Which Type of Men’s Shoes Are Best for the Office? A Comprehensive Guide

Dressing up for the office is a tricky business as a little mismatched accessory or clothing item can compromise your professional look. Everyone wants to look perfectly decent and professional in office attire which can be done by choosing the right kind of clothes and accessories. Shoes are by far the most important after clothes in overall look because they help you move around the office all day. If you wear uncomfortable shoes then your entire day will get hard and your movement gets compromised. Along with comfort, shoes should be stylish, have a color that suits your office attire, and should have a professional appeal.

If you have any confusion as to which type of shoes are best for men to wear in the office then read this article through to the end. We will list the most popular and demanding shoe types for offices along with their specific characteristics that will have you choose yours’ as per your job requirement and personal preference.

Loafers

If you yearn for a comfortable pair of shoes then loafers are the way to go. Not only these are comfortable but they are easy to wear too as there are no laces to tie and you can simply slip on these shoes. Loafers are simple shoes free from buckles and laces so they are perfect office shoes for you if you prefer comfort and a simple design.

Loafers are available in a variety of materials like suede or leather. You can invest in good quality leather loafers with office attire to look professional yet classy. The only issue with loafers is that they lack in giving the utmost professional and serious look. Especially if you buy a pair in suede or other fabric material then it looks more casual than professional. Even though such shoes can pass for office day but they won’t fit in for an official meeting or annual dinner. For such official gatherings where you need to look perfectly professional, you will have to look for other shoe options.

Oxford Shoes

Oxford shoes are the ideal choice for office use. With their tight lacing and closed design, they exhibit a professional look. They look more than perfect with suits and even look great with dress pants and chinos. If you are yearning to look outclass at an annual meeting or an official meeting then Oxford shoes are the perfect fit for you. These shoes look better on people with thin feet but overall work well for all.

Oxford shoes are mostly available in leather material which makes them more classy, timeless, and desirable. Leather is an expensive material that offers an elegant and luxurious appeal to your overall professional look. Though Oxford shoes are expensive considering that leather is durable, the money is totally justified. The only issue you can come across with Oxford shoes is that they can make you look a bit overdressed on a casual office day.

Derby Shoes

Derby shoes are typically available in leather material and more or less look like Oxford shoes. The main difference between the two is that Oxford shoe has a closed lacing system whereas Derby shoes have an open lacing system. This open lacing makes these shoes more appealing as you can adjust the laces to offer a relaxed posture and comfort to your feet.

Derby shoes are desirable office-wear shoes that make you look utterly professional and classy. They can sometimes make you look too overdressed for a casual business environment. But the huge variety and design of Derby shoes got you covered for all days. All you need is to pick the right shoe as per your office environment. You can wear a leather shoe for a classic business day and a suede Derby shoe with elegant lacing for a casual day at work.

Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots are another good option for office use especially if comfort is your first preference. These boots are extremely comfortable with their slip-on design, round-toe area to offer enough room for toes, and elastic on the sides to offer added comfort. These shoes keep your feet relaxed and you can move around the office with great ease.

Chelsea boots look extremely stylish yet professional with office attire. You can carry on these shoes with formal pants, chinos, and even jeans. These are also great options for colder months. The only con of these shoes is that they look a bit more casual as they don’t look as classic in suits and extremely professional attire. So, if your official environment is a bit strict then think twice while buying these boots.

Brogues

Many people consider Brogues as party shoes but they look equally elegant in an official setup. Brogues are decent and elegant shoes with attractive perforations which can be of various kinds and shapes. These perforations give a unique and stylish look to the shoes. Wingtip and longwing brogues are the most preferred and famous designs. These shoes look great with formal pants and even chinos.

Though not entirely formal, these shoes still offer an elegant and classy appeal to your professional look. But if you want something too formal and too serious for your office look then you might want to go for some other shoe type.

Monk Strap Shoes

Available in sleek designs styled with a strap or buckle, Monk strap shoes look quite attractive with official attire. These shoes are great for those who don’t prefer to tie up laces as it offers a way out. The strap and buckle give a stylish touch to the shoes. The straps and buckles are styled in various ways to give a more stylish and attractive appeal to the shoes. You can buy shoes with double straps, side straps, and different designs of buckles.

A few buckle designs make the shoes less formal and the strap design can look way too stylish for a formal event. So, while buying a monk strap shoe make sure to buy a decent pair that suits your formal business environment.