What is Business Casual?

Business casual attire, by definition, is a style that is not as formal as traditional office wear, but is smarter than your weekend jeans and T-shirt combination. The concept of business casual can be traced to the 1980s Silicon Valley tech world, where young and talented achievers began revolutionising the workplace. For these influential upstarts, the dress code had to be relaxed to ensure the many consecutive hours (maybe days) spent in front of a screen was as comfortable as possible.

When Can I wear Business Casual?

It is widely accepted in many offices, mainly in creative environments, to sport a business casual look to work. As digital communication has become part of our modern work lifestyle, so has this need for a more informal way of dressing, resulting in the demise of the classic corporate uniform aka the conservative suit, shirt and tie combo. This does not mean it is acceptable to turn up to a meeting (IRL or a video call if working from home) in jersey jogging bottoms and a hoodie – a business casual look should still evoke an air of sophistication and err on the side of smart, but with added elements of ease. Some employers encourage a business casual dress code because, while it still looks professional, it also exudes a relaxed and confident vibe, which is especially important when dealing with clients and/or partners. Read on to get an idea of what constitutes a business casual dress code.

What is a Business Casual Dress Code?

A business casual dress code is neat, ironed and well-fitted. The condition of your clothes makes a more considerable difference than the style. For example; your business casual white T-shirt is not the one you’ve had for years and wear to take the dog out, it’s the one that is well cut well and hangs well. Fortunate for those wanting to reveal their personality. Business through their style, business casual gives license to more fashion-forward or patterned clothing, as long as the garment is pressed and does not clash with any other elements of the outfit.

What is Business Casual for Men?

For men wanting to achieve the ultimate business casual look, it’s important to master the key wardrobe basics, which are: a blazer, a collared shirt in either solid colour or prints, a fine knit sweater, a polo shirt, and a pair of well-fitted trousers. Jeans seem to be widely accepted as appropriate business casual wear as long as they are not ripped or faded; to be considered part of a business casual look, denim should be paired with a top that’s more on the smarter side, such as a well-fitted or tailored shirt. Polo shirts are considered acceptable in warmer months. If you want to play it safe, chinos are a good option as the clean seams offer a polished finish. As for footwear, it should be carefully considered and chosen in accordance to the rest of the outfit. The two general rules are: 1. If you wear a suit with a T-shirt, opt for something casual, such a pair of leather trainers. And 2, If you’re sporting dark, well-fitted jeans with a blazer and a shirt, a pair of lace up shoes will make a sleek addition to your overall ensemble.