The Best Business Casual Shoes for Men 2025: What to Wear Right Now
GQ RecommendsBe the shoes you want to see in the boardroom.By John JannuzziJanuary 16, 2025Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.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 GuideAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronLaceups & DerbiesSneakersBootsLoafersBusiness Casual Shoes FAQBusiness Casual Laceups & DerbiesGenerally 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. MartensBlack 1461 Mono Derbys$140 $112 SSENSE$140 Dr. MartensEverything 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 BrowneLongwing Derbies$1,020 SSENSE$1,150 NordstromFew 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 BrothersPrinceton Derby$349 NordstromThe type of shoes Ivy League students would wear when their parents came to town, it’s no wonder they earned the ‘Princeton’ name.Allen EdmondsTrevor Plain-Toe Derby Shoe$425 Allen EdmondsPerhaps 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.ParabootVillandry Black Calf Leather Derby Shoe$660 Drake'sThe 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.BassWallace Lace-Up Shoe$225 NordstromG.H. Bass: Not just loafers! There are also these Paraboot lookalikes, at a not-so-Paraboot price.Business Casual SneakersSneakers 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$350 Lady White Co.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 MargielaReplica Low Top Sneaker$750 NordstromA 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?AdidasStan Smith Sneaker$100 NordstromIf you’re going to go with a white tennis shoe, this is about the only fail-safe white tennis shoe.NikeBlack LD-1000 Sneakers$110 SSENSEEverything we love about Nike, just dressed up in all the right ways. The Swoosh can hide this time.ConverseOff-White Chuck 70 Sneakers$85 $59 SSENSEThe 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.OnThe Roger Advantage Shoes$140 OnSure 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 a
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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.
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
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.
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
R.M.Williams
Gardener Whole-Cut Leather Chelsea Boots
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.
Sid Mashburn
Italian Penny Loafer
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.
