Comfort is one of the first things you should look for when buying shoes for a business casual event, or any shoe for that matter. But, since this will still be a business event, you do want to look your best and act your best, and you can’t do that if you have footwear on that bothers you and distracts you from casual chit-chat and what not. So, always make sure that the shoes you are buying are cozy; don’t sacrifice your health and well being for looking good!

Insoles play the biggest part in overall comfort when it comes to shoes for a business casual event. After all, it’s the part of the shoe where your feet will spend the most time on, so it’s important to find footwear that has proper insoles! Memory foam insoles are one of the best out there. You probably saw many commercials and ads talking about how great memory foam mattresses are, and if you’ve ever tried it, you know it’s true. So imagine walking on a set of two super cushy mattresses all the time!

Memory foam insoles will adapt to your foot shape almost instantly, ensuring you have a great fit in your shoes for a business casual event. What makes them so special though is their ability to bounce back to their original shape as soon as you take the shoe off, so the amount of compression they will suffer over time is minimum, and they will always provide you with great levels of comfort and ventilation!

Ortholite footbeds are also one way to improve the comfort of shoes for a business casual event. These removable insoles found their way into many popular brands today, like Nike or Adidas, all because they have a lot of things to offer. When compared to regular insoles, Ortholite insoles have a compression set of less than 5%, meaning that the cushioning an fit will always remain the same. It’s made out of an open-cell PU foam. These open-cells allow moisture to dissipate easily, and they move it away from your feet, giving you a drier and healthier shoe environment. This foam is also very light, so there will be no added weight to tire down your feet. And the best part is, they are removable, so you can wash them in a machine! They will always come out looking and feeling like brand new, maintaining all of the benefits they had before.

Gel-infused insoles also decorate the inside of some of the shoes for a business casual event mentioned in our guide. These insoles, unlike the foam ones, have a certain type of gel filling them in. This gel also provides a good amount of comfort. Instead of compressing and shaping itself like foam, the gel reorganizes its density and composition, cushioning you just where you need it to. It will not compress at all since it is in a liquid state and it can just move around to accommodate your feet. This gel is also light, and it breathes well, so you will have proper ventilation and cushy comfort.

Lifestride is a company known for making cozy footwear, so it’s no surprise they have a special technology meant to improve the level of comfort even more. This is their three-part system meant to provide you with all-day comfort. All of their insoles are fitted with a high-rebound foam that provides a soft fit, while it breathes and dries you, keeping you fresh and happy. The liner also provides support, for stability and balance. No more arch pain! And, it’s highly flexible, so you won’t feel as much force as you walk, especially on high heels. If comfort is your top priority, you may want to choose LifeStride shoes for a business casual event.

The materials your footwear is made out of also play an important role. Imagine showing up in extravagant satin shoes for a business casual event, or in simple canvas sneakers? That wouldn’t be professional at all! So choosing the right kind of material can do wonders, and it could completely revamp your appearance.

Bovine leather is obviously the best choice for shoes for a business casual event. This type of leather is the most common type, while the word bovine means that it came from cattle and nothing else. Just because it’s so common doesn’t mean it’s not valuable though, as leather does have plenty to offer! About 95% of products made out of leather are made out of bovine leather, so it’s pretty popular, and also because cattle are widely bred and available everywhere. If you worry about the ethics of leather farming, don’t!

If you enjoy eating meat and meat products, then you should know that the very leather that you’re wearing comes from the same animals, so nothing goes to waste. Although, if you’re completely against the meat industry, we understand, and that is why faux leather exists. This type of leather is the most durable and will outlast any kind of material that exists. The leather is pricey though, but it’s better to shell out a few extra than to buy medium-quality shoes for a business casual event over and over again. It’s also stiff and heavy, so you might have a hard time breaking it in and adjusting to the overall weight. It resists water and dirt, and it’s pretty easy to maintain. But, it’s also hard to dye leather, so your color options might be limited.

Suede is also a good choice for shoes for a business casual event. This material also comes from animals, specifically the inner surface, which is visible once the leather is removed from an animal. Sometimes, suede is left just the way it is, upturned and not treated at all, but that takes away from all the qualities suede is known for. The majority of the time though, the leather gets split, revealing the soft, fuzzy underside we all know and love. Suede, if it’s made to be thicker, can be very durable, but still not as durable as leather is. The brushed face gives away the luxurious look ll suede has, which makes you look like a fashion star no matter what you might be wearing with it. Suede is pricey though, is a dirt magnet, and it absorbs water easily, making it a bad fit for wet seasons.

The most important thing when it comes to shoes for a business casual event is the style of your footwear. Only a few styles are acceptable, but depending on your company, they might be a little bit more laidback, so you’d have more options. We will discuss the most common types of shoes for business casual events though, as you can’t go wrong with these!

Of course, oxfords are the most common type of shoes for business casual events. They are the definition of smart shoes, so they should be a no-brainer, right? They are very versatile and can take you from school to super formal events, but you should be careful about the type of Oxfords though because many do exist and their formality varies. This shoe became popular on the grounds of Oxford University, which is where it takes its name from. You can easily recognize an Oxford shoe if you know what to look for. First, they sit under your ankle, meaning they are low cut. Secondly, they have low heels, which can be stacked.

Lastly, they have a lacing system that is stitched closed at the bottom. The lacing system is the number one difference between an Oxford and a derby shoe because Derby shoes have open lacing systems. Brogues exist too, and knowing the difference between the two can go a long way. Brogues are the perforations seen on the upper, which were meant to drain the water out of the shoe. Brogues are less formal than Oxfords and can be a great choice of shoes for a business casual event. The most formal of the Oxfords are the plain toe, which is the number one choice for black tie events. The cap toe though is meant for business events, because it doesn’t have such a serious and mature silhouette.

Wingtips feature the shape of the letter M near the toes that resemble a bird in flight and have many perforations running alongside the edges, making them a great smart shoe. The Balmorals look like wingtips, but they lack the perforations, making them more formal and mature. The saddle Oxfords are a rare find, and they originate from America. They feature a strip of leather in a different color, that runs around the middle and down to the soles. Last but not least, we have the whole-cut Oxfords, that are, like the name suggests, cut from only one strip of leather. They lack any detail but they are still casual enough to be the most versatile type you can find out there!

Chelsea boots are also a great smart option. These shoes for a business casual event are quite simple in design, and they have a dual panel elastic gore on the sides that will stretch to make putting them on and off easier. A pull tab often sits on the heel counter, making it even easier to slide your feet in. These boots date back to the Victorian era and have been worn by both men and women since they first saw the light of day.

Loafers are shoes for a business casual event that have no lacing or fasting systems and are instead simply slipped onto the foot. This is why sometimes they are regarded as a slip-on. Their construction was inspired by the moccasins Native Americans used to wear, although their style today varies greatly. Penny loafers are one of the most popular types. These loafers have a leather strap that goes over the forefoot, with a slot shaped like a diamond big enough to fit a penny, hence the name.

Tassel or kiltie loafers were made by the Alden shoe company and then popularized but the Brooks Brothers. This loafer sports a decorative lace with a tassel on top. Gucci also introduced a type of loafer with a brass strap, making them a great choice for formal events. Moc loafers took a lot from traditional moccasins, as they have a stitch that runs along the top of the toes, just like real mocc’s have. Loafers usually don’t have high heels, but sometimes they can sport it. Loafers are not formal shoes, which is what makes them a great choice for business casual events.

And last but not least, we have the ballet flat. The ballet flat took a lot from pointe shoes, footwear made for ballet dancers. Just like the dance, the shoe is dainty, graceful and elegant, adding to the gentle tone ballet brings with it. Many people liked the footwear and desired to bring it out of the dance and into the fashion scene, and that surely did happen. Ballet flats are a very popular type of shoes for a business casual event today, but if they have the right set of details and colors, they can be transformed into formal shoes as well. They usually don’t have a heel, but a little-stacked one can be added, which is great because it provides us with arch support. A ballet flat is a great option for business casual events because it’s just formal enough to fit in with the scene.

You should also consider the color of the shoe you will be buying. Bold, vibrant colors and wild patterns are not acceptable in this situation, although they can be if your company is laidback. These hues scream casual, and should not be worn to business events, even if they are a bit more casual. It’s always better to dress more formal than casual! So, which colors work in this situation?

Earthy colors, like tan, brown or taupe work the best for shoes for a business casual event. These colors are calm and neutral and can be matched with pretty much anything you have in your closet. Black is also great, and this is the most universal color out there. Choose colors like these and you will make no mistake at all!

When you have such an event that requires specific clothing and shoes, finding ones that will last for more than one event can be a lottery. This would mean that you are settled for future events too, but it’s still recommended to change them up sometimes. Durable shoes for a business casual event are always a win, as you will have a trusty pair you can always throw on. Their durability is affected by the material they are made out of. Leather is super hardy and lasts for a long time, making the most durable shoe out there. If they are paired with welts, you will have shoes that could last even several decades! Suede is durable too, but it tears easily and can’t be compared to leather. Of course, textile lasts the least, requiring changing after a few seasons.

The construction also affects their overall durability. Shoes for a business casual event that are stitched together usually last the longest, since glue tends to give after a few uses, meaning you can kiss the soles goodbye. Reinforced toes and heels also save the life of one shoe, because these areas are the first that give in. Durable outsoles also help, since they are what you walk on, and having flimsy outsoles won’t help your case!

When you’re purchasing shoes for a business casual event, you definitely want to invest in a pair that you will be able to wear more than just on a couple of occasions. The good thing about this type of footwear is that, usually, it is highly versatile and should be possible to dress up or down. When you’re buying a pair of shoes for a business casual event you may want to err on the side of caution - this means that opting for something that is slightly more formal is the better choice than making a faux pas with shoes that are too casual.

For men, the safest option is always to go with a pair of Oxfords - not only because these will look good with both jeans and trousers, but because they can also be worn with a suit, allowing you to get the best value out of your investment. Other versatile options of shoes for a business casual event include loafers, monk straps or Chelsea boots for colder weather.

For women, the best versatile shoes for a business casual events are either a pair of simple high heels, or menswear inspired flats. Heels go great with skirts, trousers and jeans, but if you’re going to be in a professional setting, it is still best to stay away from designs which are too extravagant. Flats such as ballet flats, Oxfords and loafers are an ideal alternative because they can still look professional, but offer the support and comfort you don’t usually receive from high heeled footwear.

One more thing you’ll want to keep in mind is price. In general, investing in higher quality items is always a good choice, but if you really only need shoes for a business casual event you’ll wear once and never again, you will probably want to go with something a bit more budget friendly. In these cases, you may even want to look to what you already own, and see whether there is a pair of footwear in your closet you can make use of on that single occasion.