Business casual for men – etiquette and examples of a successful outfit

There are some dress codes that are easy to understand, such as black tie. Unfortunately, business casual is not one of them. Finding the balance between business and casual is not that easy to make a positive impression. For many men, business casual means a polo shirt, beige chinos and boat shoes. While this outfit can be great for a Saturday on the golf course with the boss, it’s not ideal for the office. Business casual means something less formal than a suit and tie, but it shouldn’t look too casual. So what should you wear?

Choose formal shirts that you can pair with a suit, but feel free to add more patterns. Less formal collar types such as the button-down collar add a sporty note and guarantee a neat appearance even without a tie. You should avoid polo shirts, however.

The shirts can be worn with either an open collar or a less formal tie. If you go to work without a tie, you can leave the top two buttons open. Make sure your undershirt is not sticking out.

The pants make up most of the business casual look. This is where you can show your personality, so have the courage to use color. The fit is very important. Make sure the pants only cover your socks and are no longer. Suit pants made of cotton and wool are perfect. Avoid pleats to make your outfit look modern.

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The main question is, are jeans business casual? The answer: yes and no. It is basically possible to integrate jeans into business fashion clothing. Of course, if your job allows it.

First the no-gos:

• No distressed jeans
• No jeans with whiskers and tears
• No washes with harsh contrasts
• No baggy style etc..

A business top should be combined with jeans. So the look of dark blue straight-leg jeans and a simple button-down shirt is fine for the office.

Of course, not every day is warm and sunny so some type of jacket is needed. Maintain your professional image with a well-tailored blazer. A couple of basic blazers in gray and navy blue are a good choice for the business-casual wardrobe. Avoid metal buttons or eye-catching patterns so that the part can be combined in many ways. Patch pockets and subtle patterns like herringbone or a light tweed fabric are a great way to reduce the formality.

Shoes are one of the most important stylists for your business-casual outfit. Avoid both poles of the spectrum of formality: for example pointed shoes or chucks. Instead, choose suede brogues, chukka boots, or brown leather chelsea boots. Invest in quality shoes – it’s the best style investment you will make.