Be the shoes you want to see in the boardroom.
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 2026, 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.
The Best Men's Business Casual Shoes, According to GQ
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.
Morjas
The Plain Toe Leather Derby Shoes
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.
Alden
All Weather Walker Black Alpine Grain 949
Alden has long had the business casual style set in something of a chokehold. That's because their shoes are tough as anything—which lends them a more casual energy—but the grace of the shape means there's not a bouncer (or boss) in the world who'd turn you away in them.
Crockett & Jones
Ashdown
Just because it's a casual day doesn't mean you don't deserve premium quality. That's what Crockett & Jones is known for, having hand-made their shoes in England for over 150 years.
Our Legacy
Uniform Parade Leather Derby Shoes
Our Legacy—not just great clothes! There are also these Alden lookalikes, at a not-quite-so-Alden 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.
Adidas
Stan Smith Shoes
If you’re going to go with a white tennis shoe, this is about the only fail-safe white tennis shoe.
Maison Margiela
Replica Leather and Suede Sneakers
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?
Reproduction of Found
Reproduction of Found German Military Trainers
All the style and subtlety of Margiela, but for a more… subtle price. It's still an investment, but the leather quality is right up there.
Nike
Killshot 2 Leather
Everything we love about Nike, just dressed up a touch in all the right ways. The iconic Killshot is so familiar, no-one could ever say it's out of place.
Read more: The best business casual sneakers for men
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.
R.M.Williams
Comfort Turnout Leather Chelsea Boots
The Gardeners are our favorite Chelsea boots. They’re formal, they’re farm-ready, they’re business casual.
Church's
Edworth 2.0 Lace-Up Full-Grain Leather Boots
Royals, rockstars, and basically anyone with money and taste in handcrafted footwear all gather at Church's. These rubber-soled boots, with a handsome round toe, might have you summoned in to see management—but only so they can get themselves a pair.
Blundstone
BL063 Boots
Blundstones? For a business event? We hear you—and the answer is yes. But specifically these Blundstones, from the brand's dress line, which are cut to a more formal shape without losing any of the boots' famous comfort.
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 Heritage Weejuns Penny 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.
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.
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.
Meermin
Softcalf Loafer
Brown leather is about as business casual as it gets—brown shows you're lettign your hair down, leather shows you haven't forgotten where you are.
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.