Business Casual for Men: Your Ultimate Guide

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Last Updated on January 29, 2022 by Sagarika Kapoor

Business and causal: two words on opposite ends of the dress code axis. On one end, you are dressed as sharp as the enviable James Bond. On the other end, you might as well be dressed as a new-age hipster on a European backpacking tour. Over the last two years, most of us have been working from home under lockdown. During the tedious hours of our self-imposed prisons, business casual for men has taken on a newer meaning. Business-like shirts or knits on top have made frequent appearances on Zoom calls with joggers or shorts below. The more adventurous extremists have stretched the casual aspect a little more and completely forgone pants. Hey, we aren’t judging you! You do you, sir!

But now that the lacklustre at-home life is letting up and we are meeting people again in real life, your fluffy slippers can give off the wrong impression. Remember: we always dress to impress. Big clients do not come to inappropriately dressed people about whom they have formed rather contemptuous opinions due to their clothes. Men now are the times to ditch the oh so comfortable loungewear and suit up like never before. This is your moment to shine and master the sometimes-tricky business casual dress code. In this article, we have included some business casual for men wardrobe essentials that you need to conquer the oft misjudged dress code.

What is The Business Casual for Men Dress Code?

To be an expert in this business casual arena, you first need to get your basics right. So, what does business casual for men mean? The business casual dress code is, to be frank, completely ambiguous. Dare we say it, the term is the most misunderstood word in the menswear vocabulary. The definition of it will vary depending on your office culture and the people you meet regularly. As a rule of thumb, business casual entails a more relaxed version of your regular business attire. For example, if your office uniform is a suit and tie, then business casual for you means losing the tie and possibly the jacket to roll up your sleeves.

This means that the business casual dress code is open to a wide variety of interpretations. That is why it is hard for men to dress appropriately for it. The ideal business casual attire must contain elements of both business and casual in perfect harmony. Instead of fighting each other, the elements must come together to make a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. This, of course, is easier said than done.

You have probably heard of terms like smart casual and sharp casual. These dress codes are quite similar to the business casual style. All three have subtle differences but the basic elements and core of each remain the same. You have to dress up without looking too formal. Now that you know what business casual for men means, let us get on to some men’s business casual wardrobe-essentials.

Some Business Casual Do’s and Don’ts

Psst! We expected that you would not read the description above. So, this is a more concise list for you. At the most basic level, here’s what you need to know:

• No suits
• Ties are optional
• Jeans depend on your manager (dark wash ONLY)
• Absolutely no shorts
• You might as well quit if you are considering sandals and flip-flops
• Just don’t do fedoras or hats
• Tucked in shirt, always
• Polos are tolerable sometimes
• No t-shirts unless you’re a billionaire
• No casual boots
• Blazers and sport coats are always appreciated

Styl Tip: The more obvious details a garment has, the more casual it is.

Business Casual for Men: Wardrobe Essentials

Good news! The puzzling part is over. This is where you get clear pointers on men’s business casual wardrobe-essentials. This is a comprehensive list of all the things you will need to look sharp consistently. So, just keep on reading!

A Neutral Hopsack Suit

We know that we just said no suits for business casual for men but listen. A hopsack suit is one of the least formal suits out there. That is what makes it versatile and perfect for business casual looks. Additionally, you do not have to wear the suit as a single outfit. You can mix and match the garments with different clothes to achieve the ideal look. A navy hopsack suit is our choice but you can easily opt for grey or black as well.

Oxford Shirt

Oxford shirts are extremely flexible with dress codes. They are also one of the foundational elements of a business casual wardrobe. A crisp oxford button-down shirt in a pale blue or white gives you an ideal clean-cut and sophisticated aura.

A Sport Coat

Sport coats are a menswear item that falls somewhere in the middle on the business-casual axis. You can go for a patterned or a plain coat to add an extra element of styling to your look.

Business Casual for Men: Chinos

Chinos are another item that fits seamlessly into both business and casual dress codes. This multipurpose set of bottoms is an absolute must if you are building a business casual wardrobe.

Cotton Dress Pants

Business casual for men means that a pair of cotton dress pants are a must-have. The pants are breathable, comfortable and perfect for more formal meetings with clients. Invest in a pair or two of navy and khaki dress pants for optimum versatility.

Striped Shirt:

A striped shirt is an important building block for the business casual dress code. It adds an air of relaxation to an outfit whilst remaining quite formal.

Business Casual for Men: Ties

Ties are an optional item to a business casual wardrobe. Nevertheless, they are a great accessory to have for emergencies. To keep a minimalist wardrobe, we recommend having a plain silk tie, a striped tie and a medallion print tie.

Footwear

Footwear is the place where you can make or break any business casual outfit. The appropriate business casual for men footwear includes oxfords, loafers, Chelsea boots, monk straps, derby shoes and wingtips or brogues.

Styl Tip: Whether business or casual, menswear essential to have at all times is a great analogous, white dial watch.

We hope that this article helped you understand the dress code of business casual for men. For any personal styling queries, contact us at Styl Inc and one of our expert stylists will get in touch with you.

For more menswear styling tips and tricks, stay tuned to the Styl Inc blogs.

Stay safe and healthy.

Keepin it Styl’ish

Signing off,

Shravani Priya