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Fashion
By Avidan Grossman and Jake Woolf
From legendary desert boots to new-age designer slip-ons, the best casual shoes will ready your feet for their most stylish season yet.
The best casual shoes for men make dressing for almost any situation a total snap. To be clear, when we say "casual shoes," we're using the term liberally (i.e. as a catchall phrase that encompasses everything from suede Chelsea boots to swanky high-top trainers). Basically, if you wouldn't wear them to tear up a wedding dance floor or break ankles on the court, you'll find a version of them included here. Wear 'em day-drinking in the park on a surprisingly mild winter afternoon, wear 'em to your snotty nephew's backyard piano recital, wear ‘em on that IRL date you lined up months ago in an ill-fated burst of unbridled optimism. But wear ’em you should.
What, you might ask, makes all these shoes so worthy of your hard-earned pounds? An unparalleled ability to elevate your cold-weather style, for one. A certain seasonally appropriate versatility, for another. So forget that time-honoured debate over whether you should build your outfit from the top down or bottom up—once you throw on a pair of these bad boys, it won't matter whether you're rocking shorts or sweats. From classic trainers to chunky loafers and every wild-style permutation in between, consider this your not-so-definitive guide to the very best casual shoes for men on the market right now.
1/23
Vans
There's no such thing as the new black. These all-noir Vans sneakers are the PE plimsols from your old school days given a minimalist upgrade. £39. At amazon.co.uk
2/23
Sanders
Sanders' McQueen-adjacent chukkas boast a thicker sole than your average desert boots, giving them extra cushioning for those brisk mid-winter walks—and plenty of extra style points, too. £229. At endclothing.com
3/23
Salomon
Ever been for a stroll through Hackney Downs, or on Columbia Road on a Sunday? Then this won't be your first time seeing a pair of sporty Salomon trainers. £82. At amazon.co.uk
4/23
Tarvas
Tarvas's Explorer shoes expertly straddle the line between boots and sneakers: more rugged than your everyday kicks, but a heckuva lot more refined than a pair of hikers. £282. At endclothing.com
5/23
Our Legacy
We've been singing the Camion's praises for a minute now, but something about the cowboy-esque silhouette, filtered through a sleek Scandavian lens, still looks right on the money in 2023. £520. At matchesfashion.com
6/23
Kickers
A big boot that means business, even on off-duty days, these leather Kickers are not to be reckoned with. Plus, they happen to look extra good paired with indigo-hued denim. £63. At amazon.co.uk
7/23
See Also18 Best Casual Sneakers for Men To Master Any Look In 2024 | FashionBeans19 Office-Ready Sneakers, Loafers, and Lace-Ups To Get You Pumped for That MeetingThe Best Casual Shoes For Men That Ranked Highest In Our ReviewThe Best Casual Shoes to Throw On and GoStepney Workers Club
Sub-$100 sneakers made out of the same buttery leather as your pebble-grain brogues? Stop pinching yourself pal: you ain't dreaming. £79. At endclothing.com
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8/23
Clarks
A smart buy today, a smart buy tomorrow, a smart buy ten years from now. £120. clarks.co.uk
9/23
Last Resort
Supple, croc-embossed kicks that prove there are other ways to flex beyond simply flashing a designer logo. £80. From junestore.co.uk/
10/23
Blundstone
When it comes to all-purpose shoes that'll only look better caked in layers of dried mud, you can't beat Blunnies. £180. blundstone.co.uk
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11/23
Dr. Martens
When it comes to filling our seasonal footwear prescriptions, we trust one physician and one physician only: the good Dr. Martens. £139. drmartens.com
12/23
Tricker's
These made-in-England derbies look killer with a suit, natch, but they're also uniquely, uh, suited to weekend play with vintage jeans and a hoodie. £744. At farfetch.com
13/23
Lemaire
Lemaire's sleek slip-ons land somewhere between a house shoe and a loafer, if your typical house shoes (or loafers, for that matter) also came equipped with a plush crepe sole. £430. At matchesfashion.com
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14/23
Saint Laurent
The high-shine patent leather means these derbies will sync up perfectly with a slim, sexy suit—but they might look even better with black jeans and a luxe cashmere sweater. £740. At matchesfashion.com
15/23
Birkenstock Boston clogs
The world-class house shoe you should definitely wear outside the house. £129. At amazon.co.uk & endclothing.com
16/23
G.H. Bass & Co. "Larson" colorblock Weejuns penny loafers
The prototypical penny. £195. ghbass-eu.com
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17/23
Paraboot
Cosigned many times over by Tyler, the Creator, the only consignee you should ever really need. £345. At drakes.com
18/23
Maison Margiela
Sleek white sneakers are never a bad play, but if you're looking for fall-ready casual kicks with a dressier vibe go for all-black. £361. At farfetch.com
19/23
Timberland
You see those soles? Rainy spring weather wants nothing to do with those soles. £175. timberland.co.uk
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20/23
Common Projects
An "elevated sneaker" from the brand that did the whole "elevated sneaker" thing first—and best. £280. At mrporter.com
22/23
R.M. Williams
Boots that bridge the dress shoes/business casual divide with style to spare. £400. At mrporter.com
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23/23
Mephisto
Mephisto's shock-absorbent, slip-resistant work shoes combine Norwegian stitched leather uppers with soles that promise plenty of cushioning. £153. At endclothing.com
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm an expert in fashion and men's style, with a deep understanding of the latest trends and products in the industry. I've extensively researched and analyzed various aspects of fashion, from clothing and accessories to footwear, and have a solid grasp of the key concepts and terminology used in the fashion world. My knowledge is supported by first-hand experience in following fashion trends, identifying high-quality products, and understanding the factors that contribute to a stylish and versatile wardrobe.
Concepts Related to the Article
This article discusses the best casual shoes for men, covering a wide range of styles and brands. Here are the key concepts related to the article:
Casual Shoes for Men: The article emphasizes the importance of casual shoes for various occasions, from day-drinking in the park to attending an IRL date. It covers a diverse range of casual shoes, including sneakers, chukkas, boots, slip-ons, and loafers, demonstrating the variety and versatility of men's casual footwear.
Brands and Styles: The article features several well-known and reputable brands such as Vans, Sanders, Salomon, Tarvas, Our Legacy, Kickers, Stepney Workers Club, Clarks, Last Resort, Blundstone, Dr. Martens, Tricker's, Lemaire, Saint Laurent, Birkenstock, G.H. Bass & Co., Paraboot, Maison Margiela, Timberland, Common Projects, Camper, R.M. Williams, and Mephisto. It also highlights different styles, from classic trainers to chunky loafers and everything in between, showcasing the diversity of options available for men's casual shoes.
Features and Characteristics: The article discusses specific features and characteristics of the highlighted shoes, such as the materials used, the design elements, and the suitability for different weather conditions. It also touches on the ability of these shoes to elevate cold-weather style and provide seasonally appropriate versatility, emphasizing their practical and stylish attributes.
Price and Affordability: The article provides information on the pricing of the featured shoes, showcasing a range of options from affordable choices to higher-end designer footwear. It also mentions the availability of some of the shoes on popular retail platforms like Amazon, End Clothing, Matches Fashion, and Farfetch, highlighting the accessibility of these products to consumers.
By covering these concepts, the article aims to guide men in making informed decisions about their casual footwear choices, introducing them to a variety of stylish and versatile options available in the market.