Time to take “school shoes” out of the classroom: Now, they’re a cool and versatile piece that works especially well for office outfits. Wear them with trendy jeans or baggy trousers for a stylish yet comfortable look that’s full of personality.
While work style has relaxed for the most part in recent years, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking polished or put together. On the contrary, it means now there’s more room to play with the classics in a new way. And what could be more timeless than school shoes? We’re talking loafers, mary janes, derbies, oxfords, and the like. With them with more casual pieces, like jeans, for an outfit that feels modern, professional, and not at all boring.
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“School shoes” are basically all the footwear you’d associate with uniforms, study halls, and other academic aesthetics. In 2026, they’re on trend and being presented in new materials, unexpected colors, and other elevated details. They’re the perfect balance between formality and comfort, and they’re the kind of shoes that hold up the entire day—meetings, lunches, long commutes—without sacrificing style.
The most popular this season are loafers, buckled mary janes in both patent and matte leather, and clean-lined derbies and oxfords. These styles work incredibly well with jeans because they add structure. We’d go with mid-rise straight jeans, fluid wide-leg pants, or barrel-shaped denim to stand out. Classic washes are also back—medium blue, navy blue, and black—which is also perfect for the office.