Are loafers business casual? If you find yourself asking this question, you've come to the right place. We'll take a deep dive on the matter today.
Whether you're preparing to start a new job or you've been invited to a semi-formal event - such as a wedding, garden party, or celebratory dinner, the shoes you wear matter more than any other part of your outfit. You want to dress to impress. Moreover, you want to set a good first impression when you step in. If your shoes aren't up to the business casual guidelines, the rest of your outfit can be written off.
That's why today, we're going to address a question we get all the time - are loafers business casual? As you'll soon discover, yes - they are! Not only can you wear loafers comfortably to any business casual setting, but they're more versatile than other types of footwear. We'll walk you through styling these shoes so you can look good and feel good. Let's get started!
Why Learning Whether Or Not Loafers Are Business Casual Is Important
Navigating workplace dress codes or dressing the part at a big event is daunting. You'll hear so many different phrases thrown around - cocktail attire, semi-formal, smart casual - it's tough to remember the requirements each of these dress codes carries. And, business casual dress attire is no exception.
When attending an event with any sort of dress code, you want to adhere to it. Underdressing shows you don't care, overdressing shows you care too much. Striking the balance right in the middle and nailing your look is hard enough as it is - by learning which dress code loafers fall under, you can feel more confident in piecing your outfit together. This gets rid of any undue stress and will have all eyes on your as you walk into the venue. Sure, your loafers are just one piece of the puzzle - but in our opinion, they're a statement. That's why it's so important you get this element right.
So, Are Loafers Business Casual?
So, with all that being said, are loafers business casual? Yes! Leather loafers, penny loafers, and even tassel loafers can all be worn as part of a business casual outfit. In fact, they're our preferred shoes for business casual outfits. We'll explain why later on. First, we want to make the case for every man and woman owning a pair of loafers. Why? You won't find a type of footwear more versatile than loafers!
While it's true that loafers are great for business casual wear, that's not all they're limited to. We've seen some stunning looks put together by men and women alike wearing loafers casually. And of course, pulling off business casual looks is effortless when you have a nice pair of leather loafers or penny loafers in your wardrobe. But did you know that loafers are also a great choice for formal wear? It's true! With the same pair of loafers you wear in business casual settings, you can dress yourself to perfection in any formal setting. Wear these to weddings, the met gala - anywhere you want to serve up looks and make a statement.
However, when it comes to choosing footwear for business casual or semi-formal, you have plenty of other options. If you want to stick with a low-profile shoe like the penny loafer or leather loafer, oxfords are another good choice. Monk strap shoes work great as well. And if you want to step up with a bigger shoe, you can consider derby shoes, Chelsea boots, chukka boots, etc.
Really, the only things you shouldn't wear with a business casual outfit are sandals or flip-flops. Some say you shouldn't wear sneakers, and we generally agree with this sentiment - however, we've seen some incredibly stylish looks in our Italian sneakers for women and Italian sneakers for men that had us question everything we've known about business casual!
So, with all this variety to choose from - what makes Italian loafers our preferred look for business casual outfits? We'll make the case for loafers as the best choice for this dress code down below...
Why Loafers Are Our Preferred Look For Business Casual Outfits
We prefer loafers in business casual looks for a few reasons. First and foremost, they serve as an incredible statement piece. A business casual outfit isn't going to be very exciting - unless you do it right. And loafers just seem to add that little bit of flair that most outfits lack without overdoing it. They're laceless and slip-on, which tones down the noise a bit. But the low-profile silhouette, stunning fabrics (or leather, in the case of leather loafers), and raised heel do all the talking.
And while penny loafers of past generations were known for being a tad bit uncomfortable, these days, that is no longer the case. At least, not when you go with the best Italian shoes on the market. Now, you can get a pair of loafers that feel just as amazing as they look on your feet. You get the best of both worlds when you go with a quality loafer! Later on we'll explain where you can find a quality, comfortable loafers for men and women alike - a perfect choice for your business casual look.
Additional Tips For Styling Loafers For Business Casual Attire
Now that you know that you're going with loafers for your business casual look, how do you actually wear loafers casually? Don't stress - we're here to help. There are so many different ways you can go about styling your loafers that we're going to start with what you shouldn't do. Here are some pieces of clothing to avoid for business casual settings. These recommendations apply to both men and women:
- Jeans
- Leggings, Yoga Pants, Sweats
- Shorts
- Low-cut Shirts
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
With that out of the way, we'll share a simple business casual look you can pull off effortlessly with loafers. We're going to provide a recommendation for both men and women - ladies first!
Business Casual Look With Women's Loafers
Start by choosing the Italian loafers for women you want. At Del Toro, we offer an incredible selection of quality women's loafers that are sure to exceed expectations. From leather loafers to tassel loafers, suede loafers, and more, we've got all the variety you need to pick your perfect look! And with that said, here are some recommendations to help you piece together the perfect look:
- For your bottoms, choose some nice khakis or trousers. You can also do a nice skirt if it's warmer out. You should just be a bit careful in choosing skirts - as sometimes, they can be a bit too "casual" depending on the specific event.
- Up top, go with a nice blouse that tucks into your trousers or khakis. You can also do a nice sweater if it's chilly out. Some things we recommend you avoid up top include crop tops or anything with a hood.
- Sample Look: Our black leather loafers with a black skirt (or black trousers). Up top, wear a lighter-colored blouse or sweater. If you want to be a bit more formal, pair your skirt and loafers with a collared shirt and a blazer or sportcoat.
Business Casual Look With Men's Loafers
Now we're going to provide you with some insights into styling men's Italian loafers for business casual events.
Remember - this look only works if you go with quality loafers. That's why shopping at Del Toro is the way to go. Experience the finest materials married with unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail. We have a wide range of styles - leather loafers, suede loafers, tassel loafers, and soon, penny loafers! With that said, what pieces should you pair with these loafers for business casual settings? Here's our advice:
- Stick with tapered dress pants. The taper is important - as this will help highlight your loafers. To dress the look down a bit, you can swap the slacks for chinos or khakis. We still recommend a tapered look, though.
- Up top, go with a nice dress shirt. You don't need to add a tie to the look - doing so may result in an overdressed look. With that said, we still encourage you to tuck the shirt in. You don't need to add a belt for business casual, but it is a nice accent. Even better if you match your belt to your shoes. If it's cold out, you can throw on a blazer, sport coat, or even an overcoat.
- Sample look: brown leather loafers with a pair of navy or blue slacks. Tuck in a white dress shirt (no tie) with a few top buttons undone. Tie it all together with a brown belt and a brown strapped timepiece.
We have an entire guide on how to style loafers for women and men alike if you're interested in learning more. There, we'll explain how you can wear loafers in a number of different settings - providing 3 different looks for each gender. It's a great resource - check it out!
Does It Matter Which Type Of Loafers You Wear In Business Casual Settings?
There are so many different types of loafers out there that choosing the right style for your intended look can get confusing. Are tassel loafers the right choice, or should you go with something a bit more understated like classic penny loafers? What about suede vs leather? Fortunately, we're here to clear the air a bit.
While all loafers fall under the business casual dress code umbrella, we encourage you to stick with leather over suede for a more formal look. If you want to dress the outfit down a bit, you can swap that leather out for suede loafers. In terms of tassel loafers vs tasselless loafers, consider the rest of your outfit. If the rest of your look is pretty simple and subtle, you can spruce things up with tassel loafers. The classic penny loafers look is never going out of style - but these types of shoes can be a bit uncomfortable. Fortunately, that needn't be a concern when you shop at Del Toro. We've transformed loafers to remain as classic and stylish as you've come to know them for being - but, far more comfortable than loafers of the past. Experience the difference yourself!
Are Loafers Business Casual? Wrapping Things Up
We hope this article has helped provide clarity on dressing yourself for the business casual dress code. Ditch the dress shoes for something more exciting - like loafers! Now that you know these shoes are perfect for business casual wear, there is just one thing left to do - head over to Del Toro and shop for your perfect pair! We have an abundance of styles to choose from, so finding your preferred pair will be easy.
Whether you're looking for Italian shoes for women or Italian men's shoes, we've got you covered. And as you'll soon discover, loafers are just one type of shoe you'll find in our online store. We've got velvet slippers, house slippers, wedding shoes, and much, much more. See firsthand what makes Del Toro the preferred choice for handcrafted Italian shoes online!
