The Ultimate Guide To Business Casual For Men
Men have been puzzled by the term ‘business casual’ since it first crept into the dress code lexicon. This oxymoron prompts plenty of questions, but mainly: What on earth do I wear? If you have an upcoming event or meeting that requires a business casual look and aren’t sure where to begin, fear not. This is your ultimate guide to all things business casual. Soon, you’ll be the talk of the boardroom…in the best way.
What Does Business Casual Actually Mean?
Understandably, business casual is a difficult concept to grasp. How can business be casual? Isn’t the whole point to look professional? The term has been around for a while, but it has taken on a new meaning in recent times. Only a few decades ago, men would have been looked down upon if they turned up to work in anything other than a formal suit jacket, tie and hat. Today, those rules no longer apply and the tides have turned on suits. But what rules do still apply?
As with ‘smart casual’ (read our guide to smart casual, here), this style is about bypassing the rule book and leaning into your intuition. Of course, there are a few items of clothing that are best left in your smart casual wardrobe, but for the most part, business casual is a chance for you to remain professional while embracing your unique sense of style.
Marc Jacobs once said, “To me, clothing is a form of self-expression – there are hints about who you are in what you wear,” and this is an excellent way to think about business casual. After all, studies have found that the clothes you wear can influence your psychological processes and behaviours. Business casual is an opportunity to remain professional, smart and serious about the work you do while layering in elements of your character.
The Evolution of Business Casual
The suit was first introduced as a status symbol of the elite back in the 18th century. Before the dot-com boom of the 1990s — which called for a more relaxed approach to office wear — suits dominated the business world. It’s unclear exactly when the term ‘business casual’ became a part of mainstream style jargon. As mentioned in our guide to smart casual, the phrase is thought to have been first mentioned in 1924 in an Iowa newspaper, however, this was in the context of women’s clothing. Another iteration of the term, known as ‘business casual’, became more common in the 50s.
According to Fortune Magazine, ‘Casual Fridays’ are thought to have originated thanks to a Hawaiian petition to allow Aloha shirts (also known as Hawaiian shirts) to be worn in the office. Up until the 1940s, office workers in Hawaii wore full business attire, but the Chamber of Commerce eventually petitioned to allow them to wear more casual clothing when the weather reached peak temperatures in the summer months. This became even more common in the 1960s, spreading across America and the rest of the world.
With the advent of startups and companies in Silicon Valley being run by teams of innovators and tech moguls rather than corporate higher-ups, business casual became much more common, accepted, and even expected. Turning up to a Silicon Valley office in a suit could be seen as ‘too corporate’. In recent years, even the Western corporate world has relaxed on the dress code front, and it would appear the pandemic served as a catalyst. With remote working now common, business casual is arguably the best way to show up to the office.
In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported sales of men’s suits had fallen by 8% in the previous four years, which signals a slow decline in the need and desire for formal office attire. While we don’t believe the suit will disappear completely from men’s wardrobes (it will always have its place), a new era of business casual is allowing men to switch things up.
Business Casual Versus Smart Casual
Let’s differentiate these two terms because they are often used interchangeably. The main thing to know is that business casual is primarily used in an office setting, or for business-related activities like informal job interviews or meeting clients outside of the office. Alternatively, smart casual is for social occasions: date nights, relaxed weddings or events. At the other end of the spectrum, there’s business formal, which usually refers to a tailored suit, a dress shirt, polished shoes, a silk tie and occasionally a waistcoat.
Business Casual Wardrobe Essentials
The great thing about men’s fashion is that it’s pretty straightforward to create a capsule wardrobe. Just a few items will create the business casual look, as well as smart casual and business formal alternatives. Building your business casual wardrobe should include items from both ends of the spectrum (casual and formal). Start by thinking about the types of events and activities you most regularly attend. If your office requests business casual but the rest of the time you live in exclusively casual items for lounging around the house or going out with friends, then think about how you can blend these two styles. Similarly, if you wear business casual to the office but regularly go to events that demand suiting up, you may need more items that sit on the other end of the formality scale. It’s always a good idea to keep a suit in your wardrobe; you could pair it with knitwear options to achieve the business casual look, keeping a couple of dress shirts to hand when the occasion calls for formal wear.
Alongside your suit, wardrobe staples might include a more casual unstructured blazer, a collection of dress shirts (both button-up and button-down), a selection of knitwear (classic jumpers or knitted polo shirts), a few pairs of tailored trousers, chinos, smart shoes (such as brogues or Oxfords), and a pair of smart boots.
When it comes to outerwear, a coat (such as a duffle coat or pea coat) is always useful for colder weather, or you could opt for a more casual jacket as long as it is a classic style like a bomber or Harrington. If you need another layer in winter, the knitted jacket is both stylish and smart.
Existing somewhere between business formal and smart casual, there is often more individuality involved in the business casual look. Don’t worry though, there is no official handbook read by all men that lays down the law of business casual, so your best guess will be as good as anyone else’s. So long as you appear smart, feel comfortable, and walk into the office confidently, you will look the part.
Seasonal Staples
A capsule wardrobe demands a few items for specific seasons. In spring, when the weather is warming up but there’s a slight chill, your wardrobe could remain much the same as described above, but accessories like a smart umbrella make a great addition. In summer, when the weather is warm, business casual requires more creativity. A lighter blazer with a button-up dress shirt is a great combination. Loafers and lighter chinos, or smart trousers may also be more comfortable in the heat. In autumn, you can dig out your favourite knitwear and layer your look to match the temperature. It’s usually a little cooler this time of year, so opt for lighter knits, but prepare for a cold stretch with a pair of smart boots. Finally, in winter, you can break out the chunker knits, heavier dress shirts, jackets, and winter accessories such as scarves and gloves.
Everything You Need To Know About Business Casual
To summarise our business casual guide, here are some key rules you can bookmark and refer to whenever needed.
● Take the dress code of your office into account. If unsure, look at what others (including your boss) are wearing.
● If in doubt, start with a full suit (considered formal business attire) and remove or replace items until you achieve a business casual look. It is always best to err on the side of business formal rather than smart casual.
● Consider the situation. Are you going to meet with a tech startup whose employees wear mainly casual clothes? Or perhaps you are meeting with your boss?
● Dress for the season and the weather.
● Lean into accessories such as smart watches or tie clips, but avoid logos or any embellishments.
Business casual can be interpreted in a myriad of ways, so don’t succumb to the fear of judgement. Look around you and take note of what your colleagues are wearing. Chances are, there will be a range of looks across the spectrum, from extremely formal to edging on casual, so if your wardrobe choices sit somewhere in the middle, you can confidently walk into any situation.