The Guide to Business Casual

The last few years have brought about a radical change in how people dress for work. Go back 60 years and it would be a major faux pas to turn up to the office in anything less than a full suit and tie. Even 15 years ago, wearing jeans to the office would have been frowned upon. But those days are gone and, with more people working from home, the work style rules have been upended. How do you navigate the new ‘business casual’ trend with sartorial aplomb? We show you how in our handy guide.

Look at your Organisation or industry

The dress code between workplaces can vary from super casual to super smart. It’s always a good idea to see what the rules are in your office. If it’s more casual, you can lean towards a look that involves jeans and a smart t-shirt or polo shirt. If it’s edging towards smarter, then chinos and a casual jacket can be a great look. If it’s smarter, then a two or three-piece suit is a fantastic look, or a smart shift dress. Dress codes vary between industries, with the tech world being known for more of a casual look and other areas (such as law and banking) being more traditional and formal. There are some great ways to combine both smart and casual, which we’ll go on to explore now.

Chinos

Chinos are an excellent choice for business casual chic. They can be dressed up with a smart jacket and crisp shirt, for a more formal look. Or you can keep it more casual with a soft cashmere jumper or polo shirt. Chinos are also an excuse to play with colour. You might choose a more neutral colour, that can go with a variety of different tops and jackets. You could also go for another pair in a more daring colour like pink, which can either be paired with an equally daring jacket, or a more subtle top.

Contrast

A lot of our clients choose to have some suits made in basic colours, such as grey, navy and black. These colours will stand the test of time and never go out of fashion. To mix up their look and have more of a casual appearance, some choose to have a contrasting jacket or a couple of pairs of trousers in a contrasting cloth. Some also decide to have an extra waistcoat in a different cloth and wear this with trousers and a shirt. Not only does this increase the longevity of the suit but it also gives you some great looks to try out at work. Paired with a polo neck or a more casual t-shirt, this can give you some business casual flair.

The Sports Jacket / Standalone Blazer

The sports jacket is a must have in everyone’s wardrobe. It’s amazing how this one item can smarten up your whole look and make you feel confident and sleek. A traditional tweed jacket looks great in the winter. For a day-to-night look, a jacket in velvet can look smart in the office and elegant on a night out.

Accessories

Whether an outfit looks more or less casual, will depend on the accessories you put with it. A tweed jacket (as mentioned above) can be made into more of a casual weekend / evening outfit by pairing it with a blanket scarf and flat cap. A three-piece suit, while seen as a traditional, more formal look, can become more casual with the addition of trainers and a relaxed t-shirt. A well-styled hat can also add some sartorial flair to the overall look.

If you'd like to discuss your casual wardrobe with us, book a consultation or contact us today.