Consider suede chukka/desert boots.

Since you're in the UK, here's an example:

https://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/products/2514.php

 

These aren't two extremes. Your Loake brogues would be exactly the right shoes for "smart casual".

However I recommend you to get a pair of desert boots like the ones SG 67 mentioned anyway, as 2 pairs of shoes aren't going to get you far.
Leather shoes should always rest at least one day between wearings with cedar shoe trees inserted.

 

I think either of the ones in the middle would do nicely. In fact, this picture could sum up your theoretical shoe wardrobe.

 

I wouldnt say the brogues are smart casual, those are something you would typically only wear to formal events. Had the same problem before : wanted something a bit smarter than sneakers for uni but formal shoes would be overkill. I ended up buying these : https://www.pediwear.co.uk/pediwear-collection/products/4976.php.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way but that's not smart casual; it's actually just plain hideous. People will see you and those white soles coming from a mile away. If you're able to cancel the order before it ships or otherwise return it when it arrives, I would strongly urge you to do so.

Unless you have a ton of shoes in rotation they will quickly wear out their welcome.

 

I bought these ages ago after asking for advice (IIRC, including here) and nobody said anything negative about the white soles. Your mileage may vary.

 

My comments would have been the same, but as I said, I mean nothing personal by it.

 

Your Loake brogues would be exactly the right shoes for "smart casual".

+1

I wouldnt say the brogues are smart casual, those are something you would typically only wear to formal events.

Bluchers are less formal than balmorals, and any sort of broguing decreases the formality, therefore his Loakes are certainly not appropriate for "formal events" IMO.

I wear my brown wingtip bluchers for smart casual all the time.

 

I would leave the high top sneakers to 12 year olds and people presently engaged in the act of playing basketball.

 

I would leave the high top sneakers to 12 year olds and people presently engaged in the act of playing basketball.

Exactly. Not only is it adolescent-level, but it's been clichéd since...well forever, or the sixties at least. Chukkas are a good choice, or Chelseas, and don't look "wrong" with Dainite or other weatherproof soles.

 

I wouldnt say the brogues are smart casual, those are something you would typically only wear to formal events. Had the same problem before : wanted something a bit smarter than sneakers for uni but formal shoes would be overkill. I ended up buying these : https://www.pediwear.co.uk/pediwear-collection/products/4976.php.

Have I entered an alternative AAAC Universe?

https://hotmeme.net/post/z3Z/there-s-no-place-like-home-help-me-ruby-slippers/ HotMeme.net

 

By formal i meant things like work. You would look very strange wearing brown brogues to uni for example, unless you are in business wear too.

 

I live in my PAs and Strands. On a rare, rare, rare occasions, I wear this pair.

Below is me.

 

My two favorite are shell, cigar LWBs and #8 LWBs. I also have a pair of burgundy medallion cap toe bluchers and the same shoe in black.

 

These look remarkably similar to the "Peal and Co." Snuff Chukkas I just bought from BB. Beautiful shoes!

Consider suede chukka/desert boots.

Since you're in the UK, here's an example:

https://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/products/2514.php

 

I've gone with suede bucks:

 

^ good call!

Versatile color and style.

 

For something slightly different, OP have you considered a brand like Heschung?

Most are still pretty casual, you won't mistake these for dress shoes, but they are certainly a step up from Chucks. I have two pairs of Heschungs and they definitely have their role in my shoe rotation.

It's a little more streetwear than this forum usually gets into, but if you are looking for something between Chucks and a wingtip blucher, there's always the classier sneaker route too.
Buttero: https://www.buttero.it/en/mens/?RwGal=true&nodi_ID=7751&language=1
Pantafola:
Epaulet:
Kent Wang: https://www.kentwang.com/shoes?cat=74
Common Projects:
National Standard:

 

Thanks for those who have replied.

@ gtlaw24 & SG67 - that's the kind of thing I had in mind, thanks. :cool2:

@ 3 Piece - thanks for the suggestion. I've had a couple of similar brown Adidas trainers. I think I need something a touch more formal to bridge the gap between the brogue and the trainer.

@ Question - sorry, not liking the white soles on those.

@ Roger P & Phyrpowr - For those of us who are less than 40 years old <cough>31<cough> and live in fashionable parts of the word, Converse are still very much worn on a day to day basis but appreciate your opinions nonetheless.

@Fred G Unn - Thank you for your suggestions, will check them out.

 

I've gone with suede bucks

I use a cheap pair of Bass saddle shoes myself. The round toe and matte finish along with the chunky sole separate them from being a dress shoe.

 

Consider suede chukka/desert boots.

Since you're in the UK, here's an example:

https://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/products/2514.php

This was my first thought as well...and exactly that model or the Loake Pimlico. The Kempton probably is better in this case, though.

By formal i meant things like work. You would look very strange wearing brown brogues to uni for example, unless you are in business wear too.

I'm not advocating going sockless, like in some of these photos, but I completely disagree that brogues don't work casually. There are well dressed men who actually consider these types of longwing brogues inappropriate for business wear.

I suspect part of the problem with the shoes in the original post (at least form the OP's perspective) is that perhaps they look too shiny and refined. Something like the AE Strandmoc with it's more matte finish might be what the doctor ordered (or momsdoc ordered...teehee! AAAC in-joke). Some may argue that the balmoral lacing on these is more "formal" than the open lacing on the example from the OP, but the rubber sole and leather take it back towards the casual, especially if you choose a lighter colour.

 

Well if you consider high tops to be fashionable, just get a bunch more. Please stay far away from unfashionable derbies, chukkas, PTBs and Chelseas, though. God forbid you select footwear that suggests you are past puberty. Not living in a fashionable part of the world, I am clearly unqualified to offer further assistance.

 

g3org3y,
You posted that you wanted something "smart casual" and an upgrade from what you're wearing now, but then go on to lecture us on how fashionable converse sneakers are?

Yeah I have to agree, if you're in high school and/or want to be viewed as someone stuck in perpetual adolescence then I suppose your smart casual look will be to get a pair of converse, keep them clean and bring them out for special occasions. While this may bolster your hipster cred, it won't do much else.

 

What's going on here then, eh?

Converse for grown men? What the...!

I'm outta here y'all.

 

Well I'm only 25 and live in NYC, which you would consider fashionable, and find converse to look absolutely ridiculous and childish on people. As do most of my peers. I like chukkas for casual, particularly shell cordovan in #8. They match jeans and chinos of all colors. If you want shoes then look at something similar to rush street or strandmoks

Converse may be fashion, but so is/was Thom Browne and similar suits.