Business casual is a style that blends traditional business wear with more casual pieces, making it suitable for office environments as well as less formal occasions. It is less formal than classic business dress, but more polished than everyday casual wear.
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The key elements of business casual dress code
There are some guidelines out there to efficiently ensure that you're on the right path when dressing business casual. Here are some great tips:
Dress up rather than dress down, always.
If you're unsure whether or not your outfit is business casual, you can always add something more formal to be on the safe side.
Be consistent.
Don’t show up to casual Friday at the office in an overly relaxed outfit if you’ve kept to a business casual style throughout the week. Small adjustments can make your outfit work for more relaxed occasions too; a pair of well-fitting chinos with a polo shirt is a great option.
Don't overdo it.
Dressing business casual doesn’t have to be complicated, and you shouldn’t need to replace your entire wardrobe. Keep it simple. A blazer over a clean t-shirt, paired with classic jeans, is often an easy way to achieve a business casual look.
What to avoid when dressing business casual
As with any other dress code, there are a few things to keep in mind when dressing business casual. Here’s what to avoid if you want to get the look right:
- Casual shoes such as overly worn (in other words - dirty) sneakers or flip-flops.
- Stained or wrinkled clothing or clothing with holes (distressed jeans and business casual is a no-go).
- Poorly fitting clothing, both too big or too tight. The solution? Secure a superior business casual style with a custom-tailored dress shirt.
-Shorts, tank tops, or strapless shirts. You're not at the beach.
Are jeans business casual?
Generally, yes. But there are situations where jeans would not count as business casual. It depends on your role and work environment, as different industries have different expectations. Ask yourself: "Do jeans fit my workplace dress code, and can I style them accordingly?" If the answer is yes, they can work well. If you’re unsure, look at how your coworkers dress. That will usually give you a good sense of what is appropriate. As workplaces change, dress codes change too, and in many cases jeans are perfectly acceptable as part of a business casual outfit, as long as they are clean and well kept.
The difference between business casual and smart casual
Is smart casual the same as business casual? Not quite. Smart casual is usually less formal than business casual. While business casual mainly refers to office wear, smart casual covers a wider range of occasions. A plain t-shirt in a muted shade can work well for smart casual, while printed styles tend to feel more casual.
Business casual outfit ideas for men
Adding a sweater on top of your dress shirt is an excellent way of achieving the business casual style. Style it with a business casual shirt for a complete look.
Linen shirts are a natural balance of casual and business. Style them with rolled-up sleeves and a pair of suit pants for an easy business casual outfit.
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