If you’re wondering what to wear for business casual, you’re not alone. Nailing business casual attire can be challenging because it can mean different things in different workplaces. In short, you’re trying to convey relaxed professionalism. A short list might look something like this:
- Collared shirts (dress shirts, casual shirts with collars, and polos),
- Professional pants (chinos, khakis, dress pants, and occasionally performance pants)
- Semi-formal shoes (oxfords, derbies, and loafers, and occasionally hybrid dress shoes or sneakers)
While a short list can be helpful, there is nuance to nailing men’s business casual. So, here are some business casual tips for what to wear.
How to Build a Business Casual Wardrobe
Aim for Versatility
Buy items that are easy to pair. For shirts, solid colors or muted patterns are a smart starting point. For pants, navy, grey, and tan or khaki colors provide a base that is easy to complement without overthinking it.
Classic Dress Shirts
To start, you want a few of the basics. We recommend a white dress shirt as a base because it looks good with just about everything. A Non-Iron Shirt requires little care and will look polished throughout the day. If you’re ready to experiment with color, we recommend light blue or shirts with subtle blue and white patterns like The William. As you grow your wardrobe, you can introduce more understated patterns like tattersall, gingham, multi-checks, and houndstooth.
Classic Casual Shirts
If you’re looking for more relaxed options than dress shirts, a great place to start is The Oxford. This shirt, often called the “OCBD” (more on that here), straddles the line between professional and casual. Like a dress shirt, you can never go wrong with white and blue, but soft pastel Oxfords also work.
Knit Dress Shirts
Knit-dress shirts are professional yet comfortable. If you’re looking for a relaxed feel with some give to move around, shirts like The Performance Knit Pique Dress Shirt will feel like you’re in your favorite around-the-house attire while cueing a dressed-up look.
Classic Dress Pants
Dress pants signal professionalism. They look best with a dress shirt but are versatile enough to pair with casual shirts or a high-end polo. An option like The Versa Stretch Dress Pant comes in various colors, is machine washable, and has stretch material for maximum comfort.
Chinos & Khakis: The Casual Pant
Chinos and khakis are both staples of business casual looks. Chinos are made from lightweight, fine-woven fabric and are appropriate for a semi-formal occasion. Khakis are usually heavier fabrics made from denser weave and are considered slightly less formal. Since business casual encompasses a range of definitions and degrees of formality, it’s worth looking around your office to see if anyone is wearing khakis. A Non-Iron Stretch Chino will look great with a dress shirt, belt, or casual shirt.
Performance Chinos for Office
Performance pants, which generally refer to pants with stretch-fit or athletic materials added, can work for business casual, but a note of caution here. It’s best to look for performance pants that look like dress pants or chinos. If you lean too far into athletic wear, it can start to look unprofessional. The Milano Performance Chino is an excellent substitute for a chino in a casual setting.
Layers & Shoes
To dress it up, incorporate a blazer or sport coat. Custom-made sport coats provide a tailored fit that complements a made-to-measure shirt perfectly. For casual days, sweaters and vests give an outfit more depth while providing some functional warmth.
For shoes, you can’t go wrong with oxfords and derbys (a quick explanation of the difference here) or a handsome pair of loafers. In some business casual offices, you’ll see hybrid dress shoes. Those are shoes where the top looks like a dress shoe and the sole looks more like a sneaker. Again, getting a feel for the unspoken rules before breaking them out is a good idea.
Custom Fits Better for Business Casual
Whatever fabric or level of formality you opt for, fit is essential. Excess fabric ends up looking baggy and sloppy. Items that are too small can look boyish and even be restrictive throughout the day. Custom dress shirts and pants look more refined – even subconsciously – to people who don’t think much about style or fit. It isn’t just the dressier items; custom business casual shirts look better, especially if worn untucked.
A more intentional look can set you apart in a professional setting. Custom doesn’t have to be difficult, either. We’ve spent years perfecting our user-friendly Smart Size algorithm to create your custom fit online so you can confidently walk through the office doors with confidence in your business casual style.