So you just landed a new office job and as you are reviewing the policies of the office, you see the dress code is considered business casual.

Knowing you’ll be on your feet most of the day, you quickly think of what you already have in your closet to fit the bill. The first thing that comes to mind are those Sperrys that you just love.

You wear them on the weekends to at your family get-together, kids softball game and just about anywhere else you want to look good, yet still be comfortable.

So you ask yourself “Could I wear my Sperrys to work?” Well, you may love them, but can they really be considered business casual?

Well, to answer that question, we first need to answer this one:

What does ‘Business Casual’ mean?

So this may seem obvious to some, but it can be hard to ‘read between the lines’ if you aren’t sure exactly what business casual means. So let’s start there.

According to Google, Business Casual is defined as “… a style of clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear, but is still intended to give a professional and businesslike impression.”

So now that we have a better understanding of what business casual implies, the question is:

Are Sperrys business casual?

My answer is: Yes! Think about Google’s definition of business casual. Basically, it’s saying anything that is still considered professional, however not too formal, like traditional business wear. Well, now let’s go a step further and think about what that means, ‘traditional business wear.’

What is ‘traditional business wear’?

Well, it is a more formal style than a casual one. For example, instead of wearing a pair of khakis and a blazer, you’ll probably be sporting dress pants and a suit coat.  Ladies, instead of stilettos, a lower chunky heel or flats. Men, a tailored suit, tie, and shiny dress shoes, you get the point.

Traditional business wear is above and beyond what you’d expect, and rarely come out of the closet unless you’re heading to the office or a business dinner party with the boss.

Now let’s go back to our definition of business casual. It is still professional, but with a more relaxed take on the word. In fact, businesses these days tend to be incorporating that business casual look these days, over the more traditional one.

Before you couldn’t walk into a bank without a sharp dressed man or woman greeting you in their business suit. Now, they actually have specific days to encourage the employees to dress ‘business casual’. And the truth is, this makes sense.

Having a more relaxed view of business wear can actually affect the impression you give off to a potential client or customer. Though a traditional look always represents professionalism, a more casual take can feel less intimidating to a client and even put a customer at ease.

That being said, it’s important when trying to complete the business casual look, to not go too casual, or else you can lose that professional vibe that is still extremely important.

So now that we understand a little more about what business casual means, and what it doesn’t, why can we say with confidence that Sperrys fit in the business casual realm?

First off, Sperry is not just any ‘casual’ brand. They were created with a purpose, in this case, with the ability to not slip and slide everywhere while sailing the high seas.

Now most of us today probably won’t be doing this is our Sperrys anyway, but the point stands clear- they were made with the consumer in mind, thus they not only satisfy their purpose but add to ours as well. And when it comes to style, Sperrys are like no other.

They were the world’s (yes, I said world) first boat shoe, meaning over time they have only improved not only in their comfort, but their style as well.

Let’s face it-boat shoes are the new trend and with good reason. They look great with most anything- jeans, skirts, shorts or business casual khakis. They are truly nautically inspired shoes, and anything nautical like these days is considered high-end and on trend.

Additional Reading: Can Sperrys Get Wet? – The Answer May Come As A Surprise

They are not like a typical sneaker shoe, where one may have to question whether they are professional enough for a day at the office, but instead provide a beautiful leather (in most cases) impression to your casual, but qualified look. So whether you are sporting boat shoes or a pair of loafers, Sperrys definitely check off the box when it comes to business casual.

Undecided before, but ready now to commit to a pair of Sperrys? Well if so, check out a few of my favorite picks from the brand- all business casual and ready to be taken out on the water, or to the office, it’s up to you!

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Authentic Original Shoes

These Authentic Original Top-Sider shoes from Sperry are not only a best seller but one of my personal favorites. They come in a variety of colors, some even two-toned, and are 100% leather. Most note the comfortability of these boat shoes, even over other brands and the easy ‘slide-in’ feature.

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Hampden Venetian Slip-On Loafer

Another great option if you’re shopping for a business casual look are these Hampden Venetian Slip-on loafers. They have great color options, especially for a professional setting, and really hit a home run in style. Made from leather and featuring a tough rubber sole, these loafers are an excellent choice for a day on the job.

Sperry Women’s Seaport Penny Loafer

Ladies, there are some great Sperry options out there for you too. Take for instance these Seaport Penny Loafers. Made from genuine leather material and with a wide array of color choices, you can’t go wrong wearing a pair of these beauties on the job.

Easy to dress up during the week, or dress down on the weekends, these are the pair in-between shoe, and perfect for the business casual workplace.

Final Thoughts…

So there you have it. Can you wear Sperrys on the job? Well if it calls for a business casual look, that the answer is a certain “Yes.” And let’s face it- the way we dress, whether for business or recreation can make either a good impression or a bad one.

That being said,  if you’re sporting a pair of Sperrys, you can be certain you’ll be making a great impression, right from day 1.

Which Sperrys do you sport at your business casual workplace? Let us know in the comments below.