Business Casual Men's Style Guide to Wearing Loafers

This well-liked yet ambiguous dress code can lead to a lot of uncertainty. Even those who set it frequently struggle to completely comprehend it because of how ambiguous its description is. Men’s formal shoes in Singapore are no different. So, loafers are business casual, right?

One of the most popular leather shoes for men to wear in business casual situations is loafers. It expertly finds a blend of casual and professional use, combining a relaxed slip-on shape with a more formal dress shoe's heel and structure. The design, material, and colour of loafers might vary, some will be more acceptable for work than others.

Loafers are often a good choice for this attire. They seem almost tailor-made for it. The appropriate loafers to wear in various business-casual contexts are covered in this article - read on!

 

How to Style Loafers for a Business Casual Look

You must first determine what "business-casual" implies in your specific situation in order to dress in loafers.

Simply said, business casual often excludes dress pants and suits. It is distinguished by the blending of formal business clothes with smart casual clothing.

Usually, this is the most difficult aspect. We think it useful to divide the dress code into two general groups since it's likely that you'll fall into one of these.

Corporate / Professional — Consider the fields of law, accounting, and finance.

Relaxed / Informal — Think retail, marketing, design etc.

You also have startups and ultra-modern offices where everything goes, but it's reasonable to suggest that you could wear loafers in these locations too!

Let's discuss how you would dress in each of those two primary categories while wearing loafers for business casual men's outfits.

 

Corporate / Professional

Although some workplaces may advertise "business-casual" dress standards, it frequently isn't quite as "casual" as you may initially think.

Even if you won't need to put on a suit, it's still important to play it safe and determine what you must wear before choosing your clothing.

To look professional, you should generally choose a classier pair of loafers for men. Choose dark brown leather; penny or tassel shoes would work well, but bit loafers will also look great.

 

Style tips:

• Navy blazers or dark sports jackets are appropriate.
• Well-fitted dress pants in black, grey or navy to go with your traditional business casual outfit
• Button down shirt or a tucked-in Oxford shirt, with perhaps a necktie
• Dress watch

 

Avoid wearing jeans, polo shirts, and suits, of course. Suits aren't necessary for business casual men's attire, for starters. Furthermore, it's challenging to pull off suits with loafers. If you truly wanted to pull it off, you'd have to choose a pair of black formal shoes.

 

Relaxed / Informal

You have greater freedom here, and any pair of business casual men's shoes should work just well, it's safe to say.

You don't want to risk being underdressed, though.

To be on the safe side, choose a pair of suede or leather loafers in medium to dark brown; any design will suffice (bit, penny, or tassel).

Avoid using colours that are excessively light or vivid. Brown is consistently a smart choice for business casual men's outfits.

 

Style tips:

• Knitwear or a cardigan
• Sports coat in a lighter hue or with a subtle design 
• Long-sleeved polo or Oxford collared shirt
• Chinos

 

Keep in mind that there may be occasions when you wish to wear something a little dressier than business casual. For instance, while dealing with clients or going to meetings. A basic jumper or dress shirt alone could be appropriate in some situations, but a sports coat may be prudent in others.

 

What loafers are appropriate for business casual men's outfits?

You should be acquainted with the three primary types of loafers. 

They all fit perfectly into business casual environments, but their formality does vary a little bit.

 

Bit Loafers

They also go by the names "horse-bit loafers" or "Gucci loafers," but what distinguishes them is the traditional metal buckle on top of the vamp.

The bit loafer is regarded as the most opulent and refined type of loafer you can get.

A dark brown leather bit loafer is a wonderful choice if your business-casual situation tends more to the professional side, such as in business or corporate settings.

The metal has a gloss and a striking aspect that give it a somewhat more upscale appearance compared to the other ones on our list.

They're still not as formal as Oxfords or Derbys, for sure. However, loafers look rather stylish and are more than suitable for any business-casual environment.

 

The Penny Loafers

Possibly the most common type of loafer in the entire globe are penny loafers. They are distinguished by a leather strap all across the top that frequently has a notch in the shape of a diamond. They have a casual appearance yet are nonetheless suitable for business-casual ensembles. If you're deciding between these and bit loafers, take note that they appear a touch more informal.

 

Tassel Loafers

These seem a little more ornamental but are still about as dressy as penny loafers.

This is made possible by the prominent tassel on top of the vamp. It is a highly well-liked loafer design, especially among elderly males.

In fact, males in this group are frequently seen paired with their business attire with tassel loafers.

Having said so, younger people also choose tassel loafers in even more vivid hues and suede textures.

They would be appropriate in the majority of business-casual environments, much like penny loafers. However, if you wanted to be a little more formal, choose a loafer instead.

 

Business-casual Loafers: Suede vs Leather

Although suede loafers may be worn in business-casual situations, they are more suited in informal office settings than in formal or corporate ones.

Leather loafers often perform well in settings like these when business attire is more formal. Even while a suit may not be required, you would still probably be required to dress a bit more formally.

Compared to leather, suede has a softer and nappier surface. As a result of its lack of noticeable gloss, it seems more laid-back. Different suede loafers will have a more casual appearance than others.

Unlined suede loafers, for instance, appear more laid-back than lined suede loafers. This is because they'll appear more like a moccasin or slippers and far less constructed.

 

What shade of loafers look best with business casual men's attire?

You'll need to once again decide how "casual" your "business-casual" dress code actually is when choosing the colour of your loafers.

Your loafers' colour will have a big impact on how official or informal they appear.

Regardless of whether we're discussing suede or leather, bit, penny, or tassel loafers, this guideline is still applicable.

The most formal hue will always be black, closely followed by dark brown. Brighter, lighter hues and tones will always seem more relaxed. Brown loafers look great with business-casual attire. They are extremely adaptable and will make matching and coordinating colours much simpler.

 

Planning to invest in a fine pair of loafers?

In conclusion, loafers for men are a versatile and stylish footwear option that can be worn with a variety of outfits, ranging from casual to formal. With their slip-on design and comfortable fit, they provide convenience and ease for daily wear, while still maintaining a sophisticated and polished look.

Whether you opt for classic leather loafers or more modern styles with unique detailing, there is a pair of loafers out there to suit every taste and occasion. As such, it is no surprise that loafers have remained a popular shoe choice for men for decades, and will likely continue to be a wardrobe staple for many years to come.

To attain that flawlessly put-together appearance that is sure to impress the appropriate people, District One Label has deliberately crafted an assortment of shoes. Check out the collection here!