{"id":7050,"date":"2020-09-24T12:17:23","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T19:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=7050"},"modified":"2025-03-19T09:33:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:33:42","slug":"are-sneakers-business-casual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/are-sneakers-business-casual\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Sneakers Business Casual?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12449 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re off work, it\u2019s easy to express yourself through your personal style. But when you\u2019re on the job, it\u2019s not always as easy\u2014especially within the parameters of a dress code. If your office has a business casual dress code (sometimes called \u201csmart casual\u201d), you\u2019ve got a lot of flexibility. And yet with this flexibility comes some gray areas because casual attire can mean many different things to people.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re like a lot of people in the workforce, you might be wondering, are sneakers business casual? Tennis shoes can be appropriate for business casual attire, but ultimately, it depends on a few factors. Your employer might have specific guidelines about which types of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">casual <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">footwear<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are allowed. For instance, some require closed-toe shoes, while others allow all sandals other than flip-flops. However, without clear guidance, many business casual dress codes are up for interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>So, can you pull off business casual with sneakers? In many instances, you can. As the world of fashion evolves, many \u201crules\u201d are no longer relevant, like wearing white after Labor Day. The professional landscape has also changed which means the typical business casual dress code has changed. A lot of offices are now more lax and less traditional about things like dress codes. Here\u2019s what you should know about incorporating business casual sneakers into your 9-to-5 wardrobe.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>WHAT ARE THE BEST BUSINESS CASUAL SNEAKERS?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A business casual shoe can take on many forms. Sneakers generally fall into one of two categories: active and casual<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-sneaker-style-guide\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">types of sneakers<\/span><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">athletic shoe <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">styles are engineered for performance, while casual tennis shoes are designed for streetwear. On your days off, you can rock either or both as everyday wear. But generally speaking, streetwear styles are the best business casual sneakers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when pairing them with your go-to <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/what-to-wear-to-work-9-style-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">office outfits<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes fashion sneakers, Mary Jane sneakers, slip-ons, and dress sneakers and boots. We have options for men\u2019s and <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/casual-sneakers.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">women\u2019s casual sneakers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can pass as appropriate for work attire. Find guidance on what to look for with each type of casual shoe below.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sneakers.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12419 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1190\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image3.png 1190w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image3-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image3-1024x332.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/image3-768x249.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1190px) 100vw, 1190px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>FASHION SNEAKERS<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fashion sneakers are laid-back and sporty, with features that align with current trends. Some have vibrant designs, while others are more subtle, but all in all, fashion sneakers are worn to make a statement. If your office dress code allows athletic sneakers or tennis shoes, you certainly don\u2019t have to choose a subtle pair\u2014that is, unless you want to. As long as they\u2019re comfortable and supportive, a bold style can be worked into a smart casual look at work. Even a simple <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sneakers\/white-sneakers.html?colorfamily=480\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">white sneaker<\/span><\/a><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can turn business attire into a sleek, professional look. Looking for tips on styling dress sneakers? Check out our blog on<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-wear-sneakers-fashionably\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">how to wear sneakers fashionably<\/span>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic carries <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fashionable and<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comfy <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sneakers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in a wide range of colors, prints, and styles. From retro silhouettes with textile uppers and leather detailing to modern designs with sleek metallics, animal prints, and camouflage accents, we have it all. You may be wondering,<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/8-comfortable-sneakers-for-all-day-support\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what are the most comfortable sneakers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? With dual-density soles, cushioning, and arch support all hidden within the design, our streetwear sneakers are engineered for comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>MARY JANE SNEAKERS<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mary Jane sneaker is the dress shoe of tennis shoes. Inspired by <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/flats\/mary-janes.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mary Jane flats<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">,<\/span> which have a single strap across the instep, these stylish sneakers present a sporty yet polished vibe. That\u2019s why they\u2019re a perfect addition to your business casual wardrobe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As long as they\u2019re comfortable, Mary Jane sneakers can make you look and feel more put-together in a business casual outfit. The <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/uptown-mary-jane-flat.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uptown Mary Jane Flats<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Vionic are built for all-day support. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a more delicate shoe that pairs beautifully with skirts and dresses, the <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/alameda-mary-jane-flat.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alameda Mary Jane Flat<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a stylish alternative to the classic Mary Jane sneaker. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are one of the<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/6-best-sneakers-for-plantar-fasciitis\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best sneakers for plantar fasciitis<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Our podiatrist-designed styles have breathable uppers, adjustable straps, removable textile-wrapped footbeds, and flexible rubber soles. Mary Janes makes a great business casual shoe for women.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>CASUAL SLIP-ONS<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Casual slip-ons might be the most versatile type of dress sneaker, which is why they\u2019re ideal for a smart casual dress code. Both men and women can look effortlessly cool at work in a pair of slip-on tennis shoes. Since they don\u2019t give off an athletic vibe, laceless casual styles with textile or leather uppers can be styled with various <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outfits in a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">business casual setting.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check out the selection of casual<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/sneakers\/slip-on-sneakers.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> slip-on sneakers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Vionic. You\u2019ll discover numerous designs for men and women, including options with soft leather, suede, and eco-conscious cotton uppers. We carry statement slip-ons with fun embellishments, eye-catching metallics, animal prints, fierce camo, and bright colors, as well as neutral styles in black, white, gray, taupe, and tan. Plus, Vionic\u2019s slip-on sneakers are engineered to promote natural alignment by providing stability, arch support, and orthotic contouring. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you prefer a classic slip-on shoe like the <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/carson-slip-on-sneaker.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carson Slip-on sneaker<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or love the look of laces with the convenience of easy on-and-off wear like the <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/colbie-slip-on-sneaker.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colbie Slip-on Sneaker<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Vionic offers stylish options for everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>SNEAKER BOOTS AND BOOTIES<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sneaker boots and booties make perfect business casual shoes, as they combine sporty elements with fashion-forward streetwear aesthetics. They\u2019re a practical pick for fall and winter, and they\u2019re easy to dress up or down. We love Chelsea-style leather boots with active outsoles for a business casual look. For a more polished appeal, opt for leather sneaker booties with an elevated heel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Vionic, we carry leather sneaker booties and boots for men and women in a variety of styles. With supple nubuck and nappa leather uppers, they\u2019re definitely sophisticated enough<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">business casual setting.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When you browse our boot collections, you\u2019ll find lace-up booties, slip-on Chelsea boots, and chukka boots with performance outsoles, slip-on ankle-high boots with pull-tabs, and zip-up styles.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS IN SNEAKERS<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/heels-and-wedges\/heels.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High heels<\/span><\/a> <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span> dress shoes certainly have a place at the office, but if you can get away with sneakers, why not work them into the rotation? One of the best parts about wearing business casual with sneakers is that, if you walk or take public transportation to work, you don\u2019t have to change into your fancier shoes when you get there.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you know what types of sneakers work in an office setting, let\u2019s go over how to incorporate sneakers into your business casual attire. It can be tough to know exactly what to wear with tennis shoes at work. You don\u2019t want to get carried away with a business casual outfit that\u2019s too laid-back for the office, but you also want to avoid clashing with formal attire. Believe it or not, business casual sneakers can be worn with a dress, a skirt, a jumpsuit, slacks, menswear, dress pants, or jeans. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With a Dress<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/shoes-to-wear-with-dresses\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dresses and sneakers<\/span><\/span><\/a> make an excellent pair. For a feminine yet spunky look, opt for a maxi dress with laceless tennis shoes. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also love flared midi dresses with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfy <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sneakers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of ballet flats. A Bold dress shoe is a fun twist on a business casual shoe for women.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With a Skirt<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Like dresses, skirts can be styled with sneakers for a business casual dress code. However, we recommend a style that falls past your knees, like a high-waisted pleated skirt, a pencil skirt, or a flowy midi skirt. Sneaker booties, Mary Janes, or simple white sneakers are perfect for this look.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With a Jumpsuit<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though a romper might be a little too short and easy-breezy for the office, its long-legged cousin is a safe choice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you\u2019re looking for a <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/outfits-with-tennis-shoes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cute outfit with sneakers<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We\u2019re talking about a jumpsuit, of course, which can be paired with almost any business casual sneaker for an assertive yet approachable look. Throw on a blazer to complete the ensemble.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With Slacks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slacks, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tailored <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trousers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, chinos, khakis, dress pants\u2014whatever you want to call them, non-denim pants are business casual staples for men and women. And while you might think loafers, flats, or oxfords are best with slacks, sneakers are also an option. Try sneaker boots, casual slip-ons, or Mary Janes with your favorite tailored pants and a collared <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dress<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shirt <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or polo shirt on top.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With Menswear<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Menswear isn\u2019t just for men anymore, and it doesn\u2019t have to be worn with dress shoes. Both men and women can wear suits, separates, and dress shirts to the office. Not only that, but menswear actually looks great with tennis shoes, especially fashion sneakers and sneaker boots.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>With Jeans<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether jeans are allowed every day at your office or only on casual Fridays, pairing them with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable sneaker<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a no-brainer. The main thing to keep in mind is not making your work outfit too casual. Your best bet is sneaker boots or booties with dark-wash, black, or colored jeans.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"padding-top: 30px;\"><b>MAKE SNEAKERS WORK AT WORK<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before pairing your casual work outfits with sneakers, it\u2019s important to confirm they\u2019re an approved footwear style. If you\u2019ve seen one co-worker wear business casual with sneakers, you might think you\u2019re in the clear. But unless you see multiple people in your office wearing athletic sneakers or tennis shoes regularly, we suggest asking your boss or referring to your employee handbook. When it comes to work matters, it\u2019s always better to be safe than sorry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, when you do wear sneakers to the office, make sure they\u2019re clean and in good shape. This isn\u2019t the time to put on beat-up old sneakers, even if they\u2019re your favorite pair. Similarly, the rest of your smart-casual outfit should be clean, ironed, properly fitted, and free of holes. So, ripped jeans are most likely a no-go. Also, avoid athleisure clothes, sweats, hoodies, and other leisurely or athletic styles. So, are sneakers business casual? Short answer is yes, they can be, but the idea is to dress your best sneakers up, not down. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you choose to go with <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019re getting sneakers with <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/vio-motion-support\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vio Motion support<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that not only look great but also provide the exceptional support your feet deserve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Browse Vionic\u2019s impressive inventory of business casual<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/wear-to-work.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work shoes for women<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/are-sneakers-business-casual\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2621,2607],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fashion","category-health-wellness","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7050"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12451,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7050\/revisions\/12451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}