Read more: 41 Dos and Don’ts for Getting Dressed for the Office
What business casual means for different industries
Exactly where your company falls on the business casual spectrum is largely dependent on what business you’re in. If you’re working at a boutique marketing, design, or architecture firm, chances are nobody is going to email HR if you wear a pair of jeans with an untucked oxford. However, if you’re logging long hours moving money around the markets, it’s likely that you should still steer clear of relaxed denim entirely.
If you’re not sure what it means at your job, look around the next casual team hang, and go with the flow. (If that hang hasn’t happened yet, take a look at everyone’s Monday outfits, and imagine what they would look like if they were 15 percent chiller.) Play it safe, and edit as you go. And most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable in whatever you choose. As with all dressing, that’s kind of the whole game.
What is business casual attire for men?
Let’s rule out the obvious before we get into the nuts and bolts. There’s no business place for hoodies, sweatpants, or anything that could be loosely defined as streetwear. Anything with rips, tears or holes is out, too. Save all of that for leisure time.
The good news is the pieces that do make the cut are insanely versatile, making any investment well worth it. You’ll want to take stock of your trousers, chinos and immaculate denim — all of them will fit the bill. Next up, inventory your button-ups, whether they be oxfords, poplin shirts, or dress shirts. (Some people might be able to get away with a polo depending on the office, but that’s not a guarantee.) Everything can be wrapped up with a classic blazer or a handsome sweater, too — just keep it clean and simple. Last but not least, don’t forget a well-crafted loafer or perhaps a minimalist sneaker. (And please, steer clear of the “fun” socks for work.)
Blazers for Anywhere but the Boardroom
Do you need a jacket to meet the business casual bar? No. Is it an extra style flex you can easily incorporate into your rotation? Absolutely. The ideal business casual jackets could never be mistaken for being the top half of a suit. Instead they’re made from more relaxed fabrics like tweed, corduroy, and cotton, which means they’ll harmonize with almost any kind of chinos, jeans, or professorial pleated pants.
One thing doesn’t change when you migrate from business to business casual: Shirts are still the anchoring hero of your work wardrobe. In an often waist-up, hybrid working world, they get the most airtime, and they’re a quick signifier that you take yourself seriously.
