When it comes to dressing for the office and business casual attire, there’s a delicate balance between professional and personal style. Finding the perfect office outfit doesn’t just involve selecting the right clothing — footwear and bags play a crucial role in elevating your look while ensuring comfort and functionality. Whether you work in a corporate setting, a creative agency, or a more laid-back environment, your choice of shoes and bags can make a huge impact on your overall appearance. In this guide, we'll dive into business casual and office styling options for both women and men, focusing on heels, loafers, flats, sneakers, and versatile bags—all in helping you build the perfect office wardrobe.
Office Styling 101 - Building the Perfect Business Casual Outfits
Both men and women have a variety of options to create a polished yet comfortable business casual outfit for the office environment. For women, heels and flats are classic choices—heels add a touch of elegance, while flats offer comfort without compromising style. Tote bags and handbags are versatile and functional accessories, perfect for carrying work essentials, while also adding a personal flair. Men, on the other hand, often gravitate toward loafers or dress shoes for a more formal office environment, though modern workplaces have embraced the sneaker trend for a relaxed yet stylish approach to business casual shoes for both men and women. A sleek backpack is a great choice for both men and women who need a functional, hands-free option without sacrificing professionalism. Whether you're dressing up or keeping it casual, the key is choosing shoes and bags that align with your personal style while maintaining a sharp, office-appropriate look. Let’s take a look at a few footwear and accessories from Rothy’s that are perfect for the office environment.
1. Footwear for the Office: Comfort Meets Style
When choosing office-appropriate footwear, comfort should be a priority, especially if you’re on your feet for most of the day. However, your shoes can still add a touch of elegance, sophistication, or casual chicness to your office look. Below, we’ll explore several popular office footwear options for women and men: heels, loafers, flats and sneakers.
Heels
Rothy’s heels are a classic footwear choice for women that combine elegance with comfort. Rothy’s has a variety of comfortable and sustainably stylish heels to choose from to complete your business casual looks. With their rounded toe and ankle strap, Rothy’s Mary Jane Heel adds a classic-inspired charm to any office outfit. If you’re looking for a sleeker option, Rothy’s High Point Heel is the perfect style, offering a pointed-profile and a comfortable low block heel that’s just the right height. These shoes are both comfortable and versatile enough to pair with tailored trousers, pencil skirts, or even midi dresses. The key to styling Rothy’s heels for the office is ensuring they strike the right balance between professionalism and style.
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What to wear with heels:
Pair your heels with a pencil skirt and blouse for a polished and feminine look. Alternatively, they work beautifully with a shift dress or tailored trousers for a smart, sophisticated vibe.
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Colors to choose:
Heels in neutral colors like black, nude, or navy are perfect for the office, as they can easily be paired with a wide range of outfits. However, don’t shy away from rich hues like burgundy or forest green if your office dress code allows for a bit of personality.
Loafers
Loafers and mules are a perfect combination of professional and practical, providing support while keeping your look polished. Rothy’s women’s loafers come in various styles, from a classic Driver to modern, sleek options like The Almond Loafer and The Lug Loafer. Rothy’s also has sleek, sophisticated loafers for men, like The Driving Loafer or The Ravello Loafer. These shoes are ideal for business casual or even more formal office environments, depending on the cut and design.
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What to wear with loafers:
Rothy’s loafers pair effortlessly with trousers or denim, a button-up shirt, and a blazer for a business casual outfit for the guys. For women, pair them with a-line skirts, dresses or denim jeans and a sweater when you want to keep things laid-back yet stylish.
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Colors and materials:
Black loafers are always a safe bet, offering a sleek, timeless look. Brown or tan colors can add a bit of warmth to your outfit, while loafers in muted shades like navy, charcoal or beige are great to mix into your color palette for a bit of freshness. You can also opt for a bolder pattern like leopard print loafers for women when styling your office look. When it comes to materials, Rothy’s leads in innovation, using sustainable materials to construct their loafers, from recycled plastic bottles to RWS-certified merino wool.
Flats
Rothy’s flats for women are some of the most comfortable and versatile footwear options for the office. With a wide range of styles, from ballet flats to pointed-toe profiles, Mary Janes and more, they offer the flexibility to dress up or down depending on the occasion. Flats are especially ideal for those who want to avoid the discomfort of heels without sacrificing style. Feel inspired to choose from a variety of options—The Point II and The Flat are classic silhouettes; or, you can try a trendy approach with The Max Square Mary Jane, The Double Buckle Mary Jane or The Ballet Flat.
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What to wear with flats:
Flats can be paired with virtually anything—from wide-leg trousers and blouses to pencil skirts and dresses. For a more polished look, go for pointed-toe flats that add a touch of sophistication. Ballet flats are perfect for a more casual, laid-back office look.
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Colors and designs:
A pair of classic black or nude flats is always a smart choice, but if you want to inject some fun into your outfit, try flats in metallics, pastel shades, or with chic embellishments like bows or knots.
Sneakers
Sneakers have evolved from athletic wear to an acceptable office footwear option, especially in casual or creative work environments. When styled correctly, sneakers can add an effortlessly chic touch to your office look, offering both comfort and an air of casual sophistication. Rothy’s sneakers for men offer a variety of style options, from The High Top Sneaker to The RS01 Sneaker. Rothy’s women’s sneakers also come in a selection of styles, from The Original Slip On to super comfortable Lace Up Sneakers.
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What to wear with sneakers:
For women in a business casual setting, pair your sneakers with tailored pants or a midi skirt. In more casual environments, sneakers can complement anything from dresses to cropped trousers or wide-leg jeans. For men, pair your sneakers with jeans or well-tailored trousers. Add a sweater or a button-down shirt. You can also dress it up your look with a sports coat or casual blazer.
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What to avoid:
While sneakers can be stylish, make sure to avoid overly sporty designs, flashy logos, or worn-out pairs. Stick to sleek, minimalist styles in neutral colors like white, black, or navy for a clean, professional look.
2. Office Bags: Functionality Meets Fashion
The right office bag is just as important as the right shoes—it’s both a style statement and a practical necessity. Whether you’re carrying your laptop, files, or personal items, choosing a work bag that’s versatile and professional is key. Here, we’ll cover three popular options: tote bags, backpacks, and handbags.
Tote Bags
Tote bags are an office staple, offering ample space and a sleek design that works for nearly every office environment. A well-crafted tote bag is both stylish and functional, and Rothy’s tote bags deliver in every way. The key is to choose a bag that’s roomy enough for your daily essentials, but not so large that it looks bulky or disorganized. At Rothy’s you can choose from a variety of tote bags to fit your needs, whether you are carrying your laptop or a small notebook, with practical interior pocket and zipper options available for added convenience.
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What to carry in a tote:
Tote bags are perfect for carrying your laptop, notebooks, pens, makeup essentials, and even a small lunch. With many available in structured designs, you can keep your items neatly organized without sacrificing style.
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Colors and materials:
Neutral tones like black, beige, or navy are always a safe bet for a polished look. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can opt for a soft pastel or a patterned design to add a bit of pizzazz to your outfit. Rothy’s tote bags are also made with recycled plastic bottles—which means not only are they stylish and functional, they’re also sustainable.
Backpacks
Backpacks are a functional and trendy work bag option for both men and women, particularly for professionals who need to carry a lot of items but don’t want to compromise on style. When choosing a backpack for the office, look for a design that’s sleek, structured, and made of quality materials. Avoid overly casual or sporty backpacks in favor of more elegant designs.
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What to wear with a backpack:
A chic backpack works well with a smart blazer and jeans or with more casual workwear, like a sweater, trousers and a tee. It adds a contemporary twist to your office look while still maintaining a professional aesthetic.
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Materials and colors:
Go for a sleek backpack in neutral shades that pair with any outfit. Rothy’s backpacks come in black, brown and burgundy, and they elevate the classic backpack style with a basketweave pattern that’s incredibly luxe. Plus, Rothy’s backpacks are sustainably made with recycled plastic bottles.
Handbags
A classic handbag can elevate any office outfit, making it look polished and put-together. While it may not offer as much room as a tote or backpack, a well-chosen crossbody or shoulderbag can be just as functional, especially if you only need to carry the essentials.
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What to carry in a handbag:
Keep your handbag neat and organized with just the essentials: your phone, wallet, pens, and a small notepad. You can also carry a compact makeup bag or your keys if needed.
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Colors and designs:
Neutral tones like black, beige, and brown are classic and versatile. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with bold colors or textures if your office culture allows for it. Rothy’s handbags come in a variety of sizes and styles, from chic crossbodies in luxe basketweave patterns to sleek handbags in muted tones.
3. Conclusion: The Best Footwear and Bags for the Office
When it comes to choosing the best footwear and bags for the office, the right combination of style and practicality is essential. If you’re looking for something polished yet comfortable, Rothy’s heels and flats are fantastic choices. For a more relaxed but still professional appearance, loafers and sneakers from Rothy’s offer a stylish alternative. As for bags, a well-chosen Rothy’s tote, backpack, or handbag can complement your office look while also being functional.
Ultimately, your footwear and bags should reflect your personal style while maintaining a level of professionalism suitable for your workplace. Whether you’re in a corporate environment or a more casual office, investing in versatile, quality pieces from Rothy’s will help you put your best foot forward every day.