The comfort that comes with wearing sneakers is the main reason people entertain the thought of wearing them to work. This is particularly true for those whose work attire isn’t restricted to a suit, a pair of corporate or business shoes, and a tie. Being blessed with this freedom does not in any way warrant taking it for granted because it is of utmost importance that you are well presented in your place of work – whether you’ve been working there for years or you’re starting a new job. If your appearance makes you look like you’ve been sleeping under the bridge, no one will take you seriously, let alone do business with you.
Appearance is one of the best ways to express yourself in whatever space (private or public) you find yourself in. If you’ve been wondering how you can showcase your taste in style and personality through your work outfits by wearing a pair of business casual sneakers to your place of work, then this article is for you. We’ve curated a list of the best 10 business casual sneakers you must try. We’ve also added some much-needed tips on how you can wear them properly because it would be a cardinal sin if rocked poorly.
Sneakers to Work? 10 Business Casual Sneakers You Must Try Right Now
Leather-dressed shoes will always be of relevance when it comes to footwear. However, they shouldn’t always be your only option. Why not go for a more comfortable and daring option, like a pair of sneakers? Below you will find 10 of the best business casual sneakers you can rock at your place of work.
Adidas (Stan Smith)
The Adidas Stan Smith first made its debut in 1971 and has made its way into the shoe rags of many style-conscious workers. It is commonly worn by tennis players and inspired the popular white sneaker trend we have today. Being a basic white tennis shoe with simple aesthetics has not stopped it from being a great choice that can be worn anytime and under different circumstances. Although the Adidas Stan Smith comes in different colors – the upper body, heel, and outsole, we recommend settling for an overall white with a certain color on the heel. It should be kept spotless if it’s to be worn to your place of work, just as it should be with other white business casual sneakers. From jeans to cargo and chino pants, the Adidas Stan Smith goes with almost any outfit.
It features a flat 100% rubber sole, 100% polyester lining, and 100% leather outer. It is averagely priced at $130.
Alexander McQueen (The Oversized Low-top)
The Alexander McQueen (oversized low-top), fondly called AMQ, is similar to the Adidas Stan Smith and, as such, is often recognized as its younger brother. It is the modern-day Stan Smith, but luxurious, bigger, and better in every sense. It has quite an impressive size, and being luxurious has, in turn, made it not for the faint-hearted. While the Adidas Stan Smith will get you into the room, the Alexander McQueen will make you stand out, look sharper, and be more expensive. You wouldn’t want to appear solid and heavy in an ugly way while at work. These business casual sneakers are best worn with cropped casual suit pants and a neutral-colored shirt with buttons. Make sure you own a closet that complements the designer aesthetics of the Alexander McQueen oversized low-top sneaker before purchasing a pair.
The AMQ is originally made in Italy and features a chunky rubber sole, round toe, 100% leather and fabric lining, 100% calf leather outer, and 100% rubber sole. It is averagely priced at $780.
Common Projects Achilles
These business casual sneakers were once at the forefront of the ‘dress sneaker’ trend. It also made minimalism a style in the footwear market. The Common Projects Achilles is a simple shoe that has stood the test of time and has continued to be of relevance even to the present day. For a worker who wishes to impress through his or her work attire, the Common Project Achilles is a good choice. Its gold-plated code by the side makes it unique and gives a sense of royalty. Depending on your sense of style, this sneaker could either look good or bad on you. Both casual and corporate outfits go with this type of sneaker. However, it is best worn with a white button-down shirt, suit pants, and a hoodie and fitted grey sweatpants. The fact that one can stylishly wear them and still look professional makes it a great choice.
The Common Project Achilles is originally made in Italy and features a branded insole, a gold-plated logo by the side, a matte finish, a 100% rubber sole, 100% leather outer, and 100% lining. It is averagely priced at $490.
Maison Margiela (the replica)
Just as it is with outstanding shoe brands, the Maison Margiela Replica sneaker also seized the stage and found its trend when it was first introduced in 1998. It has features similar to the GAT (German Army Trainer shoe), which was introduced in the 1970s and, as such, is often called the Maison Margiela GAT – the replica of the German Army Trainer sneakers. Introduced by Maison Margiela, the replica was displayed in all his fashion shows in the 1990s, just after the shoe made its way into the army stores in 1989. As of then, the walls of Berlin had just fallen. Fast forward to the present day, Maison Margiela remains relevant even to the most fashionable people. It is also as good-looking as its history. A pair of denim jeans or cargo is a great match for The Replica. It is among the best business casual sneakers you can wear to your place of work.
Originally made in Italy, it features suede panels, a round toe, 100% leather lining, 100% leather outer, and 100% rubber sole. It is averagely priced at $594.
The All-Star ’70 High Top
The All-Star ’70 High Top is the revised edition of the 1970s Chuck Taylor sneaker. This edition still maintains the vintage details of its predecessor. However, its sidewalls are slightly higher and include stitches, and the upper is of a heavier-grade canvas. The difference is clear when you put the Chuck ’70 alongside the current All-Star ’70 High Top; the latter is a more premium sneaker. The distinctive features between these two are what make the difference between an outfit that is best kept for the weekend and an acceptable office attire. The design of the All-Star ’70 High Top cannot be missed, as it is commonly worn by musicians, artists, and regular people from different parts of the world. It is best worn with a bowling shirt or a nice polo and selvage denim jeans to complement the vintage vibes that come with wearing these business casual sneakers.
The All-Star ’70 High Top features OrthoLite cushioning and organic cotton canvas. It also has 100% canvas outer and lining and 100% Rubber sole.
The Rockrunner (Valentino Garavani)
Although the camo design on the body of the rock runner changes from time to time, it remains one of the most recognized sneakers today – an unofficial signature at Valentino Garavani. Due to its colorful accents and camouflage print, the rockrunner is best worn with black or shades of grey that won’t compete, giving way for this brilliant pair of sneakers to represent. This type of sneakers is meant for anyone who wants to try something different and a little flashy other than the regular white sneakers. How these sneakers bring to life a person’s outfit is quite remarkable (as long as you don’t wear too much pop on top), especially being a shoe that flaunts camouflage and different colors.
The rockrunner is originally made in Italy and features a flat rubber sole, an almond toe, and a tonal pyramid stud detail. It has a 100% rubber sole, 100% leather outer, and 100% lining and is averagely priced at $990.
Reebok (Club C 85)
This is another tennis-inspired sneaker produced by one of the biggest fashion brands in the world – Reebok. The Reebok Club C 85 is a simple white sneaker that shows off a gum bottom and a classy vintage look. Because they can be worn with literally almost anything, they’ve become one of the most popular business casual sneakers we have today. The soft leather upper, coupled with its low profile cut, is responsible for the comfort it provides and, as such, can be worn for longer hours. It is also a good fit for work environments that require a good amount of patrolling.
The Reebok Club C 85 features a low-cut and lightweight EVA midsole cushioning. It also has 100% leather and other fabrics outer, 100% fabric lining, and 100% rubber sole. It is averagely priced at $130.
The Golden Goose (Superstar)
Just a glance at this sneaker will tell you it was made for the fashion-inclined. The Golden Goose Superstar sneaker is best worn with a minimal outfit, although its design isn’t minimal. Outfits that consist mainly of earthly linen and tones are the best match for the Golden Goose Superstar sneakers. And for some controversial reasons, this sneaker has become quite popular – a lot of people can’t imagine letting go of $600 for a pair of sneakers that was intentionally designed to look ‘distressed .’This sneaker has become quite popular for this reason and has gained a lot of following like other big names in the sneaker business.
It is originally made in Italy and has a low-top, shearling lining and round toe. It also has 100% rubber sole, 60% ovine leather, and 40% calf leather lining. Its outer is 89% calf leather and 11% Ovine leather (top grain). The Golden Goose Superstar is averagely priced at $660.
Veja (V-10)
The Veja brand is well known for producing remarkably sustainable sneakers without any form of compromise. The durability of Veja sneakers is a result of the variety of materials they use for production, the likes of; wild rubber extracted from the Amazonian forest, organic cotton, and other innovative fabrics (e.g., recycled plastic bottles). The concept of recycled sneakers is revolutionary as you will hardly find anyone who isn’t pleased with the idea, especially if he or she looks good wearing these business casual sneakers. Veja has come to stay and will hopefully continue demonstrating respect for humans and the environment. They may even set a path for other brands in the same line of business to follow. What’s more is that the Veja V-10 casual sneaker can be worn anywhere and at any time of the day, making it as flexible as other white sneakers we have today. It is a business casual sneaker that can be paired with cargo or some light-wash denim jeans and can be worn to a place of work.
The Veja V-10 is originally manufactured in Brazil and has a flat rubber sole. It also has a round toe, an outer made of 100% vegetable fibers, as well as a 100% rubber sole and 100% fabric lining. It is averagely priced at $210.
New Balance (Made in US 990 v5)
With the New Balance 990 V5 sneakers, you can finally get out of bed in the morning without being shy of going to work in a sneakers. This is one of those sneakers you can wear anywhere, and your place of work is no exception. Aside from being one of the best business casual sneakers you must try, it has a lot to offer; it is comfortable, gives out a vintage vibe, and has a premium construction. For a traditional feel, you can pair the New Balance 990 with some baggy corduroy pants or a pair of checkered suit pants. If you could only have one pair of sneakers for the rest of your life, it would be the New Balance (made in US 990 V5).
The New Balance 990 was originally made in the United States and had a dual-density collar foam, a blown rubber outsole, and an ENCAP midsole cushioning. It is averagely priced at $280.