What shoes should you wear for smart casual?. Mens style fashion tips from THREADPEPPER.

What shoes should you wear for smart casual?

Smart casual dress code incorporates neat, fitted business attire with elements of casual wear. When deciding your smart casual outfit, it’s important to make sure you wear appropriate footwear. Shoes are an important aspect and can either dress up or dress down to create your smart casual outfit.

Perhaps an easier way to decide on footwear is to think about what bottoms you’re wearing. It’s all well choosing a brogue but if you’re wearing smart straight leg trousers, you’re playing too much into the smart side of smart casual.

 

So what shoes should you wear with certain trousers?

1. Say you’ve opted for a pair of chinos, there are a few options for footwear. Loafers are slip-on, laceless shoes that can work perfectly with chinos and a button-up shirt. Either black or navy velvet, or leather brown loafers are a great option. Just make sure your shirt stays tucked in and add a matching belt to keep with the polished appearance.

Walter Black Patent Loafer - Shoes - - THREADPEPPER

Suede boots are minimal shoes but stylish enough to add the element of cool to more professional attire. A muted colour such as tan or beige, with chinos and button shirt or polo to create suitable smart casual attire. 

Arizona Stone Boots - Sticky Sole Fault - Boots - 7 - THREADPEPPER


Lastly, trainers can be a great option to pair with chinos, it’s important to keep them plain and block colour. Just make sure to wear a blazer to make sure you incorporate the smart element.
2. Straight leg and cropped trousers bring the smart element to your outfit, it’s important to make sure you incorporate the casual. The majority of shoes are suitable for simple trousers and top outfits. A solid pair of brogues or derby shoes are great with neater trousers, with either a plain t-shirt or knitwear to accompany the smarter lower half.

3. Corduroys are a great option to soften a smart look, when paired with plain shirts and smarter shoes such as a brogue, derby, or oxford, to elevate the more casual look.

Brentwood Brogue Shoes - Shoes - Brown 7

4. Finally, jeans also have a lot of options footwear-wise (just try to avoid really skinny jeans). Boots either Chelsea, dress boots, or suede are great options for jeans, they are not only comfortable but create an effortlessly refined look. Lean towards more muted colours to help achieve a clean aesthetic.

Hector Leather Boots - Boots - Tan 7

There’s no reason why you can’t choose oxfords to style with jeans. Aim for either black or brown leather, material, and cleanliness matter, so make sure the shoes blend well with the smart casual attire.

What to wear in different seasons?

Weather also has a huge impact on what you wear. You’re not going to wear loafers at the peak of winter, so I feel like this section is rather self-explanatory. However, if you need help, when it comes to the warmer seasons aim for breathable shoes such as loafers. Pair the shoes with a t-shirt and cropped trousers, if it does get chilly a jumper will make a perfect addition to this combination. During the winter months, jeans or trousers with trainers or boots to keep in the warmth. Accompany the look with either a turtleneck or knitwear to keep it smart and an overcoat for additional layers and depth to the look.

In summary:

Hope this helps! At the end of the day, you’re free to wear whatever you want, just always think about the balance of smart and casual. You can check out our full range of footwear and find your perfect shoe. 

Back to blog
  • Are Jeans OK for Smart Casual?. Mens style fashion tips from THREADPEPPER.

    Are Jeans OK for Smart Casual?

    This is a question that comes up a lot, and there's often quite strong opinions on it. In one camp, jeans are everyday wear and the right jeans can be...

    Are Jeans OK for Smart Casual?

    This is a question that comes up a lot, and there's often quite strong opinions on it. In one camp, jeans are everyday wear and the right jeans can be...

  • A More Conscious Choice. Mens style fashion tips from THREADPEPPER.

    A More Conscious Choice

    It isn’t easy to tick all of these boxes and here at Threadpepper we hold our hands up to be the first to admit we aren’t perfect. Some of our...

    A More Conscious Choice

    It isn’t easy to tick all of these boxes and here at Threadpepper we hold our hands up to be the first to admit we aren’t perfect. Some of our...

  • How to Tie Your Scarf to Look Great and Keep Warm. Mens style fashion tips from THREADPEPPER.

    How to Tie Your Scarf to Look Great and Keep Warm

    Have you ever had a scarf that you really love, but have just felt that whenever you put it goes on it just looks wrong? There is such a wide...

    How to Tie Your Scarf to Look Great and Keep Warm

    Have you ever had a scarf that you really love, but have just felt that whenever you put it goes on it just looks wrong? There is such a wide...

  • 4 Ways to Wear a Scarf and Look Great This Winter. Mens style fashion tips from THREADPEPPER.

    4 Ways to Wear a Scarf and Look Great This Winter

    Scarves have been popular through the ages in many different forms; whether silk dress scarves of the 1800s or fine woven cloth from much earlier, or a robust knit for maximum...

    4 Ways to Wear a Scarf and Look Great This Winter

    Scarves have been popular through the ages in many different forms; whether silk dress scarves of the 1800s or fine woven cloth from much earlier, or a robust knit for maximum...

1 of 4

New this week