Boots as Business casual?

[bratch]

This probably varies from office to office but I thought I'd get everyones opinion.

First off I will be working as a Petroleum Engineer for an E&P company in OKC.

My current "work" shoes are leather Sketchers things but they've seen better days so I'm thinking about getting a pair of boots to wear to work and in general. I will be in khakis and polos almost every day at work.

Do you think a pair of Red Wings would be acceptable? Some fancy Ostrich?

[TarpleyG]

I'm from Texas and you are in OK.  It is almost expected for folks to wear boots, especially for business casual.  I have seens guys in suits wearing boots.  To me, they are just too uncomfortable.  I have huge calves :-)

Greg

[Harold Tuttle]

we have waifs in flip flops as business casual

[Ben]

Like Harold,  I see people in flip-flops in my .gov office as business casual. I'm thumbs up with the boots though. I did khakis, polo or dress shirt, and boots at a previous job where the dress code was a bit more formal, and no problemo there. In fact because I had to go out to field sites a lot where steel toes were required, I often wore the Red Wing "semi-dressy" cowboy boots with the steel toes. Sounds like you may have the same potential issue given your job.

[roo_ster]

Red Wings are good-to-go in business casual.

And comfy.

[garrettwc]

We are business casual at our office (software co). Most people come in their khakis, a sweater, and Doc Martens or Teva sandals. You should be just fine in boots.

[pauli]

i've been wearing (polished) work boots as business casual for years. wasn't even an issue at exxonmobil headquarters, which is my personal gold standard for acceptable business attire.

[Azrael256]

In proper polite society terms, you should not wear boots with a suit unless you are a cattle rancher or a Texas Ranger.  For business casual, it should be just fine.

As for me, I have a pair of nice leather combat boots that don't see real outdoor duty and stay spiffy for business casual.  As a rule, I reserve cowboy boots for riding and general ranch work that does not require lots of walking on concrete.  Too uncomfortable for that.

[charby]

I wear tennis shoes as business causal dress, no one has every said a word. Tie goes on and nice polished shoes go on.

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

In the Greater Ark-La-Tex Sphere of Influence, including Oklahoma, cowboy boots are perfectly acceptable as business attire with a suit, unless some New Yorker with a GQ in his hip pocket came down and changed the rules.

I've been wearing Ariat boots as business casual for the last four some-odd years without a raised eyebrow.  I also own several pairs of M.L. Leddys that were made for me.  I think the main things  to consider are 1). are they appropriate to the rest of your apparel and 2). are they polished?

Regards,
Rabbit.

[cfabe]

I wear black leather work boots with business casual. I should probably hit them with a little shoe polish as after a year they're starting to look a little ratty.

[El Tejon]

My father wears elf boots.  He digs elk skin cockroach crunchers.  

I've wore them and have to admit they are comfy.  I just won't be caught in public in them!:D

[mfree]

*shrug* I'm not terribly sure I even remember the dress code here anymore, I stopped caring a while back. But, I'm sure boots would be fine, since I wear jeans all the time anyways.

In the summer, it's khakis... the jeans are warmer for the weather now.

[bratch]

Thanks guys.  Sounds like I'll be going boot shopping once my scholarships come in in Jan.  

I have seen more than 1 person in boots and a suit but I have a pair of square toed shoes for my suits.

Pauli,

If you don't mind what were you doing at EM HQs?

[Standing Wolf]

n the Greater Ark-La-Tex Sphere of Influence, including Oklahoma, cowboy boots are perfectly acceptable as business attire with a suit, unless some New Yorker with a GQ in his hip pocket came down and changed the rules.

Aren't boots mandatory in Texas?

[pauli]

bratch, i was variously collecting phones, moving pcs, or performing an inventory for emre. they like contractors who already know the building, so i've done a lot of contracts out there.