11 Aug The Essential Guide To Business Casual For Men (Pt.1)

Boom.

You’ve done it. You’ve landed the new dream job.

Your first day is Friday and your new boss has casually flicked you the text:
“Just wear business casual.”

Or, you’ve finally schmoozed your way to an invite for that big ticket industry event. And as you’re scanning the details you see the dress code.

Yep, you guessed it.

And like any occasion that has a set attire, you want to make the right impression.

The good news? You’re in the right place to learn how.

Business casual is a dress code that has divided opinion for decades. It’s also the most common.

And as workplace dress codes become less formal, our research suggests it will become even more popular.

This article will define business casual attire, explore its history and key elements, and feature a complete style guide for each clothing type and for different industries of work.

We’ll also fill you in on some optional pieces, what not to wear, and some emerging business casual trends.

What Is Business Casual Attire?

Model wearing State & Liberty Dress Shirt and State & Liberty Stretch Suit Pants

Put simply:

Business casual for men = a button-down shirt, dress pants or khakis/chinos, and nice shoes.

As a general rule, business casual is less formal than a suit, but more formal than jeans.
Like any dress code, there are exceptions.

Model wearing Mizzen+Main Rockwell Vest

For one, you should always conform to company culture. If it’s an industry event, consider the dress culture of the industry as a whole.

As an example, if you’re in Silicon Valley, business casual is the same as formal: a black t-shirt, jeans, and a zip hoodie.

But if you’re a banker, business casual is a bit different. You might pair chinos and loafers with a tucked in polo and a woven belt.
And the older you are, the more you should err on the side of formality.

That said, millennial business casual isn’t all beanbags and hackie-sacks. Guys in their late 20’s to their early 40’s are ditching sneakers in favor of a more classy look like loafers, though the trend is still toward more slim and fitted clothes.

Business Casual Examples

This is a classic business casual outfit example for a more casual white collar environment.

The lilac dress shirt contrasts well with the check patterned charcoal dress pants and drives home the creative flair that business casual allows. The loafers and matching belt round out the outfit in traditional business casual style.

As a general rule, you’ll be fine with a collared shirt and slacks. So long as your clothes are ironed or steamed, you’ll look neat and put together, which is the most important consideration.

Of course, you don’t have to ditch the jacket entirely—you can still rock it with a few modifications. Here I’m wearing a classic navy blazer, but my shirt is a bright floral piece that really keeps things casual. I’m also sporting a tool-watch, which is on the relaxed, weekender side of the spectrum. In hindsight, I’d ditch the beaded bracelet. It looks a bit off, but I’m glad it’s there so you can see what works and what doesn’t.
Vests are fair game, but stick with either a quilted zip vest or a nylon puffer vest to keep it on the casual end of the spectrum.

Business Casual Dress Code for Men: The Essential Guide

These are the key guidelines for each individual clothing type that make up a standard business casual outfit.

The shirt is at the heart of any business casual outfit.

One major benefit to business casual is that it allows some leeway in terms of shirt styles. Again, your company culture will weigh in here.

Since you probably won’t be wearing a tie, opt for a shirt with a nicely fitted collar that hugs your neckline on its own.

Slim fit is still in trend, but if slim doesn’t fit your body type, stick to a classic fit.

A few of my favorite brands for comfortable, flexible shirts suited to an office environment are Mizzen + Main, and State & Liberty.

Mizzen + Main is a fantastic choice if you want to go classic all the way. I recommend them if you want a more fitted look than what your dad wore, but you still want that timeless, iconic businesswear feel.

State & Liberty is another top brand for me, but their shirts are much more slim. The brand advertises to athletes and bodybuilders, but I think they work really well for skinny guys who are really looking to cut out the tailor. If you’ve got more of a dad-bod, check out Mizzen + Main, but if you’ve been chiseling down, State & Liberty is more flattering.

Your business casual shirt should always be tucked in. Depending on your workplace (or the weather), chances are you won’t be wearing a jacket or additional layer at all times.

Because your shirt will be more prominently on display, it’s important that it’s not only tucked in, but tucked in properly

To be continued…

Nguồn: theadultman.com