When I’m invited to an event or workplace, there are two words in the dress code that make my heart happy: smart casual.
I’ve never been able to enjoy the tactile feel of a tie, and I’m always worried about staining or damaging my clothes when I’m wearing it well, and above all: I feelmewhere I am very informal.
Smart casual is the appropriate dress code because dressing well is a way to show respect to those around you,butif the level is as low as “smart outrage” then you still have a lot of room for expression and comfort in the way you dress.
He also wears long pants, which means he gets to wear the biggest shoes of all: boots.
Can You Really Wear Boots With Smart Casual Clothes?
Some guys hear “boots” and think of work boots like Red Wing and Chippewa, but remember that the word “boot” basically just means leather shoes that cover your ankles, and in the world of endless choices of men’s clothing, there are countless models that perfectly complement the collars.
The key to choosing a smart casual boot that goes on the other side of chunky, protective workwear: you want boots that are lightweight, low-profile, and made from high-quality leather.
Luckily, I’ve spent years flying around the world researching all kinds of boots out there – I even made my own in Guatemala, but that’s another story.
My point is you are in good hands, here. When it comes to the classic-but-not-so-classic, there are five types of boots that are perfect choices.
The Best Smart Casual Boots
No meaty toes here! In this list we have included several types of lace up and two wireless models that all have their pros and cons. Bonus: each of them is available in several skins, so you can find a smooth black or a rare red to suit your needs.
1. Chelsea: Thursday’s Chelsea Boots
Is there a better shield than Chelsea? Once you’ve worn these for a week, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered matching the straps.
The only real downside to Chelsea is that it can be hard to find a comfortable one that’s easy to wear with ripped jeans and a t-shirt – but that’s why it’s perfect for smart casual.
The Thursday Boot Company has a large range of boots and includes three styles of
With an almond-shaped toe and a flat sole with reversed shoulders, this model actually rose to become the brand’s best-selling Chelsea – even though it was intended as a “cap.”
Why? Because it looks like it
The suede called “Sandstone” is very popular because the suede covers the bottom of the boot, so when combined with a small boot you get one of the most versatile options.
I’d certainly recommend it for casual smart stuff, but there are also two smooth brown leathers that you might find easier to carry around on a business casual basis.
No matter which leather you choose, you’ve got a versatile boot for under $200 — an extraordinary rarity.
2. Service Boot: Grant Stone’s Diesel Boot
The term “utility boot” refers to lace-up boots with a lower profile than your work boots, and while there are many round-toed, informal service boots, Grant Stone has championed the “smart casual” genre.
Foremost among their models is the Diesel, a light toe model with a flat sole and elegant finish.
They are more expensive than Thursdays, but this brand has risen to the top of the grocery store among the most discerning boot lovers of the Internet with their excellent quality control, sturdy feel, and world-class leathers.
Diesel comes in almost every color and leather you could want, including ostrich and kudu (a type of deer) but if you’re smart you can do better with suedes (sourced from the world leader in the material, England’s CF Stead).
Or you can choose from their line of Chromexcels, sourced from Chicago’s Horween Leather Company and arguably the most popular and popular boot leather in the World.
3. Chukka: Clark Desert Boot
If you’ve spent a lot of time on r/malefashiona tips, you’ve probably come across the common witty phrase “OCBD + CDB” — the oxford cloth button down
The reason they are the default choice is their convenience and their great price, which is usually $150.
They can’t be reinvented, but these casual chukka boots are super comfortable and, surprisingly, affordable despite being made from CF Stead suede.
Expect great shock absorption from the crepe sole but if that’s not your thing, you can try the Evo model with its solid rubber sole for just ten bucks more. You will soon see why this is the boot that makes Clark’s mark.
4. Wingtip: Allen Edmonds’ Hamilton Wingtip Dress Boot
Although the term technically refers to the long piece of toe that reaches down into the middle of the foot, wing vents are an ironic metaphor: small holes dotted in a boot (or shoe) that were originally intended to help water escape from the surface.
This is because wing boots began as outdoor wear for rowing in the English countryside, and it was unthinkable to wear them anywhere that called for clothing that was considered “smart.”
Today, however, wingtips have turned to the other extreme of the norm, and it’s not uncommon to see guys wearing them with a suit and tie.
My opinion? That’s mostly legal for wingtips, but it’s dynamite in the smart casual and business areas.
The best-selling Hamilton boot by Allen Edmonds is made in the USA, is comfortable, fitted with the world-famous Dainite rubber sole, and comes in ten incredible widths.
Paired with chinos and a button down or polo
5. Jodhpur: Douglas Jodhpur by Beckett Simonon
Jodhpurs are a great way to stand out from the crowd without showing off – and it’s that kind of balance that most guys love.
Since your pants fall to your ankle, jodhpurs will look like you are wearing Chelsea boots, but Jodhpurs are so much more.
Originating in the Indian city of Rajasthan, Jodhpurs have a leather strap around the ankle that allows them to fit Chelsea boots, and Beckett Simonon’s Douglas is one of the brand’s best sellers.
You can get them in one of five leathers, and they stand out in this range by being made with a construction called Blake stitch. Unlike the Goodyear welt, which is common in boots, the Blake stitching makes the boot lighter and more flexible.
You give up a bit of water resistance, but we think it’s worth it — especially since they’re also cheap to make, which is why these boots come in at $259.
Note that Beckett Simonon also keeps prices low with a made-to-order model, which means you’ll be waiting a few months for your boots to arrive.
Their reputation is solid, but if that’s too long to wait then you can always try similarly priced models from Meermin or Thursday.
Why Smart Casual Clothes Make You Happier
In fact, research shows that smart casual can be the “best” way to dress for yourself. What do I mean? However, researchers at Virginia’s Old Dominion University surveyed 50 people with a series of questions intended to reveal how different levels of clothing affected their self-esteem, self-image, and behavior.
Predictably, they found that youfeel better about yourselfcasual wear consists of loungewear, and “casual wear” (their term for smart, laid-back casualnormalagainpart-time business) makes you feel better.
But the interesting thing issmart casualare ranked higher thanpart-time businessorbusiness professional.Respondents felt better about smart casual clothing than any other level of clothing– without clothes. In fact, every boy feels himself when he wears itwayup.
My theory is that if you are a business casual or business professional, you probably follow a dress code set for you and/or at work. In any case, you don’t do what you want to do that day.
Whatever the reason, smart casual means you can still express your individual style while striking a balance between comfort and sophistication.
Wrapping up
Whether you’re heading to a casual office or a backyard barbecue, these options will get you there in style and comfort. After all, being able to combine these two things is the best part of smart casual – that and the approval of your peers.