With the casualization of business attire, we're seeing changes in how people choose their footwear. So, how is the latest "business casual" style perceived? We decided to ask female employees at Mitsukoshi Isetan, using real-world examples, "What would you think if a colleague or boss came to work dressed like this?"

The group consisted of four female employees from various departments, including retail and office work, all of whom have opportunities to interact with men's fashion both professionally and personally. Before the discussion, we asked them some casual questions, and they all said they regularly check out men's shoes. When asked if they really stare at men's feet that much, they replied that they can't help checking them out on stairs and escalators at train stations.



The points they check are incredibly detailed, including "the balance and color coordination with the outfit," "whether the shoes are properly maintained," "whether the heels are worn down unevenly," and "whether there is any sand or mud stuck to the edges." Since men's shoes are worn and get dirty differently from women's shoes, they naturally pay attention to these details. There was also the opinion that "people who properly maintain their shoes seem to be thoughtful and considerate." Indeed, these are comments that men can take note of. We asked these women to give their candid opinions on the five outfits we presented.

1. Give a classic suit a fresh twist with tassel slip-ons.

He's wearing a chalk-stripe navy suit with a London stripe shirt. By choosing a solid tie, he's deliberately coordinating the V-zone with stripes on stripes in varying shades of blue. With a flannel suit, he's also using a wool tie, creating a warm impression through the texture of the materials.

The shoes worn here are tassel slip-ons from Jalan Sriwijaya. While lace-up dress shoes would normally be the choice, pairing them with these currently most popular footwear items creates a fresh and stylish suit look.

Black shoes are easy to style, even if they have embellishments or designs.

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I think a suit with thicker stripes from Toguri looks stylish.
Miyazaki, I understand. Thin stripes give off a meticulous image, don't they?
Honda: I like the meticulous nature of people. They seem serious too.


The thin stripes on the Ogura suit give the impression of a suit worn by a businessman who likes a neat and tidy look. I think the chalk stripes are meant to be fashionable.
Toguri: People who wear thicker stripes on their suits seem to have a strong sense of style.
I hope that when it comes to Honda suits, people will choose colors and patterns that suit their position and personality.
Toguri's suit has stripes on the shirt, but what do you think about him also wearing striped socks?
Miyazaki: Matching patterns in a similar way seems difficult to balance.
Perhaps it's because Honda's suit and shirt are navy and light blue. What would it look like if they were gray?
I feel like the impression of Miyazaki Gray varies from person to person.
Honda can project a calm and composed image, right?
Maybe people think black Honda shoes are a safe bet. Actually, I think they might even increase your likeability.
Miyazaki , you're wearing loafers here, not lace-up shoes.


Toguri: I think these shoes are cute. Wearing tassel loafers with a suit to the office might not be the most traditional choice, but I think this kind of style adds a touch of sophistication.
If you wear Miyazaki tassel slip-ons, it makes you look like you're dressing stylishly in a suit.
Toguri: That's right. I feel like lace-up shoes give a more mature impression.
If Miyazaki were to choose his first pair of shoes, black shoes would probably be the easiest to wear.
If the shoes are black, I think it's okay even if they have some design on them. If they're brown and have a design, it's difficult to match them with a suit.
Toguri : Ah, I know what you mean. Those gradient or tie-dyed shoes really bring out the personality of the person wearing them, don't they?

Perhaps tassel slip-ons are a good choice precisely because it's Ogura black. It's not just shoes; balance is important when it comes to accessories, isn't it?
I think pocket squares are cute, even among Miyazaki's accessories. In this person's case, the simple color is nice. It seems to be a subtle accent.
Honda: I like people who use pocket squares to add a pop of color. I think it's fine to have something with a little pattern, too.

2. Pair a trendy monochrome style with classic loafers.

He's paired a checked double-breasted jacket with a black turtleneck knit sweater. The trousers are made of a stretch-blend sports material, but they have a carrot-shaped silhouette with pleats at the waist. If he had worn straight black slacks here, it would have been a very ordinary style, but the relaxed, wide silhouette of the trousers creates a modern look. He's finished off with standard coin loafers. By deliberately avoiding anything flashy and opting for classic black shoes, he emphasizes a stoic, monochrome image.

Loafers might be the most versatile shoes that can be worn in any situation.

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I think what's great about Honda 's sophisticated monochrome style is how she skillfully incorporates patterned items.
Miyazaki's outfit feels well put together because she's limited herself to just one patterned item. Focusing on the jacket was probably the right decision.
Toguri: You 're right. This checkered jacket is cute, isn't it?
Miyazaki : Sports pants are really in style these days. They're comfortable to wear and I think they go well with pretty much any material.
Those are Toguri jersey pants, right? They look really comfortable.
It doesn't look out of place when combined with Miyazaki Fuyu's materials, and the silhouette has a beautiful drape, giving it a fashionable look, right? So, what about the footwear...?


Kokura : Here, loafers are the way to go.
Miyazaki : If you're wearing a jacket, loafers are basically fine. Loafers are worn by people of all ages, aren't they?
It seems like there's no outfit that doesn't go well with Toguri loafers. They're such versatile shoes, aren't they?

Men from Ogura might have a student-like image. But they look great on adults too, don't they?
You know how Junichi Miyazaki wears loafers barefoot? I think that kind of effortless look is the mark of a true fashion expert.
I think Toguri loafers are just the right shoes in many ways, suitable for people of all ages.
Ogura : And if you pair it with pants with a wide silhouette like these, it definitely works as a trendy and fashionable look.
Honda's style is simple but not too rigid, giving off the image of a well-mannered and intelligent man. His image is a perfect balance of refined elegance and casualness, which feels natural and makes him very likable.
Toguri : I think it's good to relax and not force anything. Loafers don't give off a pretentious vibe, so I think they're shoes that can be worn in a variety of situations.

3. Rubber-soled shoes to balance the volume of the tweed.

Even a trendy suit set can look much less businesslike and more casual when made from home tweed. The single-breasted peaked jacket has a classic shape, but the trousers have shirring at the waist and a relaxed tapered silhouette. While using British-style materials, the tailoring is in a modern Italian style. So, I paired it with a crew-neck knit as an inner layer and added a scarf as an accent. I chose voluminous shoes to balance well with the substantial feel of the tweed.

Men who can coordinate their footwear well make a good impression.

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Miyazaki in a tweed suit?
They call it the Toguri setup, right? Is this what you wear to work?
Wearing just a knit sweater under a Honda jacket seems simple and modern.
Toguri: I like seeing men in ties, so pairing them with a crew neck is refreshing. Personally, I might prefer turtlenecks.


Miyazaki : I think it looks neat around the neckline and gives a clean impression, which is nice.
I think the fact that it's made of Honda tweed material is really stylish.
Miyazaki: Using seasonal ingredients is important, isn't it?
Honda: People who change the material of their suits with each season are really stylish, aren't they?
I think it's important for men to have clothes that are appropriate for each season and to choose the right outfit for each one. I believe that's a fundamental aspect of dressing well as an adult man.

Kokura Ashimoto shoes are a common sight around town. They're cute with their chunky shape, and the voluminous rubber soles really draw attention to the feet.
Toguri: Don't you think it would be difficult to balance overly bulky shoes with the length of your pants?
I bet Ogura will choose a slightly shorter length, something that shows just a bit of her ankles. It would probably work well with a more polished outfit too.
Honda: I think people who can strike a good balance in that regard are the ones who are stylish.
How about using Miyazaki socks as an accent color?
If Toguri added a touch of color as an accent, it might look a little more stylish and cute.


When Honda isn't wearing a shirt as an inner layer, a scarf can be used as an accent.
That's Ogura Losange, right? You can hang it inside the collar or tie it around the collar.
Would you recommend this to people who are still hesitant to wear a suit without a tie?
I think this is an easy item to incorporate into a Honda-style setup to make a difference.
If a grown man like Ogura were to wear it, it might look stylish.
I think Miyazaki 's use of scarves gives off a sophisticated vibe, which is great. This guy, too, has deliberately avoided using color, instead adding a subtle accent. Matching the color and design to his suit would create a more cohesive look.

4. Add punched cap dress shoes to an American traditional look.

He's wearing a navy blazer with a chambray button-down shirt and tie. The tie's downward-sloping stripe pattern gives it an American traditional feel. While coin loafers would be the classic choice for footwear, he's deliberately opted for dressier lace-up shoes. Paying attention to these small details prevents American traditional style from looking dated. I wonder if you'll notice that he's left the shirt collar button undone.

People who are proficient in using standard items make a good impression.

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Ogura : Personally, I like American traditional style, so I have a good impression of this style.
Toguri is really good at this. Even though she uses items of various colors, it all comes together nicely.


Even with Honda , blazers have a strong image of being school uniforms, so they seem difficult to pull off.
Wearing sneakers with Ogura slacks might make you look like a high school student's uniform. If you pair them with leather shoes, I think you can create a more refined and mature look.
Toguri: I do remember seeing a lot of high school students wearing blazers and sneakers (laughs).
Since it's Miyazaki , perhaps lace-up shoes are the way to go here? They might give a much more refined impression than loafers.

Toguri: I think people who wear these kinds of dress shoes properly when they should are really well-mannered.
I'm relieved that I can introduce him to Honda's parents (lol).
Ogura owning proper shoes suggests she has a sense of responsibility as a working adult or a responsible adult.
I don't think there's anyone who only owns Toguri sneakers, but I often hear people say they have trouble finding shoes to wear to formal occasions like weddings and funerals.
Miyazaki : Earlier, I heard that men are wearing fewer leather shoes these days. I think it's important to have a reliable pair of shoes for occasions when you need to look sharp, even if you usually wear sneakers with a casual style.
It's about whether you've anticipated what Ogura will do and prepared accordingly, right? That kind of thing is important.
I think Honda should definitely own a pair of these serious-looking shoes.
Miyazaki: Nowadays, are "punched cap toe" shoes, which have holes in the toe area, as popular among men as "straight tip" shoes?
Toguri: I think there's a basic dress code, but knowing that, it's fine to dress up a little. These days, people aren't so strict about dress codes.
Honda: I think you could wear these shoes to a wedding, a funeral, or even to the office. Of course, you'd need to take good care of them.
Miyazaki's design isn't overly elaborate, and it looks easy to coordinate. I wonder if this is a standard item too.


Kokura Americana style is surprisingly difficult to coordinate because it relies so much on classic items.
Toguri: I think people who can wear basic, classic clothes in a stylish way are really fashionable.
I think people who can wear Miyazaki's signature clothes well make a good impression.
The Kokura standard is something that never looks bad no matter how you wear it, right?
Honda 's clothing style is very important because it creates a sense of security. I think it's one of the things women look for in men.
Having the foresight and reassurance to anticipate future developments, like in Ogura, is really important, isn't it?

5. Tighten up the relaxed feel of a knit jacket with leather shoes.

This is a casual, monochrome combination of a relaxed knit jacket and gray drawstring easy pants. The inner layer appears to be a plain shirt from a distance, but it actually has a micro houndstooth one-piece collar. The one-piece collar, with its moderately open neckline, can also be worn with a tie, so if your workplace allows casual attire, you could wear this to work as is. In that case, a lightweight, plain-toe sneaker would maintain office elegance and tighten up the style so that it doesn't look too casual.

A jacket and leather shoes can tone down the casual, weekend vibe.

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Miyazaki : I think knit jackets are a trendy item, but if you wear them too casually, they tend to look too much like a weekend outfit.
Wearing a T-shirt like the one from Toguri might be too casual depending on your workplace, so you should be careful. Wearing a shirt underneath is probably the right choice.


Ogura : Maybe he's wearing leather shoes to tighten up the look because sneakers would make it look too casual?
Honda: That's right, even something as simple as your footwear can change the impression you give.
I think there are companies these days that would be okay with someone like this working in an office in Kokura .
Miyazaki: I think it depends on the job , but for a casual day, a knit jacket would be fine, and for a slightly more polished style, it might be a fresh look.


Honda Koba's hair is brown, isn't it?
Miyazaki: I think a design like this would be cute, don't you?
I like the understated design of these shoes. Oh, but these shoes are incredibly light!
The soles of these Ogura shoes are made of a sponge-like material, which makes them light. Plus, the insoles are removable. Is this a material commonly used in sneakers?
Those are Miyazaki Cup insoles, right? They're really comfortable to walk in, so I wear these kinds of sneakers when I'm visiting trade shows.
Those Toguri Junior High boots are really thick. Do they make you 5cm taller when you wear them?
A 5cm difference in height for a man like Honda can really change his overall appearance, right?

Miyazaki : I wonder if men also wear heels on days when they want to look their best? I also wear heels on days when I have an important business meeting (laughs).
Honda: On days when I tell myself, "I'm going to do my best!", I feel really motivated.
Ogura: On days like that, my clothes change too. I feel like today is different from usual. I wonder if men also wear these kinds of shoes when they're going to be in a position to be serious about work or on a date.
Miyazaki: If someone is wearing a knit jacket on their day off, I think they look put-together. Lately, there are a lot of people wearing outdoor, sports, and street-style clothes, right?
Toguri: I think it depends on the restaurant, but when you have a restaurant reservation, it would be nice if you could wear something appropriate for the occasion, like a jacket.


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