Choose work shoes carefully when choosing footwear for your work wardrobe, and they could make all the difference in how others perceive you. A quality pair can give off an impression of elegance and sophistication.
Loafers may seem too casual for business casual environments, but with proper styling, they can make for the ideal mens office shoe for business casual settings. Loafers look great paired with trousers or chinos, and in winter, you could add a sports coat over them for added warmth.
Loafers
Loafers are one of the most comfortable office shoes for men, boasting sophisticated yet elegant designs. Ideal for any formal event and perfect with jeans or slim pants; they look equally great when worn with suits and sports coats!
Slip-on loafers are easy to wear and extremely sleek and stylish, boasting the slip-on feature for effortless slipper wear. There are various kinds of loafers with saddles or tassels adorning them that can make them casual; penny loafers, for instance, feature an additional piece of leather on their front for casual comfort compared to more formal options like tassel loafers.
If you prefer something more formal, then consider wearing Derby or Oxford shoes – they still qualify as dress shoes yet tend to be more relaxed than loafers and look fantastic when worn with suits. Brogues might also add some flair.
Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots provide a more casual alternative to ankle boots for semi-formal occasions and casual wear and add a sophisticated edge. They pair particularly well with suits, while some work dress codes require them as part of your ensemble.
Oxford Sneakers
Oxford mens office shoe was initially intended as men’s dress shoes; today, they’ve become an indispensable staple for work attire. You’ll recognise them by their concealed lacing system located under the upper section. Plus, they come with various toe styles like plain toe, wingtip and brogue styles for additional versatility and elegance in their work wardrobes.
Brogues feature decorative perforations in the toe cap in either a “W” or “M” pattern, making them slightly less formal than plain Oxford shoes and making them suitable for less formal events such as wearing them with jeans or chinos.
Barker Creative collection showcases an example of this style with their Berkeley wholecut oxford shoes crafted on the 125 last, featuring F-fitting paisley lasered calf leather with a closed lacing design, which means shoelace eyelets are attached underneath the vamp; in contrast to Derby shoes (or bluchers) which have eyelet tabs placed above.
Chukka Boots
The Chukka Boot is an attractive and adaptable ankle-height men’s shoe perfect for both casual and tailored attire. Laced to three eyelet holes on each shoe’s ankle-height soles, its thin soles, lack of linings, and thin laces are what define this style; suede or oil leather may even make up its construction for a casual look that goes well with jeans and T-shirt combo.
Although khakis can make for an elegant alternative to suit pants for social events, they often look out of place in more formal workplaces. When dressing professionally, it may be wiser to pair yours with suit pants instead.
Dark brown chukkas are probably the most versatile choice for mens office shoe, while grey ones also work. When wearing these boots with trousers of similar hue, avoid pairing them with trousers that match exactly. Doing this would cause them to look like regular dress shoes with their toes sticking out.
The perfect pair of footwear can make or break your work look. It can also be a major contributor to your comfort throughout the day. From socks and slippers to high-fashion dress shoes and luxury sneakers, we’ve got you covered with all the essentials for a sharp and polished office wardrobe.
When it comes to dressing for the office, you need shoes that will keep up with your busy schedule and professional style. A good quality pair of shoes will last you a long time with minimal care and can help you make a stellar impression on your coworkers and clients. We’ve assembled the best work shoes for men, including picks from style experts and top-rated consumer favourites from trusted brands.