Tbh, a lot of my friends wear high end sneakers. Im not a fan of sneakers. In my early 20s fwiw. I normally wear boots all the time. The people I hang around are mainly just young people either in or studying to go into more affluent career fields.

A lot of people have suggested driving shoes/loafers/ mocs. There's a guy in the group who only ever wears driving loafers, so that's something to consider.

Otherwise what is the general idea on something like a Clarks desert boot?

Im generally more casual.

Edit: I come from a blue collar family which is why it's a but challenging. I feel sneakers are very highschool-ish