WHICH SHOES ARE RIGHT FOR A SMART-CASUAL LOOK?
The casual dress style has become the norm. You don't need to have written a thesis on the sociology of clothing to realize that suits are increasingly a minority in the office. Even certain professions with a strict dress code, such as lawyers, now only wear suits to meetings and like to dress casually. But which shoes are right for a casual dress style?
Thanks to outfits put together by our expert friends, bloggers and influencers, we've put together a guide to keeping your style casual but dressy.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CASUAL DRESS SHOES?
The casual dress style is a style of balance. It can be defined as the art of combining formality and sport in the same outfit. Formality can come from footwear, and vice versa can also come from clothing. Just as with sport. It's a question of dosage. The aim is to be comfortable, without standing out, for a city and business look.
Richelieus Marc on the Beach. Alliance of the elements.
BOAT SHOES, THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN CASUAL AND ELEGANT
When you think of a shoe that combines casualness and refinement, the boat shoe naturally comes to mind. Originally designed for the seaside and nautical escapades, they are now an ideal ally for weekends and moments of stylish relaxation. Its special lacing and flexible sole provide immediate comfort, while giving the silhouette that sought-after casual chic look.
If, in addition, the upper is made from high-quality, supple leather, as on our Raphael model, then the subtle blend of elegance and casualness is perfectly achieved.
When it comes to pairing, the boat shoe goes just as well with jeans as it does with a rolled-up chino, worn with a polo shirt or linen shirt to complete a fresh, controlled look.
Rough jeans, polo shirt, light jacket and a pair of Raphaels.
LE MOCASSIN, COOL AND CHIC
The moccasin, with its distinctive platform design, is a must-have for casual dressing. A summer favorite for their aesthetic appeal, comfort and ability to be worn barefoot, they can also be perfectly integrated into a formal outfit, providing a sporty alternative. For everyday wear to work, the moccasin can be the ideal companion. Some aficionados swear by this model, whatever the season! Whether it's windy, snowy or rainy... they bring out their moccasins!
Julien Borghino chose flannel pants, a polo shirt and a cashmere sweater to wear with a pair of Pauls.
THE BOOT, ELEGANT AND CASUAL
Like the moccasin, the bootie also has its fervent supporters. We can only understand them. It's a “winter moccasin”. This model has all the comfort of a moccasin. Its fit and elevated shaft mean you can get through rainy or snowy days without fear of catching a bad cold. With no seams on the upper, the bootie is a real slipper, and can be worn in countless circumstances with a wide variety of outfits: jeans, chino, suit... The only garment that won't tolerate booties is shorts. But there's no need to spell it out for you.
Oiled jacket, cotton shirt, raw denim jeans and Martin boots for Dad's Style.
THE SNEAKER, KING OF SPORT CHIC
In essence, the sneaker conveys a sporty style. As we told you in our article last March, they were created for this purpose and then, over time, became part of a more urban wardrobe. Today, it's a must-have for every man's wardrobe.
So how do you make this model your own in a casual dress style? The first thing is to choose a sneaker that's not too sporty. For example, our Maxime and Gabriel sneakers, with their boot-style finish. Then match this sneaker with chic casual wear like a nice chino, a nice shirt, a jacket... or even a suit. It's all possible. A great pair of sneakers with a well-tailored suit is a real winner.
Thomas Louis in blue suit and Maxime sneakers.
AND THE RICHELIEU? DRESSY BUT NOT CASUAL?
The richelieu is often pigeonholed as a classic. It's true that this model is by nature the most suitable for formal occasions. However, when you're looking for shoes for a casual, dressy style, they're not to be overlooked. Quite the opposite, in fact.
As we said in the introduction, it's all a question of balance. An elegant leather richelieu paired with chino pants in a light color can be a successful example of casual dress style. When it comes to richelieu, then, we're looking for an outfit that offers the right counterpoint. Chic for the shoe, casual for the garment. It's all a question of dosage, isn't it?
Arthur richelieus in burgundy for a chic, comfortable look.
STYLE HABILLE DECONTRACTE, A STYLE THAT REFLECTS OUR PERSONALITY
Casual dressing is In Corio's DNA. We love that balance of texture, material and comfort... We like to wear clothes and shoes we feel good in. As you can see from our outfit suggestions and those of our expert friends, there's no shortage of ideas. As we often say, the first judge is you. Make your outfits your own, experiment with combinations... and you'll be surprised!
Our friend Gustave Brindel plays perfectly with colors and materials.
Our comrades at Comme un camion talk about the elegant sneaker Maxime. We invite you to take a look at their site! You'll see some great photos of our shoes in casual dress style.
Dress sneakers: the elegance of leather, the comfort of sneakers
