In today's day and age, the concept of business or work attire has changed drastically. Sure, the era of Don Draper and suit jackets, silk ties, and tailored overcoats stole the limelight in the workplace. The men of yesteryear looked good. But today, you can look just as good, only in a more casual manner.
This is where business casual attire comes into the picture. But what does this phrase actually encapsulate and what are the ''rules'' for achieving this look, while still maintaining a professional aesthetic? Allow this blog to be your guide.
Business Casual Attire: The Basic Principals
If we were to summarize what business casual means, it's a semi-formal style that's not boxed in or defined by traditional office wear. The overall premise, though, is to create a professional impression.
We get it -- the concept leaves a little too much room for interpretation. When you throw in the word ''casual'', it can get all the more confusing. One hard-and-fast rule you want to bear in mind is that the word ''casual'' does not imply sleeveless t-shirts, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
Overall, the concept of business casual is geared more towards business, rather than a casual setting. In order to do the business casual look justice, you want to keep these two principles in mind: style and sophistication.
Business Casual Do's and Don'ts
In order to acquaint yourself with the business casual dress code, here are some simple styling rules to keep in mind:
The Do's
When you choose the key pieces for your business casual wardrobe, always opt for quality, rather than quantity. This is especially important when it comes to blazers, shirts, trousers, and shoes. Where possible, you always want to choose a cotton button-down shirt, as it's light-weight, easy to wear, and always looks great under a blazer.
If you want to forgo the look of a blazer and opt for a sweater or cardigan instead, make sure you wear a collared shirt underneath it. And make sure the sweater or cardigan fits snugly to the body. When you're first trying your hand at the business casual look, stick to neutral, monochromatic colors.
Once you've built up some confidence and what to incorporate some pattern, opt for straightforward options, such as simple stripes. Always wear top-quality dress shoes to complete your look.
The Don'ts
There is no need to invest in a fancy suit jacket when trying to achieve the business casual look. A well-tailored blazer will do just fine. You don't want to wear a polo shirt or a t-shirt underneath your blazer -- it doesn't have the same look as a button-down.
There's no room in the workplace for baggy, oversized sweaters -- and there probably never will be. The same goes for shorts, street-style jeans, or workout gear, even if it's classed as athleisure.
You don't want to dip into bright, bold colors or patterns when you're just starting out, stick to the basics instead. Remember that casual shoes such as sandals, slip-ons, and sneakers will do nothing for your look. Keep it sharp!
Here are some basic pieces you want to invest in to tie every business casual look together:
1. A Tailored Blazer
A well-tailored blazer, crafted from top-quality fabric will stand you in good stead in the business world.
You want to ensure your blazer fits perfectly, too. It must fit snugly to your frame, but not be too tight. In this case, always opt for a slim cut and a square fit across the shoulders. You don't want the bottom seam of the blazer to extend further than your derriere, while the sleeves should end just before your shirt cuff.
In terms of blazer style, avoid anything too complicated or fanciful for a business casual look. It's best to go with a single-breasted blazer in light wool material. Choose a blazer with notch or peak lapels so that you can wear it no matter the season.
In terms of color, go for something neutral such as a navy or charcoal gray. This makes the blazer versatile and something you can pair with all of your other garments.
2. A High-Quality Button-Down Shirt
One of the best ways to tie the business casual look together is with a good-quality button-down shirt. And you can never go wrong with a made-to-measure piece. The perfect business casual shirt has two seams that run down the back, helping the shirt fit to your shoulders and frame, without being too tight.
When choosing shirt colors, stick to monochrome tones. This includes colors such as white, light gray, light blue, and even light pink. Once again, this allows for versatility and creates that air of professionalism.
3. Well-Tailored Pants or High-Quality Denim
With suit pants out of the way, this means you have plenty of options to work with.
However, this doesn't mean throwing on your favorite pair of slouchy, ripped jeans or joggers. Your pants still need to have a professional air about them in terms of fit, length, and sharpness. Opt for trousers with a slim fit. This means that they should fit comfortably at the hips, around the buttocks, and taper down the leg to the ankle.
The key to a good pair of business casual trousers is the length. Always ensure the bottom seam hits the top of your foot for a good, professional length.
In terms of options, you could go for a pair of chinos or khakis made from a mid-weight cotton material. Again, you want to go for neutral colors here. There's also the option of a good pair of denim jeans. But they must fit well and have the same look as a high-quality pair of slacks. It's always best to choose dark denim, rather than a lighter, faded wash.
4. Business Appropriate Shoes
Shoes are what tie an entire outfit together. So when it comes to choosing appropriate footwear for your business causal looks, keep style and quality in mind.
A good pair of shoes to invest in is the modern dress shoe, such as polished loafers, monk straps, Oxfords, or boots. Opt for long-wearing materials such as leather and neutral colors such as dark, chocolate brown, tan, or black. You could also invest in a pair of suede boots or chukka boots.
Build Your Business Casual Wardrobe With Us
At Hansen's Clothing, we offer an impeccable range of men's wardrobe essentials to build your ideal business casual wardrobe. Built by three generators of tailors, all of our items are high-end and high-quality.
We pride ourselves on our intimate knowledge of both fabric and style and look forward to helping you build a premium wardrobe. Explore for exclusive brands such as Peter Millar, Zanella, Robert Talbot, Wigéns, and more.