Business casual clothes define new rules with some twists to create a more relaxed fashion in business environment.
Defining Business Casual
The term business casual seems hybrid, verily it is. Normally you may not know much about this dress code but do see and even wear in day-to-day life. Business casual comes from two different streams casual attire and business, and converges in one style but business being the head word it is not as casual as you might think, a T-shirt and denim with boots.
Criteria
There is no definition of a business casual outfit but a broad criterion exists. First up gents be clear about what you cannot wear so all your misconceptions will be gone before you know what to wear.
You Should Not Wear
- T-shirts (Crew neck, V-neck, Henley)
- Printed, floral, paisley
- Denim
- Too casual shirts, loud colours, garish patterns- thick stripes, busy checks
- Boots, casual loafers, sneakers, sports shoes
- Sports watch, digital watch
- Socks printed or patterned
- Belts, canvas or braided leather, other synthetic material
- Zip up pullovers, overcoats, leather jacket
You Should Wear
- Polo T-shirt
- Formal Solid shirts, white, blue, tinge of pink, beige, hint of purple.
- Patterned shirts, pencil stripes, mini muted check (brown/maroon/blue)
- Tie (you can skip)
- Chino, Khaki, Flannel
- Dress watch, stainless steel watch
- Dress Shoes in dark colour
- Formal socks as usual
- Plain sweaters, basic cardigans
- Sports jacket, blazers.
Why Business Casual Evolved
We all humans instinctively drift towards more comfortable and unconstrained clothing for a relaxed feel. Choking ties and hugging suit jackets strain men by the end of the day. With flooding casual fashion business wear got rich with more casual choices to match on weekends or other particular days. Now this easy-going dress code is constitutional in business line.
Shirts
Shirts are vital element when you are coordinating business casual pieces. Don’t cross the formal boundaries- choose not from green, peach, red. Colour selection is key to business attire. Colours those are easy on the eye and pleasant to look at- white, dark blue, beige, slight pink, tan, off white, light grey, silver.
In terms of pattern wear a low-key elegant pattern. Keep the base colour white for best performance. Mini checks for example are great design to wear for business casual. A navy and blue checkers on base white shirt. Grey, maroon pin stripes or blue, brown, purple pencil stripes on white base colour would look fabulously chic. You can also choose grey or light blue as your base shirt colour. Don’t go beyond that.
Shirt collar
Don’t choose band or slim collar. These are too casual. Choose a pointed, button down, standard collar. Since you would like to avoid a tie for more relaxed feel wear crisp collar that complements you face shape.
Trousers
Trousers with straight legs are best for business casual, slightly tapered fit is also acceptable but not much. Unlike business professional pants can have medium break or no break. In lieu of pleated front you can choose flat front for a variety. Trousers must be pressed and creased. Don’t omit belts.
Odd Trousers
Since you wear suit trousers every day for business casual you can have non-matching colour trousers. For instance wear navy trousers with a light pink shirt. Add a grey blazer.
Chinos
Chino is a less formal piece, best for business casual. You get a nice finish around the seams for a polished outfit. Pick one with straight and tapered fit. Narrow or slim fit chinos should be better left out. Khaki, brown, slate grey, grey green are new colours to try out. Perhaps, you could inspire others to expand their business casual wardrobe.
Corduroy
This fabric is much underrated, but corduroy worn occasionally can outclass dress trousers or chinos. Its ribbed surface exudes unique fashion. Straight legged navy, beige or ivory, brown cords are suitable items for a casual Friday.
Polo
One can wear polo, but a short sleeve shirt would be a better choice than polo. Since a T-shirt is a T-shirt. Go for other options as long as you have.
Wear polo of navy, grey or white shades to organize your ensemble well.
Jackets
Sports jacket can enhance a business casual. You can bring in colours and textures but ensure a controlled outfit. Never make mistake with casual colours and loud patterns. Wear cotton in summer, wool and tweed in winters.
Fit is mandatory, never wear a loose sports coat. Ensure proper lines in shoulders and torso. Keep your sports jacket a bit short than suit jackets to sport a trendy look.
Buttoning is also very important. Always button a sports jacket while standing. If you are wearing two buttoned jacket leave the bottom one undone.
Sport jackets work best with chinos, corduroy so try to coordinate these two. If your sports jacket is textured pair a plain shirt and plain tie. Too much pattern is not recommended for a business casual. If your jacket is plain like grey, pair a grey blue striped or check shirt, accessorize with a brown or olive green tie.
A neutral alternative to sports coat can be a blazer. Team a navy or dark grey blazer with plain white or light purple shirt. Blazer comes with limited features like fabric type, colours so decide wisely between a blazer and sports coat.
Shoes
- Wear dark colour shoes, black or brown.
- Half brogues, suede derby, penny loafers, Horsebit loafers, Double monks, One strap monk, Boat shoes
Business Casual Winter
Sweaters dark grey, navy, black colours are ideal to exhibit business casual in winters. Cardigan is a classic alternative to wear, get maroon or navy or dark brown over a plain shirt. A tie would elevate this moderate outfit. Avoid knitted cardigans with ribbed or other patterns. Choose plain weave for a more manly and dressier look. Cardigans made of thin wool fit the context of business wear.
Sweater, especially V-neck is next item to wear over a shirt. Wear a tie for a dapper look. V-neck brings a shirt and tie combo to light allowing each element to express its purpose. In terms of fitting V-neck will hug your figure snugly emphasizing a trimmer style. An advantage here is that you can layer a blazer over the sweater in cold weather.
- During intense weather add a layer sports jacket over sweater. Layers will insulate you while preserving a business casual background.
- One can also wear vest sweaters in mild weather.
- Wool or tweed sports coat and woollen blazers are tasteful options in cooler season.
Explore more on Sweaters For Men
Business Casual Summer
Don’t let your summer business casual remain dull and uninteresting. Since you may not add layers in summer show your style power with shirts.
- An immaculate white button down with dark navy or black trousers is an ideal dress pair for business casual.
- Again a plain blue button-down shirt with charcoal trousers makes a perfect combination in summer. Only keep the top button undone. No patch pocket on shirt is a better design if you wish to accent formality of a shirt. Fasten a belt and wear fine polished shoes.
- A contrast collar shirt is a creative way to dress sharp for business casual. A contrast collar with its dual tone design can handle business environment wonderfully.
- Cotton sports coat is a next level thing to wear over a shirt. Wear thin layer of cotton sports coat for a more chic outfit.
- More shirt pant pairs can be- White shirt and khaki chino. Light purple shirt and black odd trousers.
Accessory
Belt, Watch
Don’t steer from leather. Belts can at once enhance an outfit but if mistakenly worn wrong belt your whole effort will be in vain. Silver buckle is always a safe option.
- A minimalist dress watch with leather strap will work the same way here as with business professional attire. A less formal silver steel watch is versatile piece to coordinate with all dress codes.
Pocket Square
- Have fun with pocket square. A pocket square will spruce you up if you are leaving a tie since it will capture all the attention. Choose a sophisticated colour, pattern and fold.
Tie
- Since tie is optional it is better to focus on other elements else business casual will anyway look like business professional.
- Still one can wear ties plain or with patterns- stripes, polka, and solid colour. Combine a good tie with rather casual knot.
Hairstyle & Beard
- Don’t miss out immaculate facial hair and a neat hairdo for a trim look. Business casual does not allow an unshaven face or frizzy hair.
