Right now, millions of people everywhere are asking the same question as they get dressed for work: Are sneakers business casual? As offices and workspaces open back up, the search for business casual sneakers heats up. Don’t worry, we aren’t talking about your dad’s business casual shoes either. If you’re wondering which of your favorite adidas sneakers you can wear to work and impress your coworkers with, you’re in the right place. And when it comes to giving adidas-approved style advice for the office, who better to ask than the people that live and breathe the 3-Stripes: the employees of adidas North America. So, keep reading to see some of our favorite adidas business casual sneakers we wear to the office and get style inspiration for how you can rock your next casual office outfit.
Originals
You know them, you love them. Our Originals aren’t just regular shoes, they’re sneakers with decades of undeniable legacy behind them. That’s why they continue to be a staple today, even for the modern business casual with sneakers look. When thinking about a pair of business casual shoes that goes with everything, it’s got to be an Original. Iconic and easily recognizable, these styles include sneakers like Samba, Gazelle, Superstar, Stan Smith and more. No matter what your style is, these shoes are ready to go when it comes to business casual outfits. And one look around the adidas NAM office is proof. Everyone deserves to feel good and look good when they walk into the office, and a good first step is always with an Original.
Samba
When you think of Originals, odds are you might think of Samba. It’s true that Samba has been a style icon for decades, but does it hold up with a casual office outfit? The answer is always yes, and if you don’t believe us—take it from Brand Studio Copywriter Michael Williams.
“I personally love my Samba because they really go with anything. No matter what vibe I want to bring to work, Samba is definitely a go-to.”
Whether it’s paired with slacks, khakis, or jeans, you can always count on the Samba to give your outfit a classic and effortless look. And with many styles of Samba to choose from, including Samba OG, Samba Indoor, Sambae, and Samba LT to name a few, they’re sure to suit whatever casual office outfit that fits your style. If you need to find out what’s the best Samba fit for you, check out our Samba size guide and if you want more styling ideas regarding Samba no matter the occasion, explore our Samba Style Guide.
Gazelle
Another tried and true classic, Gazelle shines as one of the most versatile business casual shoes you can get your hands on. With bold colors and that forever iconic gum sole, it’s no wonder Gazelle and its variations are taking our office by storm. If you want to take your business casual look up a notch Gazelle is for you. Our resident office style guru and Horizontal Brand Communications Manager Ephriam Johnson had this to say about his pair of Gazelle:
“The Gazelle is a good everyday shoe, it’s cool because it speaks to my style and one of the easiest shoes to wear.”
What makes Gazelle special is its ability to effortlessly redefine a whole outfit the moment you put on the shoe. Before you plan your next business casual with sneakers look (or any look with Gazelle for that matter), take a moment to amplify your personal style with Gazelle, a sneaker truly made for all shades of you. If you’re looking for your perfect Gazelle fit, check out our Gazelle size guide.
Superstar
Introducing a timeless staple, made for the trendsetters and worn by icons. For decades Superstar has been a constant in every sphere of fashion and beyond from runway to street style. In terms of business casual sneakers, the shell toe legend that is Superstar shows no signs of stopping. If you want inspiration in styling your Superstar, check out our article showcasing our favorite outfits featuring Superstar. Or hear what Assistant Brand Communications Manager Delia Aspoor had to say about her pair of Superstar when we saw her in-office:
“I like wearing my Superstars because they’re the perfect vehicle for self-expression and originality. I can dress them up or down and through all the different styles I wear they remain timeless.”
Superstar is the perfect business casual shoe for when you want to make a bold but classic statement. If you need to find out how they fit, check out our Superstar size guide before you step out. No matter how you wear it, the Superstar has a long history of defining culture—and will be ready to continue doing so for decades to come.
Stan Smith
Inspired by the tennis legend himself, nothing quite captures adidas’ sports history legacy quite like Stan Smith. Widely regarded as one of our most comfortable Originals, Stan Smith offers a smooth and flexible design (not to mention that iconic tongue tab) that’s stood the test of time. Stan Smith is perfect for most business casual outfits, especially if you want something sophisticated but still noticeable. Our own Retail Marketing Manager Tomi Kosoko said this about his pair of Brain Dead x Stan Smith:
“The Stan Smith is a pretty timeless shoe in my opinion and I loved the collaboration with Brain Dead. Can't go wrong with them!”
When it comes to catching eyes in the office and elegantly tying together business casual outfits, Stan Smith is the sneaker for you. Always classy and comfortable, it’s one of the best business casual shoes available for everyone right now. Need to see what size is best for you? Discover our article breaking down sizing for Stan Smith. Want some more ways to rock your Stan Smith sneakers? Check out our article on how to wear Stan Smith sneakers and see how people all over the world are rocking a true classic.
Sports Style
You heard it here first; sports style is here to stay. The perfect balance between athletics and aesthetics, sports-inspired style is quickly becoming the dominating trend in fashion and making its mark in the business casual sneakers world. For those who are always on the move at work, finding some sports style business casual shoes might be exactly what you need. At adidas, we specialize in comfort and control, updating our sports style silhouettes for a new age of office casual outfits. Around our North American office, the sports style wave is in full effect, as employees are keeping their stride without sacrificing style as they move from meeting to meeting. If keeping your business casual with sneakers look clean with a flare of sport is your vibe, keep reading to see how adidas employees are wearing sports style business casual shoes and how you can elevate your next look.
Adistar Cushion
Nothing says comfort like Adistar Cushion. Built for a maximum feel with a retro early 2000s look, the Adistar cushion is making a name for itself as a preferred sports style business casual sneaker for employees at adidas. If pairing your office casual outfit with a shoe that’s going to keep up with you during a long day at work is what you’re looking for, you’ve found it. The Adistar Cushion excels as a business casual shoe because of its mix of textures and highlighted colors, adding a layer of versatility not seen in many sports style shoes. Whether you dress it with pants or shorts, the Adistar Cushion is ideal for pulling together your office look without having to sacrifice supreme comfort. To give you a glimpse of the Adistar Cushion in real life, we caught up with Brand Communications Manager Ray Gibson in between meetings and got a photo of his Song for the Mute x Adistar Cushion.
Adistar Control 5
Need a sports style shoe that’ll look good no matter what your office look is? Enter the Adistar Control 5, the sneaker that lives and breathes sport. Designed with supreme traction and a dynamic silhouette that cuts down on chunk without losing shape, Adistar Control 5 is one of the most popular up-and-coming sports style shoes on the market. When it comes to sports-inspired business casual sneakers, few offer the range that Adistar Control 5 does. With metallic highlights and a shape that won’t get in the way of your overall outfit silhouette, it is ideal for those wanting to make a subtle statement with their shoes, while maintaining that signature adidas comfort. Demand Planner Everardo Solis gave us this when asked about his pair of Adistar Control 5:
“It’s a shoe that not only looks good but feels good. I like that I can wear them with any outfit and I know I’ll be comfy all day.”
The Low-Profile Look
The trend that everyone is talking about. Sleek and bold silhouettes, made to shake up the business casual world. That’s right, we’re talking about low-profile sneakers. These classy little sneakers are everywhere right now, from your favorite office duty models to some of the biggest spaces in fashion. Want to bring your low-profile look to the office? You’re in luck because adidas has some of the biggest low-profile sneakers that style chasers everywhere can’t get enough of. Whether it’s Japan, Tokyo, or Taekwondo, low-profile sneakers were made for those wanting a subtle style nod to add to their business casual outfits.
Tokyo
Nothing brings a business casual outfit together quite like a low-profile sneaker and no low-profile sneaker is quite like Tokyo. With roots in sport, Tokyo’s sleek design allows it to flawlessly elevate any look, especially those business casual outfits. Whether it’s a routine day of meetings or a big presentation day, you can always count on Tokyo to keep you comfortable and give your outfit a boost via premium materials and chic minimalist frame. We met up with Visual Merchandising Manager Tanya Demidenko to get a picture of how she styles her Tokyo for a day at the office and get her thoughts on the sneakers:
“I love Tokyo's slim, low-profile design and retro look!”
The Business Casual Sneaker Renaissance
In today’s world, the business casual sneaker is changing right before our eyes and adidas is leading the charge. With so many styles to choose from, there are endless ways to express yourself at work and let your style shine. We here at adidas want you to look and feel good when it comes to your office fit, so next time you get dressed for work and think about what shoes you want to wear around your workplace, think the 3-Stripes.