Business Casual Style Tips for Men

When you think of business casual, you probably imagine loose-fitting button-up shirts, slim-fit chinos, and maybe a pair of nice sneakers. And while that outfit is very different from the suit-and-tie work attire most men are used to, it’s actually not as relaxed as it may seem. In fact, when done correctly (i.e., not like your typical Friday night outfit), this dress code can be just as professional as your standard 9-to-5 getup. Inside today’s modern workplace, the definition of business casual has expanded to include tailored chinos, cable knit sweaters, and Oxford button-downs—all staples that won’t leave you feeling underdressed or overstressed on any given day.

In other words, once you know the ins and outs of dressing for success in this new environment, business casual can be pretty stress-free. Read on for our expert tips on dressing for success at work if you find yourself in a more relaxed office setting.

No Suits

We know this is a big one, but it’s also one of the most important tips we can offer. We don’t want to see you in a suit every day. Suits are reserved for special occasions—business events, weddings, important meetings, and the like. So when you’re at the office, think business casual, not business formal. Instead, your business casual outfit should be relaxed but polished. That means no jeans, no sneakers, no short-sleeved button-ups.

Tucked-in shirts always

We know—we just said to leave the suit at home, but now we’re saying you should wear and then tuck in your shirt? Why yes, yes we are. Always tuck in your shirt if you’re wearing a pair of standard-length pants. The tucked-in look is much more polished, especially if you wear a button-up shirt.

Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about throughout the day: If your shirt isn’t untucked, you don’t have to adjust it constantly or readjust it if you’re sitting down for a meeting.

Smart shoes are a must

If you want to wear chinos to work, but you’re not sure if they’re appropriate with your dress shoe of choice, let this helpful tip be your guide: If you’re wearing chinos, and you’re not sure which shoes to pair with them, go with something leather. For example, leather oxfords, men’s office shoes from amberjackshoes, or leather penny loafers are appropriate options. They’re classy and casual and go with just about anything.

A blazer or jacket always works well

If you want to dress down your button-up shirt but don’t want to wear a suit, a blazer or a casual jacket is the perfect solution. Pull on a blazer or a casual jacket with a button-up shirt, and you’ve got a more relaxed look for the office. If you wear a blazer, make sure it’s a darker color than your shirt. For example, a blue blazer with a black button-up would look a bit odd. Instead, choose a darker color, like navy or grey. Blazers are a timeless, classic piece that can be worn all year long—even when the weather isn’t that consistent.

No ties – open-neck shirts all the way!

We get it: It can be tough to ditch the tie. It’s something you’ve worn to work for years, and it’s become a part of your identity as a professional. But in the casual business workplace, there’s no need for it. You can (and should!) ditch the tie in favor of a more casual open-neck shirt.

There are a few options for open-neck shirts, but we think a polo shirt is the best choice for business casual. Polo shirts fit somewhere between—they’re casual, but they’re more professional than a t-shirt. We don’t want to see you in a t-shirt, and we don’t want to see you in a button-up without a collar.

Final words

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about how to dress for success in a business casual office. Now, go out there and make your coworkers jealous with your well-executed outfit.