For those who are acutely aware of their personal style, mastering the business casual look is essential. It’s that slightly nebulous space between formal business wear and casual attire that allows for a distinctly individual slant but is all too easy to get wrong.
Successful businessmen understand the critical importance of creating a positive first impression and, equally, the small window of opportunity they have to do so. It's an unspoken dance performed by those in the know, where the rules of engagement are more than a little fluid.
With this in mind, let’s explore the DNA of the business casual look. How does a made-to-measure shirt serve to separate the men from the boys?
What Makes a Successful Business Casual Look?
Business casual, or smart casual as it’s often referred to, lurks within a professional aesthetic. Yet it plays with sporty comfort and individuality. The correct combination of deconstructed elegance and casual nonchalance remains a razor-thin line to master.
As a rule of thumb, most stylists recommend the following:
- Well-fitting clothes
- Muted shades
- Quality fabrics
- Avoiding patterns or loud colors
- Choosing just one sporty/casual item per look
As you can see, business casual is far more than the shedding of a tie. Rather, it is a careful blend of well-cut, high-quality items that fit you and the event perfectly.
Professional attire is easy to master with a smart suit, a beautiful dress shirt, and a tie. Business casual allows for the introduction of several more relaxed elements but still requires a nod to the formal end of the spectrum.
The Matter of Made-to-Measure Shirts
Without a doubt, finding a shirt that fits your proportions will give your business casual look a crisp, refined feel. However, this can be something of a challenge, as no two men are created equal. Additionally, each occasion calls for something different. So, what makes up the perfect made-to-measure shirt?
Choose the Finest Fabrics
Your custom shirt should be crafted from the finest fabrics, ensuring that you always look polished and professional. Your best choice of fabric will not only be of good quality but will also enhance your overall look.
For example, Broadcloth is perfect for men who prefer less texture and a crisp look, whereas Twill has a little more personality and drapes beautifully, so it is somewhat more forgiving. Leaner men may prefer a thicker fabric with a subtle texture that adds a little bulk, while a broader gentleman may opt for a finer fabric that won’t bunch or crease easily beneath a jacket.
Whatever your choice, having the right material sitting comfortably across your shoulders, falling easily into a relaxed sleeve, and skimming across your chest without pulling or bunching is one less thing to worry about at your event.
Color and Fabric Design
A successful business casual look incorporates darker colors and muted fabric designs. One can’t go wrong with shades of charcoal, chocolate, or navy, but the choices don’t stop there.
Perhaps you’d like to incorporate a subtle pinstripe. Maybe you’d like to introduce a little texture to add interest to your dress shirt; whatever your preference, a custom shirt is the answer. Business casual revels in low-key and subtle, perhaps with a glimpse of personality highlighted in the clever addition of an unexpected detail.
A professional team can help you to assemble the right choice of color, texture, and nuanced fabric design to match your exacting standards.
Collar and Cuff
Finding the right elements to create the perfect blend of smart and casual may be important, but we’re certain that you don’t want to blend into the crowd. Confidence and success are not often found in a melee of drones.
To avoid slipping into the quicksand of mediocrity, we like to offer our customers a selection of ingredients to individualize their look.
A quietly superior product coupled with your choice of a button-down or cutaway collar, perhaps a barrel, or a french cuff, serves to elevate your look with just a whisper. The inclusion of these details is guaranteed to level up your aesthetic and position you subtly at the head of the pack.
After all, when you know, you know.
Beyond Traditional Sizing
If a shirt doesn’t fit correctly, then it won't look good on you, no matter how much you spend on it.
Made-to-measure shirts are expertly crafted to accommodate unique body types and are built to last. Mastering business casual is not only about what you wear but how you wear it; confidence is just as much part of the overall style as color choice.
Look for a range of options that go beyond traditional sizing. When your custom-made shirt is tailored to fit your precise measurements, you avoid the pitfalls of off-the-peg clothing. (These may offer comfort or style but seldom both.)
It won’t matter a stitch if you’re larger than the standard shop-sized mannequin, taller, or leaner; your shirt will look impeccable. Custom shirts consider those few millimeters that make up the perfect sleeve length, that prevent your buttons from pulling across your chest, and that serve to shave off a few pounds here and there.
Professionals Work With Professionals
You are your own brand, and your unique identity rests within the smallest of details. Therefore, the conversation around cut, weave, and color is essential.
Find a business that will help you create your perfect business casual shirt. You’re looking for experience, a range of products, and the ability to offer expert advice.
Indeed, a successful business casual look rests on several unmitigated staples: quality fabrics, well-crafted styles, muted shades, and carefully tailored pieces. To ensure that your aesthetic aligns with your expectations, we warmly encourage you to explore our range of products and allow us to craft the perfect made-to-measure shirts for you.