Updated by Tanya Zhang

Business casual is my favorite dress code, due to the ease and adaptability that come with it. Being able to wear business casual pants such as jeans with a button up shirt, as well as other versatile business casual outfits, essentially means that I get to mix and match my wardrobe creatively. So if you're not sure what business casual outfits entail, read on and we'll help you put together a great business casual ensemble

Over the years, the dress code in the corporate world has continued to evolve and change. In the past, men would dress more formally when going to work. Today, business casual dress code is often widely adopted and accepted in workplaces. 

The workplace dress code can be difficult to get a hang of, especially when there are no distinct rules to follow. It is rather common for professionals to wonder what constitutes the men’s dress code in a place of business, and men's business outfits are no exception. For example, when is it appropriate to wear a suit with sneakers?

In this article, we will be discussing how to wear a business casual outfit, where it comes from, tips to apply, dress code rules, and things that you should stay away from. Find out more about the appropriate business casual wardrobe for the workplace so you can wear the look well. 

 

What is Business Casual Attire for Men?

The basic definition of business casual attire is a dress code that is not as business formal as traditional office or business wear, but that is still adequate enough to portray someone as a business professional. This could still seem vague and leave many men wanting a more solidified idea of what to wear. We have an in-depth article going into the difference between business casual and professional attire here.

In short, think of someone who dresses up and may meet clients like a realtor, sales representative, or any other service professional. Do not confuse it with a smart casual dress code - business casual dress code for men is very different from a casual dress code and couldn't be more different.

As a general rule of thumb, first understand that business casual attire is much more ‘business’ than ‘casual’. The word ‘casual’ can be confusing, but it would be a mistake to lean too much towards an informal t-shirt and shorts. Lastly, even if the setting calls for a business casual setting, it's important to know how should a suit jacket fit if you choose to wear a suit jacket.

It’s true that office fashion has relaxed from the stern and stiff oxfords. However, with business casual attire, a nice blazer and dress shirt is always a safe bet. Ties are not entirely necessary (here's our perspective on ties for job interviews) but always feel free to wear one to take your fashion up a notch, and especially if you're dressing for a job interview. Overall, you’re still aiming for a trendy and sophisticated look with business casual. 

Before you fully understand what is acceptable to wear, it is always helpful to have an idea of what not to wear.

As a general rule of thumb for business casual, avoid:

• Casual clothing like printed shirts and ripped jeans
• Any denim at all 
• Sandals, boots, and tennis shoes
• T-Shirt
• Hoodies
• Shorts
• Hats

 

Best Business Casual Shirts

 

What Men Should Wear for Business Casual

A Blazer

Blazers tend to be popular in business casual dress. When wearing blazers, you should avoid wearing blazers with gold buttons. Stick with simple and dark colors. Navy is a safe option that is very popular with people wanting something more interesting than just black. 

Wearing a single breasted blazer is the most standard. However, if you wish to stand out with a more powerful, impressive look, then double breasted would be a great option. If you prefer to wear sports coats, you should go for a more subdued pattern. Avoid those bright and summery patterns, as this can come off as too casual and unprofessional. 

The fit of your blazer is also very important. Go for a slim cut with a square shape in the shoulder area. The lapel should end right before your rear and the sleeves should stop right before the shirt cuffs. The material always matters and you should adapt your materials according to the seasons. You would not want to wear a blazer that causes you to sweat or one that does not provide you with warmth.

However, if you're on the West Coast where dress code is more casual, you won't need to wear a blazer or suit jacket. 

Here are the 7 best suit colors we recommend having to switch up your wardrobe for various occasions and dress codes. We also have guides on how to wear grey slacks with brown shoes, blue suit with brown shoes, and black suit with brown shoes, if you're looking for style inspiration with dress slacks. 

 

A Tucked-In Button Down Shirt or Collared Shirt

Because this dress code is all about looking clean and professional, tucking in your shirt is a must. Finding your ideal look is all about identifying the shirt that suits you the most. Any shirt won’t cut it; it is important to find a business casual shirt that matches your silhouette the most. 

 

Look for a well tailored shirt, but don’t make it too tight. Length is also important. If your business casual shirt is too long, it won’t tuck in properly. Not only that, the extra fabric that bunches up around your waist can make your outfit too casual.

Your business casual shirt should tuck in comfortably, but give you room to move. You don’t want any parts coming untucked simply because you reach for something. This is a guide on when to untuck your shirt.

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Should the Collar Button?

When it comes to collared shirts, there are two main categories: button up and button down. While they sound like they would be the same thing, they’re actually not.

You can tell the difference by looking at the collar. Button down shirts have collars with buttons on the tips, which are then secured to the upper chest of the shirt. You may also hear these shirts called ‘oxford cloth button down’ style.

Button up shirts don’t have collars fastened to the rest of the shirt. The collar is more stiff, and should stay in place on its own, without buttons. However, it’s still fairly common to see these shirts with inserts in the collar to keep it straight and stiff. 

Which should you choose for business casual for men? Go with the button up business casual shirt. It’s simple, clean, and classic. Not only that, but a button down shirt risks giving the impression of being too casual. 

 

A Business Casual Dress Shirt with Long Sleeves

You can never go wrong with a cotton dress shirt for most dress codes. Focus on wearing light blue or pastel colors, just remember that formal shirts are always great when it comes to business casual for men. You can easily change your look based on how you wear them. 

Wear a more relaxed look by unbuttoning the top button or pairing it with a knit tie. You can also make it look business formal by putting on a tie and throwing a blazer on. 

Again, if you're on the West Coast it is more casual so you can actually wear a dress shirt with short sleeves or any collared shirt for that matter. In some offices, flannels can even be okay.

 

Business Casual Dress Pants

For dress pants, your options are not too complicated to meet the criteria of business casual pants. Any pair of solid gray, navy, or black dress pants will do the trick. In terms of style, pleated or flat front pants are the way to go. 

To achieve business casual for men, simply pair it with a nicely tucked in shirt and a blazer. The shape of your pants are also vital to the look of your entire outfit. Your dress pants should be clean and fitted. 

If you are going to wear denim, it needs to be extremely high quality. It should be in the same category as dress slacks when it comes to quality. You do not want to be in your workplace in a casual pair of jeans which will make you look too unprofessional. 

 

 

Business Casual Sweaters for Warmth

During colder days, it is perfectly acceptable to wear a sweater over your shirt in addition to your blazer. To be specific, turtlenecks, sweater vests, or cardigans work for men's winter fashion. 

 

What Accessories to Wear

Having business casual accessories and knowing how to wear them will undoubtedly set you apart from others in your workplace. For example, knowing how to fold a pocket square with your blazer will give you a very distinguished look. Add a casual watch to your look when wearing a more formal outfit in order to downplay the look of your men's business casual attire. 

On the other hand, you can also wear a dressier watch with a casual outfit to add a touch of sophistication. Wearing cufflinks are also a great way to add more interesting detail to a look. 

Although ties are optional in dress codes like black tie optional, this does not mean that you should never wear them. A silk tie always looks nice and can be the crucial factor in pulling your outfit together. 

 

About Bags

Avoid wearing backpacks. This is not flattering and will make you look like a high school student. Instead, find a leather bag that you like and use that instead for when it comes to business casual for men. Brown and black pair easily with your clothes when creating a business casual ensemble. 

 

Business Casual Shoes and Boots

If you yearn for more creative freedom, feel free to take things up a notch with your closed toe shoes. The good news is - you do not need to stick to regular shoes like oxfords. You can use this opportunity to try different colors and wear more casual shoe options. 

Some ideas for boots you can wear are loafers or chukka boots. Colors like burgundy, oxblood, and brown are all great options for a business casual look. However, we recommend that you start out pretty simple if you are unsure of what to wear. Try pairing your boots with a nice suit for a rugged yet elegant look.

Modern dress shoes are always a safe option. You can never go wrong with a pair of black or brown closed toe shoes for any business environment.

 

A Classic Watch

Having a timepiece on hand is helpful, but it should also be part of any business casual wardrobe. That doesn’t mean you have to wear it everyday. However, a classic looking watch spruces up any ensemble, and adds a flash of your personality. 

Your watch should coordinate with the rest of your outfit; look at color, texture, and overall balance to make your choice. White dial watches, as well as silver watches are always a top pick. Try these men's watches from Citizen. They fit with nearly anything you might wear, and give the same effect. That said, watches with a leather band are another great option, and they’re always appropriate for business casual dress codes. 

Just remember, don’t clash colors with your outfit if you wear a watch with a leather band. The classic fashion faux pas in any situation is mixing brown and black. If you’re wearing black pants, opt for a black band. Likewise, if you’re wearing a deep brown pant, go with the watch band that matches. 

A Pocket Square

A pocket square absolutely isn’t mandatory for business casual for men. However, pocket squares are making a big return in popularity, so they’re worth considering. You don’t have to go overboard, but adding a good pocket square or two to your wardrobe is a good idea.

They’re small, but can add a big dose of your personal style to any outfit. Like with anything else, you should still take care and coordinate it with the rest of your attire. Otherwise, it’s up to you to choose what you like best. 

Need another reason pocket squares should be a part of your business casual wardrobe?

A pocket square can change the overall look of an entire outfit. You don’t have to spend your salary on a new suit jacket when a pocket square gives the same piece an entirely different look.

A Leather Belt

When you think of accessories, your mind is probably closer to watches and pocket squares than belts. Don’t let that stop you from using your belt to enhance your look, though. A good belt can be the perfect finishing touch, no matter whether you’re wearing a blazer or not.

Belts come in plenty of different materials, but when it comes to business casual for men, you should stick with leather. It lasts forever (as long as you take care of it, of course), looks great, and never goes out of style. Here's how to find the right size belt for your outfit and the different types of belts.

As long as you make sure the belt coordinates with the rest, like your watch band, you can add subtle, or less subtle detail with it. Whether your belt is flat, textured, braided, or anything else, it’s an important part of your outfit. 

What About Hats?

When it comes to traditional business attire, hats aren’t viewed the way they used to be. Gone are the days where everyone removes their hat as soon as they enter a building. While they may be more acceptable for many occasions, they aren’t if you have a business casual dress code. Leave the hats for home and friends, not the office or an important meeting. 

Naturally, if your business does get-togethers outside of the office, different types of hats might be accepted for a business casual look, especially if they're fitted and the proper hat size. However, we suggest going on the safe side and avoiding them all together for the most part. 

 

Finding Well-Fitting Dress Shirts for Business Casual

When it comes to business casual, your choice of shirt is extremely important. There are several things to focus on when it comes to finding a shirt that fits you well. Every section of your shirt is important to consider.

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Collar: The collar of your dress shirt should not be too loose or too tight. You should be able to slide one finger underneath when it is buttoned. Try turning your head while you have the shirt on. If the collar turns with you, then that means the collar is too tight. When wearing a button down shirt, unbutton the first button, as this will make the shirt look better. 

Shoulder: When wearing the shirt, the shoulder seams should be resting right where your shoulder begins to slope down your arm. Use this shoulder width measurement guide to determine whether the shirt is too big or small. 

Armholes: The arms of your shirt should always be comfortable for you. You do not want them so tight that they squeeze your arm whenever you bend them or that you can see all the details in your arms. However, you also do not want your shirt so loose that it flaps around. 

Shirt Torso: When wearing the shirt, a good test to see whether or not the shirt is too large for you is to pinch it to your sides. You should not be holding more than 2-3” of fabric on either side of your waist. Regardless of your size, you should never be wearing a shirt that is too tight or too large. These are the best shirts for long torso men.

Length of the shirt: Always pay attention to the shirt length. As mentioned before, you will always want to wear your shirt tucked in for business casual. Because of this, you do not want the shirt to be too long.

The length of your shirts should always end around your mid-crotch area. If your shirt is longer than this, you should never wear it untucked. Wearing your shirt untucked in general tends to look very messy and sloppy. 

 

History of Business Casual

Business casual is considered a somewhat new dress code. In fact, until the adoption of business casual, the only categories of dress in the past were primarily daywear and nightwear. 

Throughout the day, men would typically be seen wearing what was called a stroller coat for business. When evening came, they could be seen wearing a tailcoat. This was primarily during dinner and events. The most common casual attire for men back then would be a tweed suit for casual activities.

So where did business casual come from? Business casual attire can be linked to casual Fridays which began to take place in the 1960’s. 

Casual Fridays got its origins from Hawaii, when the clothing industry there began to introduce the idea of “Aloha Fridays”. On “Aloha Fridays”, men were encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts to work in order to symbolize the end of the week. However, it was not until the early 90’s that this concept caught on in the rest of the United States. 

The beginnings of business casual in the rest of the US was a bit rocky, as many bosses considered what their employees chose to wear to be a bit too casual. Many employers in upper management began to complain that their employees were wearing t-shirts and shorts in the workplace. 

 

Do’s and Don’ts for Business Casual Dress Code

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It is always important to remember that there are times when business casual is not appropriate. 

Here are some situations where you should forgo business casual and opt for a traditional suit instead:

• When you are attending a meeting with important clients that you need to make a good impression on.
• When you have a meeting with a supervisor or a manager 
• During events where you will be representing your workplace
• When representing your company in the media
• During board or committee meetings
• When you are dressing for a job interview or during a raise negotiation meeting with your employer
• And lastly, never wear business casual to a job interview. You always want to look your absolute best at a job interview. 

 

Here are some tips you should keep in mind while wearing business casual:

• Make sure your blazer is tailored and made from quality fabric
• Wear a cotton button-up shirt
• Tight fitting sweaters or cardigans look great with a collared shirt underneath.
• Dress slacks, khakis, or trousers are all great options for pants. Generally, you should not wear jeans but they can be okay in certain environments
• When you are first starting out, it would be wise to stick to some monochromatic colors, at least until you get more comfortable
• Always make sure your shoes add to your outfit, not take away from it. 

 

In Conclusion

Business casual can be daunting when you are first starting out. However, it is an ideal look for men in the workplace today once they have mastered it. Once you have discovered what looks best on you, it is possible for you to be one of the best-dressed people in your place of work. 

Paying attention to details when putting together business casual examples counts. Always remember that you have options when you are putting together an outfit. Even when putting together a business casual outfit, you want to ensure that your outfit is still quality.

Casual does not correlate with cheap and your employers will begin to notice if you are not putting in effort to look nice for work.

Frequent asked questions about men's business casual dress code

What is business casual attire for men?

Business casual attire for men strikes a balance between professional and relaxed clothing, offering a versatile option for workplace settings where full business suits aren't necessary. Typically, business casual involves wearing collared shirts such as dress shirts, button-downs, or polo shirts, often paired with chinos or dress pants, as well as suit jackets if you'd like. The overall look should be neat and polished, with leather shoes like oxfords, loafers, or brogues completing the outfit. Accessories, such as a belt that matches the shoes and a simple watch, help to tie the look together, maintaining a level of professionalism without being overly formal.

Can men wear jeans for business casual?

Jeans can sometimes be appropriate for business casual men's attire on casual Friday, but this depends largely on the workplace and its specific dress code. When allowed in such dress codes, jeans should be dark-wash, without overly casual elements like embellishments or logos (avoid ripped jeans). Pairing jeans with outerwear, such as a business casual polo shirt or a blazer, can elevate the look and make it suitable for a business casual environment. However, in some workplaces, jeans may still be considered too casual when it comes to business casual attire for men, so it's important to understand the company's expectations before incorporating them into your wardrobe.

What is not appropriate for business casual?

Certain clothing items are generally considered too informal for a business casual dress code. A t-shirt, whether plain or graphic, is too casual and should be avoided in favor of collared shirts or blouses, which are appropriate business casual clothes. Athletic wear, such as hoodies, t-shirts, joggers, and sneakers (although leather sneakers are an exception), is also inappropriate for business casual settings, as these items lack the polished appearance needed in a professional environment requiring business casual looks. Similarly, flip-flops, sandals, and shorts are not suitable, as they convey a relaxed, vacation-like vibe rather than a professional one. Additionally, loud or overly casual clothing, including bright colors, wild patterns, or excessively relaxed garments such as t-shirts, should be avoided to maintain a businesslike appearance.

What is considered business casual dress code?

The business casual dress code is designed to provide a middle ground between formal business attire and everyday casual wear, allowing for comfort without sacrificing professionalism. In a business casual setting, men might wear dress shirts, polo shirts, or sweaters, often paired with chinos, dress pants, or tailored slacks. Avoid wearing a t-shirt as that is too informal for the dress code. Leather shoes, such as loafers or dress shoes, are standard, offering a polished finish to the outfit. Adding a blazer, cardigan, or sport coat can enhance the overall look, making it more appropriate for business dress codes. While the specifics of business casual attire can vary depending on the industry or company culture, the key for tested business casual outfits is to maintain a neat, professional appearance that reflects a respectful attitude towards the workplace.