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.
WHICH SHOE GOES WITH EVERYTHING?
The shoe that goes with everything is a chocolate-brown smooth leather shoe, derby or richelieu, in a sober line: it goes with a suit as well as raw denim, from the office to the weekend. For a more casual wardrobe, the white leather sneaker plays the same role as a universal piece.
| Wardrobe | The pair that goes with everything | At In Corio |
|---|---|---|
| Rather dressy (suit, flannel, chinos) | Chocolate smooth leather richelieu or loafer | Marc, Clément, Paul, Adrien |
| Smart casual (chinos, raw denim, blazer) | Brown loafer or Chelsea / Chukka boot | Etienne, Henry, Gabin |
| Casual (jeans, knitwear, light jacket) | White leather sneaker | Edmond, Gabriel |
Dark brown is the most accommodating shade: it goes with navy, grey and beige as well as denim, where black remains stricter and cognac more pronounced.
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.
MATCHING YOUR SHOES TO YOUR OUTFIT: THE MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS
In a smart casual style, the shoe is chosen first according to the colour and material of the trousers: it is this dialogue between the two that creates the balance of the outfit.
Which shoes with men’s jeans?
With raw denim, almost anything works: a brown derby or richelieu for the week, a suede Chelsea boot like Henry for autumn, a white sneaker like Edmond for the weekend. What matters is the hem, clean and with no break, turned up once if needed to let the shoe breathe.
What colour of shoes with beige?
Beige calls for warm shades: chocolate brown for an elegant contrast, cognac for a tone-on-tone harmony, burgundy for a touch of character. In a casual version, a white leather sneaker lightens the silhouette even more.
How to wear red shoes?
A red shoe is worn as the centrepiece of the outfit: the rest of the silhouette stays neutral, in navy, grey or white, to let it speak. Burgundy, a deep and sober red, offers the most elegant version: a burgundy Filbert richelieu with beige chinos and a navy jumper is the perfect example.
Which shoes with a leather jacket or trousers?
Leather calls for leather, as long as you do not multiply the shades: with a black leather jacket or trousers, a black smooth leather Chelsea boot continues the line; with brown leather, a boot or a chocolate derby creates a warm harmony.
Can you look smart in trainers?
Yes, provided you choose a sneaker with refined finishes, in smooth leather and on a discreet sole, and pair it with structured pieces: well-cut chinos, a shirt, a blazer. That is the whole spirit of our Edmond and Gabriel sneakers, and of their cushioning designed for long days in town.
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.
Whichever pair you choose, a cedar shoe tree slipped in after every wear preserves its line and comfort, season after season.
Want to put together your outfit? Come and try our models and ask for advice in our stores in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Lyon.
Dress sneakers: the elegance of leather, the comfort of sneakers
