facing on their lacing, just different heights)
and that's not to say you can't have oxfords or shouldn't have additional shoes - honestly i'd get both a derby and loafer or another shoe as budget dictates - but if you're just going for one of the pictured offerings that (AE derby, maybe gh bass on sale) would be my pick
Not fully clear to me if you're looking for a single pair of shoes to cover both A and B situations or two different ones.
In case it's A+B, I would stretch a bit suit formality and go with a derby as well, maybe something with a chunkier line (think Alden 990, or better Paraboots models - or their alternatives that fit the budget)
If you want to go separately, for A cap toe oxford with some broguering (or plain/brogue derby) and chukka boot or cap toed boot for B (can find all of them in Meermin line up I think).
Yeah I need a replacement for the shoes I currently wear with a suit, so derbies fit in there. Honestly I like these boots a lot so I might go derbies and boots. Sort of doing an overhaul on all shoes and clothes right now so I'm willing to up the budget a bit.
Yeah sorry I wasn't clear on that. I'm willing to get two different pairs of shoes, one for A and one for B. Feeling pretty confident now about doing derby for A and a cap toe boot for B. Maybe I'll get the courage to try loafers or something else in a year or two.
Tassel loafers (but also pennies) would be very versatile for both situations, look great with suit pants as well as jeans in my opinion.
Still, I use very often boots+chinos/dress pants, for winter is a great country style :).
Yeah I didn't realize loafers were so versatile until now. Adding them to the list to try on later down the line for sure.
@zeometer and @Fmkb Thank you both for the guidance. Feeling much more confident now as I shop my options!