“My job calls for business casual attire, but I’m not sure exactly what that means.” At Florsheim we get this question all the time. As the name implies, business casual is not quite business professional but not truly casual either. Business casual lies in the gray area between the two. The key thing to remember is that business casual shoes for men is not casual. In most cases you can rule out worn jeans and canvas sneakers right away. The idea is to look like a professional but without having to wear a suit and tie. It is a lot like smart casual or what was once considered “Casual Friday” wear. Chinos or dress pants and a button-down dress shirt is the standard business casual uniform. A sport coat can be added but usually without a tie. If you have a closet full of suits, don’t throw them out, you can always wear one with an open collared shirt and a pair of more casual shoes.
If you’re about to start a new job where the dress code is business casual and you’re still unsure of what exactly that means, call the company in advance. Most HR departments are happy to share the dress code. If your information is still too vague, dress more formally than you think, especially if you’re in the first week or so of your new role. And in the meantime, observe your coworkers, they can help you figure out the boundaries with clothing and business casual shoes.
On the shoe front, the good news is that at Florsheim there is no shortage of business casual shoes for men that pair well with chinos and casual pants. Most oxfords are versatile choices. A dress boot always fits well with casual business attire. Or try something even more casual, but without going overboard, like a fashion sneaker or chelsea boot.