Your office dress code says “business casual.” So you do what most men do — khakis, a collared shirt, maybe a quarter-zip when the AC is cranked. You’re dressed. You’re not wrong. But you look exactly like every other guy in the building, and these business casual tips for men exist to fix that.
But this term can take on many different meanings for different people, depending on several factors, including age demographics, local culture, climate, and more.
All things considered, it can be a bit confusing to determine what business casual even means in today’s modern working world. Even harder is figuring out how to do business casual well.
First, we’ll pin down what business casual actually means and how to read your own office. Then ten upgrades — most of them using clothes you already own — that make you the sharpest guy in the room without looking like you tried too hard. Let’s get into it.
What Is Business Casual?
Throughout a great deal of the twentieth century, most if not all offices required their employees to dress in a manner that was considered “business professional.”
For men, this typically meant a suit, dress shirt, and tie. Depending on the industry, there were oftentimes stricter rules on what types of fabrics, colors, and patterns were deemed acceptable for the decorum of the workplace.
In late 1800s and early-to-mid 1900s England, where much of our western ideas of dress originate, men who held important and distinguished professional positions such as law typically only wore dark, worsted wool suits with conservative shoes, ties, and hats.
The phrase “no brown in town” was coined to refer to the common practice of designating more casual suiting (often in earth tones) for the countryside, while the businessman, working in the city, should only wear darker, more formal attire.
While some rules relaxed in future decades and as American professional style found its own unique footing, the suit-reliant uniform persisted across many industries.
However, many attribute the arrival of “business casual” to Silicon Valley workers in the 1980s, who seemingly chose to shirk traditional office attire in favor of a more relaxed look. Gone were the starched dress shirts and fine wool suits.
Khakis, patterned button-downs, and optional ties became the norm, and soon this phenomenon began to spread to other business sectors across the United States.
Levi Strauss poured fuel on the fire. In 1992 the company mailed a pamphlet called “A Guide to Casual Businesswear” to HR managers across the country, pitching its Dockers khakis as the new office uniform. It worked. Casual Fridays spread, and Friday slowly crept into the rest of the week.
Today, business casual has sometimes come to include jeans and even t-shirts in some circles. But at the same time, a suit can still be considered business casual if dressed down. It’s a bit confusing!
At its core, business casual rejects traditional suiting and ties as the cornerstone of office attire. In its wake, is a somewhat confusing set of loose guidelines, born out of the absence of other, older rules. And in that absence, a somewhat mediocre uniform has prevailed.
Think of the most typical, humdrum office outfit that you know. Or, if you’re sitting at your office desk or at a boardroom meeting, simply look down. Khakis? Some sort of collared shirt worn on its own? Tan shoes or white sneakers?
If that’s accurate, don’t sweat. You’re not committing any fashion crimes. But it can be better. Simply read on to discover how.
How To Read Your Office: The One-Notch Rule
Business casual at a law firm and business casual at a software startup are two different dress codes sharing one name. So before you change a single piece of clothing, figure out where your office actually sits.
Here’s the rule I give every guy who asks: dress one notch above your office’s average. Never two.
Look at what most men around you wear on a normal Tuesday. If it’s khakis and a polo, you wear chinos and an oxford cloth button-down. If it’s chinos and a button-down, add a sport coat or a good sweater. If the sport coat is already standard, that’s your cue for a casual suit in cotton or flannel. One notch makes you look like the guy who has his act together. Two notches makes people wonder if you’re interviewing somewhere else.
Two quick checks keep you honest:
- The boss test. Notice what your boss — and your boss’s boss — wears on an ordinary day. Never dress more casually than they do.
- The client test. If a client walked in unannounced, could you shake their hand without apologizing for your outfit? Keep a navy blazer at the office for the days you can’t predict.
Still fuzzy on where business casual ends and smart casual begins? Our guide to business casual vs. smart casual vs. dress casual lays them side by side.
The Business Casual Upgrade Chart
What most men wear, and the one-notch-up swap that fixes it
Read your office first: the right upgrade is one notch above what the men around you wear.
Tip #1: Layer Up
One of the problems that often comes up with the typical business casual uniform is that things feel a bit too flat. By abandoning the suit, these outfits often lack an additional layer, which, as most fashion-conscious people are aware, lends an outfit a great deal of visual depth and interest.
You can keep your jeans, khakis, oxford shirts, and the like. The problem isn’t always inherent in those pieces – it’s in what the outfit is still lacking.
The answer? A finishing layer! A casual sport coat or blazer will always work. Some may falsely assume this is considered “dressy,” but if the jacket is in a casual cloth like tweed or linen, it will mesh quite well with the rest of your ensemble.
Another way to add an additional layer to your outfits is through quality knitwear. You know, sweaters! Whether you prefer a pullover crew-neck, v-neck, quarter-zip, or cardigan, a good piece of knitwear is guaranteed to add some extra interest to your outfit, and even elevate it.
Tip #2: All Natural, Baby
Yes, we understand that many people find athleisure fabrics to be quite comfortable. But there are certainly other ways to be comfortable without your outfit clearly exhibiting a synthetic look.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with your favorite stretch-fabric slacks, but you can often spot them from a mile away. Natural fiber fabrics often look better and when the clothing article fits you properly, can be just as comfortable, if not more. Additionally, natural fibers tend to last longer.
There’s an understated elegance to wearing quality fabrics. Try saving the stretchy stuff for the gym. It’s a subtle change that can go a long way.
Tip #3: The Color/Texture/Pattern Theory
It’s a common fashion idiom that still rings true – if your outfit isn’t interesting through color, then it should be interesting through texture. And if your outfit isn’t interesting through texture, it should be interesting through pattern. And if you’re feeling confident, why not try all three?
One of the larger issues with many business casual uniforms is that they simply scream “generic.” More accurately, they’re often dull in color, flat in texture, or uninspiring in pattern.
Try swapping out one piece for another in a color that you really like. Or perhaps trade your chinos for some corduroy pants. Replace your plain merino wool crew-neck sweater with a Fair Isle knit instead.
Once you begin to understand this trifecta, your style sense will improve dramatically. Oh, and you’re bound to receive some compliments, too.
Tip #4: Mix Dressy And Casual The Right Way
You might have tried pairing jeans and a more formal shirt before, and wondered why it didn’t quite work. It can be very tricky to figure out how to combine two pieces on opposite sides of the formality spectrum. But it’s the details of each piece that make or break the deal.
If you’re looking to wear denim with a dressier shirt, make sure the fit of each complements the other. You don’t want one skin-tight and the other billowy. When in doubt, aim for a straight, traditional fit.
It can take some time to acquire the right eye for high – low contrast outfits. A no fail option? Try pairing straight or boot-cut jeans in a classic wash with a western denim shirt, or even a white or blue oxford cloth button down. Top it off with a navy blazer (gold buttons seal the deal!) and you’ve got a great outfit that mixes the best of both worlds with masterful synergy. Just look at Austin Butler. He gets it.
Tip #5: Better Fitting Pants
Outfit proportions are incredibly important. Unfortunately, this is a common stumbling block for lots of guys. Most pants on the market are tight in all the wrong places and have painfully low rises. The result? They make your legs look awkward and short.
It’s time to upgrade your work khakis or jeans. Try going for a more classic, roomy fit and a higher rise. The waist should come up a bit more than you might be accustomed to, and if you want to pack an even bigger visual punch, go for something with pleats. The final result will be a lower half that appears balanced with your upper, and your legs will often look longer, too.
Tapered and skinny fits have their place, but for a lot of body types, they just make you look top-heavy. Your work outfits can appear significantly more balanced with a more generous fit. Try it out and see for yourself!
Then take them to your tailor. Off-the-rack pants are cut for an average man who doesn’t exist. Hemming to a slight break, taking in the waist, and slimming a leg that flares are simple jobs, and they usually cost less than a new pair. It’s the cheapest upgrade in this article. If you’ve never worked with one, here’s how to talk to your tailor so you get what you asked for.
Tip #6: Start Loafing Around
Picking the right shoes can be a bit challenging when it comes to business casual. In many workplaces, common footwear variations often include tan derbies or dress shoes, white-soled dress shoe/sneaker hybrids, or classic white sneakers.
A subtle way to elevate your business casual outfit without going overboard or overly formal, lies in the versatility and enduring style of the loafer shoe.
Loafers can be dressed up or down with ease, and lend a polished touch to nearly any outfit. Wear them with chinos. Wear them with jeans. Wear them with suits. It doesn’t matter – they just work!
Black and brown loafers will typically be the most versatile colors. A simple, penny loafer is quite neutral, while a more decorated tassel loafer tends to lean a bit more casual.
A loafer with a lug-sole has a slightly more rugged appeal that’s still classy enough for the boardroom. Whichever suits your taste, loafers are an invaluable style hack, especially for business casual.
Tip #7: Upgrade That Bag
Backpacks have their place, but their association with students might take away from an otherwise professional look. If you have a lot to carry, try swapping out your backpack for a leather messenger bag, or even a sleeker, modern take on the briefcase.
Traveling light? Try an elegant leather folio instead. For something in-between, a tasteful tote bag is perfectly appropriate for business casual settings.
Tip #8: The Polo, Perfected
Polo shirts are classic, but they can be a bit dull if left on their own. Many men opt for polo shirts as a short-sleeved option during warmer months. It can be hard to layer once it gets hot, after all.
However, polos can be elevated, too! Knit polos are a vintage classic that have made quite the comeback in recent years. If fitted correctly, they can be a highly flattering and stylish choice.
Due to warmer climates inhibiting our ability to layer sometimes, it pays to remember tip #3. If you’re looking to add more texture, consider a cable-knit polo. They have an extra dose of visual appeal while still conforming to the overall configuration of a traditional polo.
Tip #9: Suit Up (Casually)!
When others go low, try going high. In this context, we mean that in terms of office attire. Of course, if no one else is wearing a suit at your workplace, as will often be the case in some business casual environments, make sure you do it correctly.
That means – do it casually. Opt for a suit made from a casual fabric such as cotton, linen, corduroy, or tweed. Pair it with an oxford cloth button down or denim shirt to keep things grounded. If you’re feeling a bit bold, add a tie! Just go for a casual option such as a cotton, linen, or knit tie.
Tip #10: Own The Details — Frames, Watch, And Belt
Business casual takes away the suit and tie, so the small stuff carries more weight. People notice details up close — across a desk, in a meeting, on a video call. Get these three right.
Frames. If you wear glasses, they’re the first thing anyone sees on your face, so treat them like part of your wardrobe. Pick a shape that contrasts your face (rectangular frames for a round face, rounder frames for a square jaw) and a color that works with what you own — tortoiseshell goes with every brown and navy in your closet. Skip the blue-light lenses unless you just like the look; a 2023 Cochrane review found they likely do nothing for eye strain. The 20-20-20 rule does more: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Watch. A simple watch on a leather strap or steel bracelet finishes a business casual outfit the way a tie used to. Keep the dial clean and the case modest. If you wear a smartwatch, give it a leather band on office days.
Belt. Your belt should match your shoes — brown with brown, black with black — and it shouldn’t be cracked, peeling, or punched with an extra hole you made at the kitchen table. A plain leather belt with a small, simple buckle is all you need. Leave the logo buckles at home.
5 Business Casual Mistakes Men Make
I see these every week in airports, offices, and hotel lobbies. Every one of them is easy to fix.
1. Wearing a suit jacket as a blazer. A suit jacket is smooth worsted wool cut to match its pants. Wear it with chinos and it looks like you lost the other half. A sport coat has texture — tweed, hopsack, flannel, linen — and is built to be worn on its own.
2. Clothes that don’t fit. Collars that gap, sleeves past the thumb, pants pooling over the shoes. Fit beats brand, price, and trend every time. Go back to Tip #5 and find a tailor.
3. The wrinkled shirt. Business casual is relaxed, not rumpled. Hang your shirts as soon as they come out of the dryer and keep a steamer by the closet. An oxford cloth button-down forgives a lot; a thin poplin shirt forgives nothing.
4. Gym shoes at the office. Running shoes and chunky trainers drag the whole outfit toward Saturday. If your office allows sneakers, wear clean, minimal leather ones in white, cream, or brown — and keep them clean.
5. Logos and slogans. A big logo turns you into a billboard. The best business casual outfits show no branding at all.
Fix these five and you’re already ahead of most men in your building.
Business Casual FAQ
Are jeans business casual?
In many offices, yes — as long as they’re dark, clean, and fit like trousers. No rips, no fading, no heavy whiskering. Dress them up with an oxford shirt, a sport coat, and leather shoes. Check your office first, though: in law, finance, and client-facing roles, jeans are often still a Friday-only move. Here’s more on wearing jeans to work.
Can you wear sneakers with business casual?
If the men in your office wear them, yes. Choose minimal leather sneakers in white, cream, brown, or navy with no big logos. Running shoes, gym trainers, and anything neon are out. When in doubt, loafers or suede chukkas are the safer play.
Is a polo business casual?
Yes, in most offices — especially in summer. Pick a polo with a collar that holds its shape, or go with a knit polo (Tip #8). Wear it with chinos or trousers, never shorts.
Do you need a tie for business casual?
No. Business casual makes the tie optional. But a knit or wool tie with an oxford shirt and a sport coat is a strong one-notch-up move for a big meeting, and nobody will tell you you’re overdressed.
Tying It All Together
By now, hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two about elevating your office attire. Business casual can often be a bit hard to understand, and even trickier to pull off correctly.
In the absence of hard-set style rules that once ruled the professional workplace, the default outfit often lacks a bit of flavor. But through thoughtful choices and careful understanding of how individual items play into one another, you can upgrade your business casual wardrobe in no time.
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