Business casual… the grey area in dressing. First off, I’d like to start with saying that business casual can vary drastically depending on where you work. A great example of this would be in the banking industry where business casual is nothing more than loosening your power tie. The other end of the spectrum would have to be the computer/tech industry where jeans can be an acceptable attire option for this vague dress code. If your office chair is a beanbag or bouncing ball, chances are you might not have a set of rules on your attire.
In general, business casual is defined as something between formal dressing and your everyday street wear. Ok, that isn’t very helpful… but never fear, I have a few tips. For men, one should still stick with a collared shirt, whether this is a polo shirt or a dress shirt. Secondly, there is no need to wear a tie, although I enjoy doing it anyway. Brooks Brothers, among other retailers, has kind of made this distinction very easy by having a “sport shirt” category. These shirts are usually very acceptable options for the business casual. The shirts should not be buttoned all the way up and if you are feeling adventurous you can even unbutton the top two, TWO buttons - - sleeve rolling is optional, yet usually desired. Haven't you ever seen how politicians love to roll their sleeves when visiting more casual areas? It says "hey, even though I may not be dressed to the nines, I am still here to dig in and get stuff done", and that IS what you want to convey while in a work setting.
For the lower half of the body, a great option is the chino pant… more commonly referred to as “khakis”. These come in a variety of colors and fits, so get out and pick up a new pair. Dockers, one of the leaders in the whole khaki revolution many years ago, has revamped their image and come out with fashionable fits at very reasonable price points. Depending on your office, jeans may also be acceptable but stick with the dark washes. Oh, and if your jeans have holes or stains, leave those at home as well... yes I know that Ralph Lauren gets away with it, but you aren't him. Perhaps check out Gilded Age or Adriano Goldschmied.
And never forget to pay some due attention to your footwear. Many men like to wear slip-on style shoes for these occasions and, provided the weather is warm, “sans socks” is okay as well. I lean towards the tan or brown wingtips, but to each his own. Sandals are not even close to being acceptable, so put those back in your closet. Finally, if you are still a little iffy on if you are hitting the mark, throw on a navy blazer… a great option for those wavering situations. Although, since it can be so hot in my office, I will go with a lightweight vest instead.
Final Verdict: Remember that you are still at work and should reflect the values of your company, but there is no reason why you can't do it stylishly.
In general, business casual is defined as something between formal dressing and your everyday street wear. Ok, that isn’t very helpful… but never fear, I have a few tips. For men, one should still stick with a collared shirt, whether this is a polo shirt or a dress shirt. Secondly, there is no need to wear a tie, although I enjoy doing it anyway. Brooks Brothers, among other retailers, has kind of made this distinction very easy by having a “sport shirt” category. These shirts are usually very acceptable options for the business casual. The shirts should not be buttoned all the way up and if you are feeling adventurous you can even unbutton the top two, TWO buttons - - sleeve rolling is optional, yet usually desired. Haven't you ever seen how politicians love to roll their sleeves when visiting more casual areas? It says "hey, even though I may not be dressed to the nines, I am still here to dig in and get stuff done", and that IS what you want to convey while in a work setting.
For the lower half of the body, a great option is the chino pant… more commonly referred to as “khakis”. These come in a variety of colors and fits, so get out and pick up a new pair. Dockers, one of the leaders in the whole khaki revolution many years ago, has revamped their image and come out with fashionable fits at very reasonable price points. Depending on your office, jeans may also be acceptable but stick with the dark washes. Oh, and if your jeans have holes or stains, leave those at home as well... yes I know that Ralph Lauren gets away with it, but you aren't him. Perhaps check out Gilded Age or Adriano Goldschmied.
And never forget to pay some due attention to your footwear. Many men like to wear slip-on style shoes for these occasions and, provided the weather is warm, “sans socks” is okay as well. I lean towards the tan or brown wingtips, but to each his own. Sandals are not even close to being acceptable, so put those back in your closet. Finally, if you are still a little iffy on if you are hitting the mark, throw on a navy blazer… a great option for those wavering situations. Although, since it can be so hot in my office, I will go with a lightweight vest instead.
Final Verdict: Remember that you are still at work and should reflect the values of your company, but there is no reason why you can't do it stylishly.
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