Canadian electro-funk band Chromeo has released an album men’s Business Casual Clothes. In addition to being a name that seems to contradict itself, “men’s business casual” is also a dress code. It would be best if you weren’t relaxed while doing business.
That wasn’t a brilliant idea. Who came up with it?
According to Josh Sims, author of Men of Style, “Men’s Business-casual clothes is one of those silly dress codes that confused people before it did anything to make them feel more at ease.” “On the plus side, it changed ideas about what men could or should wear to (white collar) work, giving rise to the breakdown of office dress codes over the last 20 years, especially since the tech boom.”
When the executive chairman of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, can wear jeans, a T-shirt, and shoes to work, as old-fashioned as MySpace can seem, is an example of business casual.
But it’s not necessary to wear a coat just because you can. Money is one of the last fields where style still matters, so don’t wear it there. You should still dress up, but not as much.
5 ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR MEN’S BUSINESS-CASUAL CLOTHING
1. ASK THE CHINOS
Even though Dockers wrote a book about business casual, They are still a must-have: chinos, or “khaki pants,” as our American friends call them. In contrast to jeans, which are often seen as too casual for work, chinos, which are more commonly worn by soldiers, are seldom unsuitable.
Contrary to popular belief, light colours like green are an exception. Darker legwear is not only safer and more formal, but it also makes you look slimmer and longer.
Making them dressier with wrinkles, creases (but only down the middle), and a tab closing like on pants is more accessible than rolling them up.
2. BLAZER WITHOUT A STRUCTURE: LUCA FALONI LINEN BLAZER
Even though suits aren’t as common as they used to be, they are still the universal sign of “at work.” Still, guys who dress in business casual don’t just remove their ties; they also cut off their two-piece suits.
Sims says, “Even tough jobs like banking and law are getting rid of the canvassing and padding in favour of something much softer.”
A blazer is less formal than a suit, and an open-front jacket is even less formal. Forms that are bumpy, ribbed, made of a technical fabric that scrunches up, or even a jersey that looks like a sweatshirt are more likely to do this.
It’s possible to look like you’re going to the office in a T-shirt, jeans, and shoes. It’s almost like they’re jackets instead of fitted clothes.
3. IS TO MEN OXFORD SHIRT FOR MEN
Like a jacket without structure, an Oxford button-down is a shirt. A cotton-poplin Jermyn Street neck brace doesn’t look as good with pants or jeans as this designer piece of business casual clothing does.
Think about the soft collar on a casual shirt. A narrow collar looks more modern and less preppy, but an enormous tie might not fit. Unless you don’t wear ties or are a cowboy, that’s not a big deal. But it does make it harder to dress in different ways.
When it comes to the tails, you won’t be able to tuck them in for a dressier look if they’re too short. Still, when they’re too long, they’ll look very “dressy” when not tucked in.
4. A POLO SHIRT FROM NEEM LONDON CALLED THE ZQ MERINO LONG SLEEVE POLO
Polos, like khakis, are the perfect example of business casual clothing. Because of this, they have gotten a bad reputation as being only worn by middle-American managers and are notoriously uncomfortable to wear.
Due to its collar and partially buttoned design, Although it looks like a dressy shirt and a casual t-shirt since it was made for sports, it’s probably more like a casual shirt.
Adding long sleeves or moving from cotton to a knitted fabric like merino wool can make the polo more appropriate for the office.
This pattern looks sporty but classy, like Roger Federer. Logos should not be too many because you should only work for your company. Instead, use a small chest sign.
5. SMART TRAINER: BLOWOUT OF OLIVER CABELL
The sarcastic tone of the cover According to the Official Silicon Valley Handbook, “Econo-brand athletic sneakers” (which were Nike) were already being worn to work in 1983. Since then, creps have come a long way.
An essay by journalist Dylan Jones was just published about “white-rimmed trainers taking over our streets”—and Mayfair in particular. Northampton’s best are now stacked on top of each other like gym gear. These pimp sneakers look like other shoes because they have a dark leather or suede upper, a slim profile, and a clean design.
If you choose ones without the signature white rim, they look even more like other shoes.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MEN’S BUSINESS CASUAL DRESSES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. ORGANIZE YOUR WORK CLOTHES
The truth is that a jacket by itself is not as dressy as a suit. But remember that a jacket with gold buttons and two breast pockets is still way too dressy for smart casual.
Try to find a jacket that isn’t too stiff and doesn’t have much or any padding on the shoulders when shopping for one. It sounds more laid-back and modern when the length is a little shorter.
The best brands for this are Italian ones like Boglioli, Barena, and Aspesi. You can also find good ones at high-end places like Reiss and J.Crew.That’s because soft materials like boiled or Merino wool are used to make good open jackets like cardigans.
There are even ones that are knitted or made of cotton. Even though they’re not dressy, they look better than a jacket.
Bear this in mind, Zuckerberg.
2. PUT ON YOUR JACKET
A shawl-collar sweater is a good business casual clothes option if even the most casual tailoring style feels too stiff. It would be best to avoid chunky stitching, outdoorsy toggles, and folky patterns—you must work after all.
Another type of “workwear” is a chore jacket, a Denim jacket that can work if they’re dark-washed and not worn down, but this one is more like a blazer and, therefore, more stylish.
This light bomber can also be worn as a jacket because it looks like a military outfit. Choose a dark colour like blue and a fabric that isn’t very useful, like wool, cotton, or linen, instead of the usual shiny nylon.
Although this list is pretty casual, you might want to wear a dressier button-up shirt with it instead of a T-shirt and pants or chinos instead of jeans.
3. WORK WITH YOUR TEAM
A catalogue model looks great in a V-neck sweater and an open-collared shirt. A crew-neck style is more fashion-forward and sporty.
There’s no need for a tie anyway. You can even play it up a notch with a knit with stitching that looks like the ‘V’ on the neck of a sweatshirt. Wearing an authentic jersey sweatshirt instead of a knit can also make your jacket and pants look less nerdy if they’re thin enough.
In the same way, you could wear a knitted jacket or a track top with a zipper.
They feel more polished and formal because of the fabric, but they have a bit of an edge thanks to the military/athletic shape and gold hardware.
4. DRESS DOWN WEEKLY
A tightly tailored blazer is too much for smart casual, and the same goes for a Jermyn Street shirt with a stiff collar. It’s better to wear a soft-collared button-down shirt made of Poplin that is too shiny and should be changed to Oxford fabric.
Once more, button-down shirts can make you look like you belong in a stock picture. Changing the clothes from Oxford to chambray or denim makes them look more exciting and gives them a ranch-hand look. On the other hand, a grandfather shirt or one without a collar looks more current, and you didn’t even forget your tie. If you don’t want to wear a tie with your shirt, cut the ends off.
Although it’s not quite a shirt or a T-shirt, a polo is a good option, especially if it has long sleeves and is made of a better material, like merino wool. This can also be worn under a jacket as an alternative to a button-down shirt.
Another easy way to dress smart-casual is with a T-shirt. Some aren’t very good, some are too thin, and some have collars that look more like undershirts than Geordie Shore shirts. Finding the right one to wear with a jacket can be hard. If you don’t know what to buy, get many of The North Face’s plentiful, cheap Supima cotton jackets.
5. NOT DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
There are settings on a DJ’s mixing console that represent the different parts of a smart-casual outfit. When some are turned up all the way, the others should be turned down just enough to keep the balance but not so much that they don’t sound good together.
Allow us to say that you have on a jacket, a shirt, and brogues. Pants that fit just right might make you look too bright for that outfit. You can avoid looking too casual by wearing fitted pants instead of a bomber jacket, T-shirt, and shoes. To change the level, you can switch out the shirt for a T-shirt or the brogues for shoes.
When pants are being correctly made, you should be careful with any material that is too thin or shiny. It will look better with jeans and other casual clothes if you wear something beefier, more textured, and less suit-like. Somewhat dressy but not too fancy, these shoes go with pants and shorts.
Crease and wrinkles are better than a flat front and roll-ups if you want to look more put-together. Their looks will be less like Dad’s if they are made smaller. And now that athleisure is popular, you can get pants and shorts with a drawstring waist like joggers. They’re now more relaxed, up-to-date, and comfortable. These look best with a shirt, polo, or T-shirt that is not tucked in.
Some joggers look more like pants you can wear when you want to dress up. The waistband is tight, there are no ankle cuffs, and even wrinkles and folds. Although, if your game isn’t very tight and your boss has no strict dress code, it’s safer to wear pants.
6. WEAR SOME WORK CLOTHES
If the jeans aren’t too dark (which makes them less competent) or too worn out (which makes them more smart), you shouldn’t wear them to a smart-casual job. Wear dark blue pants, preferably selvedge denim, according to most style guides.
That hasn’t been washed. Blue is sometimes too bright, but they’re not always wrong. It’s smarter to wear black because the stitching and rivets are generally the same colour, but they’re also more rock ‘n’ roll. Another surprisingly classy colour combo is black and navy.
Stay away from jeans with too many unnecessary details and avoid knee-rips; a clean, modern pair will go better with your simple, normcore outfit. Turn-ups, like chinos, make any pair of jeans and any look more casual right away.
7. VISIT THE FOORSIE INDEX
Usually, a smoother, shinier, and sleeker shoe is better, and the other way around. So, brogues are a good choice for smart casual wear. However, a thick Derby can look like Dr Martens if you want something more current.
In a smart-casual setting, shoes can be tricky, just like T-shirts. Luckily, more and more “dress” sneakers usually have a dark leather upper and a white sole. There is a certain level of cleanliness that makes white sneakers look good. They should not be dirty and should also be very clean.
Smoothness is another thing to think about with any shoe. Wide-dress shoes are fine because trainers are already casual, but high-tops are too casual. Styles neatly cross the smart-casual line (or hyphen) with little branding and stitching, which can fade quickly.
8. GET COLLECTED
Any of those looks could work with a soft leather bag. But a backpack will look better than a messenger bag in a business casual office, where a messenger bag might look too young. Purchase an adult one in a dark colour, maybe made of leather to make it look more sophisticated, and with suitable hardware, like solid zippers.
Switching styles on some hybrid providers is possible if you’re a man who has to go from brilliant to relaxed. For a more business-like look, look for a bag with a top handle.
9. SET THE TIMER
Even pants and a T-shirt can look more put-together with a nice watch on a metal chain. A sportier and more casual option than a leather strap, the large shiny metal area gives your casual look much-needed shine.
You could also use a Milanese mesh strap that looks like a collar and a leather strap. It will work the same way. Making the band out of quartz isn’t essential.
WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO IN BUSINESS CLOTHING
| DO | DOESN’T |
| Wear the Right Clothes. As Sir Hardy Amies, a famous designer, put it, it depends on your business. A law company will be very strict, but a start-up will be much less so. | Wear ONLY work clothes. Stay away from used things that are torn or stained. |
| Take it easy. Dealing with the jokes that people will make about your job interview because you’re dressed too well is better than having to go to one because you aren’t. | Take Care of Business. If you’re unsure what to wear with jeans, wear slacks or pants. If you’re not sure what to wear with sneakers, do shoes. You can take off a shirt, but you can’t. Make one appear out of thin air. |
| Put ink on your sleeve. Yes, times have changed. This is truer for lawyers than for baristas, but think twice before taking off your collar and showing off your tattoo ideas. | Get your presentation right. If you wear something simple like a T-shirt and sneakers, they shouldn’t be dirty, worn, or something you’d wear around the house. |
| Mix business and casual clothes. Hoodies or sporty polo shirts, please. Crew-neck sweaters and trainers are acceptable. But nothing you’d wear to the gym. Mamil toe is an HR matter. | Get your presentation right. If you’re going to wear something simple like a T-shirt and sneakers, they shouldn’t be dirty, worn, or something you’d wear around the house. |
| Take a relaxed stance. Business casual was thought to make people more productive, just like open-plan offices, but studies show that the reverse is true. | Changing the way you work. Patterns, along with rough textures and light colours, tend to make otherwise intelligent pieces feel less formal than uniform ones. |
| Look at your schedule. You have yet to meet with essential people inside or outside the company. It’s clear to take it easy, just like your calendar. You might want to bring a jacket with you, though, in case. | Put on pinstripes.The way they dress, unless it’s very casual and “in style,” like striped pants, a T-shirt, and sneakers, makes them look “business.” |
| Take a relaxed stance. It was thought that business casual would make people more productive, just like open-plan offices, but studies show that the reverse is true. | Put Attachments Here. A good metal watch and a leather bag will dress up even the most casual outfit. |
| Put Attachments Here. A good metal watch and a leather bag will dress up even the most casual outfit. | Slide Down The Business Ladder. Slap, slap, slap, slap. That’s what people think you sound like when you walk around the office in flip-flops and fall. |
FAQs
1. WHAT DOES MEN’S BUSINESS CASUAL DRESS MEAN?
In the strictest sense, work casual has been a mixed bag, just like its name. Sims says, “It just switched out one uniform (the suit) for another composed of polo shirts and chinos.”
Although business-casual has become very popular as an attitude, partly because California is known for making clothes and culture, both times, tech companies were seen as ahead of the curve. Other companies quickly followed (no) suit, hoping to look like they were using the latest business strategies.
Men’s business casual clothes are taking over the world. As of 2017, members of the House of Commons no longer have to wear ties when they dress professionally. It was the “smart-casual” dress code for the 2013 G8 meeting.
Businesses like JP Morgan started dressing in “business casual” in 2016, even though some employees feared they’d look like they didn’t have any clients to see. On the other hand, Goldman Sachs just recently started a “casual” dress code for its tech workers. They added, “Please use your best judgment to know when to change into business attire as needed, especially if you have a client meeting.”
2. HOW AND WHY MEN STARTED DRESSING IN BUSINESS CASUAL CLOTHES,
Silicon Valley was the first place people wore this clothing type in the 1980s. Companies that made the technology were small and independent. Most of the workers were guys who put results over process and spent more time in front of computers than with other people.
“The idea of business casual was very American and meant to create an open and welcoming work culture,” states Sims. Everyone could dress as badly as they wanted on “Dress-Down Friday,” but the boss might look better dressed than you every day. The suit was thrown out, and people wore khakis and polo shirts, maybe even Hawaiian shirts.
A possibly accurate urban tale says that British people in the 1800s wore tweed suits before taking the train to their country homes for the weekend. This is where the idea of “casual Friday” came from. People who worked in promotion for the Hawaiian Fashion Guild came up with “Aloha Fridays” in 1966. This made the idea of being relaxed at work more popular.
In 1992, a helpful newsletter called “Guide To Casual Business Wear” from the American company Dockers was sent to 25,000 human resources managers. They did this because companies weren’t interested in floral shirts as much as workers weren’t interested in standard suits. That did make a little more sense, but not much. For many years, the Chicago Tribune newspaper wrote, “Welcome to the confusing world of business-casual.”
